? about cordite loads - The Firearms Forum

soundguy · 05-31-2012, 12:24 PM

question.. were cordite loads ( like say.. 303 brit ) were they loaded by weight of the cordite pieces ( grains? ) or were they loaded by volume ( length of a particular diameter cordite straw.

also.. was the cordite loaded into the brass before it was sized and necked, ie.. while still straight wall?

thanks

soundguy

Hammerslagger · 05-31-2012, 01:02 PM

This link covers the Cordite subject well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordite

Before WW II (and somewhat beyond) propellant manufacture (and a lot of other things) was not as consistent as they are today, because of technology shortfalls. Nitro propellants typically had a greater batch to batch variance than is typical today. A batch of powder that met certain chemical and performance characteristics would be marked as "Canister Lot" for sale to small, custom ammo makers and the retail reloading public. Other powders that were made and intended to be for example "Bullseye or Unique", but did not meet "Canister Lot" specifications, would be sold to large ammo makers with a manufacturer's lab report for the batch. The large ammo maker (that had pressure test and chronograph equipment) would then have to determine the appropriate uses and charges for the batch of powder involved.

JLA · 05-31-2012, 06:33 PM

So far as I understand Cordite came in sticks and was stuffed into the case and had a bullet jammed on top of it. Alot like BP, except the Cordite was somewhat smokeless and came in compressed sticks.

jack404 · 05-31-2012, 06:43 PM

sound guy no they loaded then as we load now
case completed
then primed
then loaded
and projectile added and crimped

soundguy · 05-31-2012, 06:48 PM

only reson I asked is because I pulled some 303 and the cordite was. well.. packed in soooo tight that it could not be extracted from the necked down case mouth/throat.

a couple had cracked brass / seperating heads.. thus I pulled the cordite out the back... guess mybee I could have use tweezers and damaged it extracting it out the case mouth.. but it was packed in their tight..that's why i wondered about the neck formation before / aftrer.

thanks

jack404 · 05-31-2012, 06:53 PM

as it absorbs moisture it expands , absorbing water is not good ..

soundguy · 05-31-2012, 06:53 PM

neat lil bit of history I read said that cordite was used in one of triggers for the nukes we hit with in ww2.. dunno if it was lilboy or not.. but am thinking it was.

soundguy · 05-31-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack404

as it absorbs moisture it expands , absorbing water is not good ..

that must be it. the cases I pulled were cracked... that answers it.. thanks.

i was wondering how they got that much cordite into that small hole without deforming the sticks..

medalguy · 05-31-2012, 10:09 PM

My understanding is that the cordite sticks were loaded into straight walled .303 cases and a cardboard disc placed on top of the powder, then the case was necked and sized to receive the bullet. If you look closely inside the case, you will probably see the cardboard disc. It's larger than the bullet diameter, so it couldn't be set in place if the case were already necked down.

And the case neck splitting is probably just age cracking of brittle brass. I don't think it would absorb sufficient moisture to have the pressure to do that.

jack404 · 05-31-2012, 10:14 PM

like this ?

05-31-2012, 12:24 PM	#1
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,406	? about cordite loads question.. were cordite loads ( like say.. 303 brit ) were they loaded by weight of the cordite pieces ( grains? ) or were they loaded by volume ( length of a particular diameter cordite straw. also.. was the cordite loaded into the brass before it was sized and necked, ie.. while still straight wall? thanks soundguy -->

05-31-2012, 01:02 PM	#2
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: ? about cordite loads This link covers the Cordite subject well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordite Before WW II (and somewhat beyond) propellant manufacture (and a lot of other things) was not as consistent as they are today, because of technology shortfalls. Nitro propellants typically had a greater batch to batch variance than is typical today. A batch of powder that met certain chemical and performance characteristics would be marked as "Canister Lot" for sale to small, custom ammo makers and the retail reloading public. Other powders that were made and intended to be for example "Bullseye or Unique", but did not meet "Canister Lot" specifications, would be sold to large ammo makers with a manufacturer's lab report for the batch. The large ammo maker (that had pressure test and chronograph equipment) would then have to determine the appropriate uses and charges for the batch of powder involved.

05-31-2012, 06:33 PM	#3
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,305	Re: ? about cordite loads So far as I understand Cordite came in sticks and was stuffed into the case and had a bullet jammed on top of it. Alot like BP, except the Cordite was somewhat smokeless and came in compressed sticks. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

05-31-2012, 06:43 PM	#4
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: ? about cordite loads sound guy no they loaded then as we load now case completed then primed then loaded and projectile added and crimped

05-31-2012, 06:48 PM	#5
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,406	Re: ? about cordite loads only reson I asked is because I pulled some 303 and the cordite was. well.. packed in soooo tight that it could not be extracted from the necked down case mouth/throat. a couple had cracked brass / seperating heads.. thus I pulled the cordite out the back... guess mybee I could have use tweezers and damaged it extracting it out the case mouth.. but it was packed in their tight..that's why i wondered about the neck formation before / aftrer. thanks

05-31-2012, 06:53 PM	#6
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: ? about cordite loads as it absorbs moisture it expands , absorbing water is not good ..

05-31-2012, 06:53 PM	#7
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,406	Re: ? about cordite loads neat lil bit of history I read said that cordite was used in one of triggers for the nukes we hit with in ww2.. dunno if it was lilboy or not.. but am thinking it was.

05-31-2012, 10:09 PM	#9
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: ? about cordite loads My understanding is that the cordite sticks were loaded into straight walled .303 cases and a cardboard disc placed on top of the powder, then the case was necked and sized to receive the bullet. If you look closely inside the case, you will probably see the cardboard disc. It's larger than the bullet diameter, so it couldn't be set in place if the case were already necked down. And the case neck splitting is probably just age cracking of brittle brass. I don't think it would absorb sufficient moisture to have the pressure to do that.

05-31-2012, 10:14 PM	#10
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: ? about cordite loads like this ?