Continuing my exploration of a local WW2 airfield, I recently dug up the bullet on the left of the three shown. Unlike the “normal” .303s that I find, this one is longer and has a rounded base completely covered by the copper jacket. Is this what is known as a “boat tail?” And if so when were they in use? The airfield was run by RAF until end of the war, and then used by the Army for Doomsday training. Thanks for your consideration. AndyK
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Unusual.303 round.
- Thread starter AndyK
- Start date
I would suggest your bullet with the rounded base is a MKVII.G / G MKI tracer. Introduced at the end of the First World War and manufactured up until 1937 (perhaps later). There appears to be a small hole in the base of your bullet, which matches with the trace exit hole. This is not what is referred to as boat tail, though. See the image below, of a MK VIII .303, with a true boat tail.
