7.62x51mm NATO Ammunition – RG Headstamps

[EagleEyes]

I have a few 7.62x51mm NATO Rounds manufactured by RG (Radway Green) but I’m having difficulty understanding the meaning of some headstamps?
RG 82 L13A1 - BLANK
RG 98 (+) COMP - 155 grn Sniper MATCH
RG 99 (+) L5A3 - TRACER (775m Trace)
RG 05 (+) L42A1 - 155 grn Sniper MATCH
RG 06 (+) L42A3 - 155 grn Sniper MATCH
RG 07 (+) L42A2 - 155 grn Sniper MATCH
RG 07 (+) L44A1 - 144 grn Ball
RG 07 (+) L45A1 - 144 grn Ball
Is there a published list of the L designators for RG ammunition?

I have a quite a few 7.62x51 inert, fired & live rounds (single & belted) which are up for swaps, if anybody is interested contact me using PM.

I’m currently looking for RG rounds from years 70, 72, 73, 81, 83, 84, 86 - 89, 96, 97, 00 - 02 & 09.
__________________
Cheers
Andy

[falcon5nz]

Here is a list of some L-Codes. Unsure if it is all of them but hope it helps.

Round Drill
L1A1
L1A2

Round Ball
L2A1
L2A2 Strengthened case
L2A3 Modified Cap composition
L2A4 Ball Powder
L11A1 Raufoss Norway
L15A1 Hirtenberger
L16A1 Raufoss
L17A1 FFV*
L18A1 Hirtenberger*
L19A1 SFM*
L20A1 FN*
L21A1 FNM
L22A1 Raufoss*
L30A1 MEN*
L37A1 FNM
L38A1 Match Ball
L40A1 ?
L42A1 Match Ball
L42A2 “
L42A3 “

Round Inspection
L3A1

Round Practice Ball
L14A1 DAG plastic short range

Round Tracer
L5A1 1000metre trace
L5A2 Bright ignition
L5A3 775 metre trace
L5A4 Ball powder
L5A5 Modified ballistics
L23A1 FFV*
L24A1 Hirtenberger*
L25A1 SFM*
L26A1 FN*
L27A1 FNM*
L28A1 Raufoss*
L29A1 MEN*

Round Proof
L4A1

Cartridge Grenade
L1A1
L1A2

Cartridge Blank
L10A1 FN
L10A2 FN
L13A1 Lightened Case
L13A2 “
L13A3 “
L14A1 MEN
L31A1 Hirtengerger
L32A1 FN*
L33A1 FNM*
L34A1 MEN*

[TonyE]

Falcon NZ - I think the basis of your list probably came from me, as it contains the same error as was in the list I originally published. The Blank L10A2 was not made by FN, but was the first British made blank at RG.

Recent additions to the list are:
Ball
L44A1 RG
L45A1 RG
L46A1 CBC Brazil

Blank
L13A4 RG
L43A1 RG
L? CBC Brazil

Eagle Eyes - I need live rounds of L42A1, L44A1 and L45A1 if you have them. (I have a suitably varied FAC) Are you an ECRA member and are you going to Bisley next week?

Most of your headstamps are explained in the above list, but the "RG COMP" was a match round that was a forerunner of the L42 with a 155 grn boat tailed match bullet. The difference between the L42A1, A2 and A3 is the supplier of the powder and primers. I have the list somewhere of which was which but cannot remember at the moment.

Regards
TonyE

[Tony Williams]

The L40A1 is based on the SAP 5.56mm SS109 round, with a hardened steel element in the nose. It's been NATO qualified but (last I heard) not bought by anyone yet. Not much call for it in A'stan.

The UK does have a habit of introducing a new designation for every variation (inc different suppliers) in case, primer, propellant and bullet, and apparently picking the numbers at random...

The latest 5.56mm ball round in service is the L17A2...just a different supplier for primer or propellant (I forget which).

[EagleEyes]

Thanks TonyE for the info.

Are RG: COMP, L42A1, L44A1 & L45A1 all 155 gr FMJBT Match Rounds or are they different in some way?

Is Match the same as Sniper ammunition or just produced for the civilian market?

[falcon5nz]

Tony.
It was you and if I had been able to remember who it was when I posted I would have credited you.
Nick

[smle2009]

The L40A1 is based on the SAP 5.56mm SS109 round, with a hardened steel element in the nose. It's been NATO qualified but (last I heard) not bought by anyone yet. Not much call for it in A'stan.

The UK does have a habit of introducing a new designation for every variation (inc different suppliers) in case, primer, propellant and bullet, and apparently picking the numbers at random...

The latest 5.56mm ball round in service is the L17A2...just a different supplier for primer or propellant (I forget which).

Hi Tony,
The latest 5.56mm ball in service is the Swiss manufactured L21A1.
Cheers
Tony

[Tony Williams]

Jeez, I can't keep up with them all.....I hope someone is keeping a running score!

[TonyE]

Thanks TonyE for the info.

Are RG: COMP, L42A1, L44A1 & L45A1 all 155 gr FMJBT Match Rounds or are they different in some way?

Is Match the same as Sniper ammunition or just produced for the civilian market?

Sorry, but I thought I had answered this, but obviously my addled brain mislead me!

Only the L42 is a 155grn target/sniper load. The L45 and L46 are normal ball rounds with standard 144 grn bullets AFAIK.

The L42 is supplied to the military as match and sniper ammunition and was also supplied to the National Rifle Association for civilian use.

However, this is no longer the case as the NRA now use RUAG match ammo from Switzerland.

Regards
TonyE

[smle2009]

Jeez, I can't keep up with them all.....I hope someone is keeping a running score!

These rounds first showed up on our ranges in 2007 also with a blank version,neither had L Nos, ball was headstamped T 07-7 and nato mark,the same year they were headstamped T L21A1 07 and nato mark,have never come across a L No blank,at present it seems we are using the ball "T's" but have gone back the using RG manufactured L18A1 blank.
These ball rounds also come with the horrid grey plastic chargers you may have seen about!
Cheers
Tony