Kynoch 303 SL

[TonyE]

I already have this article scanned.

As you are an IAA member I am sure Roger will not mind if I send it to you. Drop me an e-mail and I will get it to you.

Regards
TonyE

[ydnum303]

Hi all,

Further to my previous post, I have now done a bit more research on this, and pulled a few rounds to see what is inside.

Although I originally stated that the charge in a round that I pulled was cordite, it transpires that the batch concerned were for use by the military in certain tests. The rounds for the civilian market were all loaded with nitro-cellulose.

A round with the h/s K 37 303.S.L. was loaded with 40.5 grains of flat square (or diamond-shaped) flakes, and the bullet weighed 175.3 grains and had a smooth boat-tail, and a cannelure (my 1933 and 1934 dated ones do not seem to have this). The brass-primed case weighed 179.1 grains.

One of the undated post-1946 rounds (h/s KYNOCH 303 S.L.) had 39.3 grains of powder of a cylindrical shape, the bullet again weighing 175.3 grains and with a cannelure, but this time the boat-tail had a distinct "step" to it. The primed case weighed 181.4 grains. (The NRA Journal for 1948 states that the change from flake to tubular powder occurred in that year.)

Finally, I took a round from a 1959-dated packet. This had a h/s KYNOCH 303.S.L., a charge of 39.1 grains of cylindrical powder, and the bullet weighed 175.6 grains, and the step in the boat-tail, although still present, was somewhat less pronounced. The primed case weighed 185.4 grains.

Overall length of each of these was about 3.07".

Some of those made in 1947 apparently have the head painted gloss black (rather than stannic-stained), and I was told that they were intended for the British shooters in the 1948 Olympics.

R.

[peashooter]

many thanks
Richard.