DOCSLIB.ORG

Refining Paper-Patched Loads for Smokeless Powder

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Refining Paper-Patched Loads for Smokeless Powder Bench Topics by Mike Fairbanks Refining Paper-Patched Loads for Smokeless Powder n a recent column, I investi- gated the relationship between Ia bullet’s prepatched diameter and its grouping ability. After test- ing a series of bullet diameters in four different rifles, two sweet spots were identified: bullets right at or slightly larger than bore diameter and again when bullet diameter ap- proached groove diameter. Due to the difficulties associated with the groove diameter slugs, a prepatched diameter at or slightly larger than bore is recommended. A simple test of fit would be to try to slide the Test loads - note the waterproofed patches on bullets at left. naked bullet into the muzzle. If it slips in with a slight resistance, it’s that a smooth-sided slug is prefer- American Rifleman worked with the right size. In addition to coming able to a grooved bullet. paper-patched bullets in the .308 to this conclusion about prepatched If I may add my own conjecture, Winchester, .30-06 and .300 Win- bullet diameter, I also investigated I think Matthews overemphasizes chester Magnum in the interest of the factors of bullet hardness, patch the role of “grip” in the barrel but full power with cast bullets. In his type and powder choice, hoping to appropriately hints toward minimiz- March 1977 article “Paper Patched further refine smokeless powder ing bullet distortion and maximizing Bullets Come of Age,” Harrison paper-patched loads. coaxial guidance as more important. provides a few rules for the shooter At the end of Paul Matthews’s Although one of the biggest benefits using a paper patch to obtain top book The Paper Jacket, he summa- of a paper patch is its ability to ac- velocities with poured slugs: rizes his findings on what makes a curately throw bubblegum-soft lead “Cast the bullets of hardness ac- patched bullet perform and starts at velocities upwards of 2,000 fps, cording to the load – for full loads, with the suggestion that softer is the same basic parameters of fit and Bhn 16-20, or slightly softer than better. Much of this emphasis on hardness that govern conventional linotype . .; for 2000 fps, about softness is motivated by the in- cast bullet accuracy must also be 12-14 Bhn which is softer than tended use on game, but Matthews considered when using patched bul- Lyman No. 2 metal. Hardness is not surmises that the softer the bul- lets. Even though it is possible to critical but must be approximately let, the greater the upset and radial achieve fine accuracy at 2,000 fps correct for best results. Very unsuit- thrust upon firing and the better the with a 5 Brinell hardness number able metal, of course, will fail. grip in the rifling. Keeping with the (BHN) bullet, there’s a good chance “Size bullets .301 inch.” (Cast theme of bullet engagement, he also these results will require extra effort Bullets, NRA Publication, pg. 97) suggests that “nothing but the paper to attain. With a slight shift in hardness, patch and its attendant lubricant During the mid-1970s, Col. the first rule could apply directly to should ever touch the barrel,” and E.H. Harrison and the staff at The any lubricated, grooved cast bullet. 1 LoadData.com Bullet strength is an important part of any cast bullet. One could look at a paper patch as a layer of “super- lube” that allows higher speeds with softer alloys than are possible with conventional groove/lube cast bul- lets. The fact that Harrison’s tests were performed in .30-caliber rifles and that he recommended a bullet slightly larger than bore diameter correlates exactly with my own find- ings in regard to prepatched bullet size. In my own tests of bullet hard- ness, alloys as soft and ductile as 5 BHN roof flashing and as hard as 20 stick-on patches BHN heat-treated range scrap were utilized. A 10, 15 and 20 BHN test for the .45-70 and .458 Lott (stick- work, it can also act as a lubricant perature. Careful attention was paid on patch, 0.456 inch diameter bul- between the bullet and patch and to ensure complete coverage so that lets) revealed insignificant accuracy cause the patch to slip while seating a small amount of lube was wiped gains at the harder levels but also the bullet. Clean bullets and proper off the bullet at seating. No prob- showed no drop-off in group size. loading technique are essential for lems due to the buildup of excess The graph below traces the correla- both patch types. lube occurred within the seating tion between hardness and accuracy One factor not investigated was die, no doubt due to the softness of of 304 individual groups fired from patch lubricant. Matthews’s rec- the lube and the fact that the total four different rifles. Although the ommendation of petroleum jelly amount on each bullet was pretty curve wavers, it does show a clear and yellow beeswax lube (55:45 small. trend favoring harder slugs. Despite by weight, melted and thoroughly As an aside, Matthews developed his affinity for soft bullets, Mat- mixed) was the only lubricant used a method of waterproofing and thews also states: “Usually a bullet throughout the tests. The patched toughening his patches for hunt- slightly hardened with tin will give bullet was spun on the surface of ing use, especially in leverguns, by better accuracy than one of pure solidified lube, similar to buttering soaking a heated, patched bullet in lead.” a cob of fresh corn. This was done melted beeswax, allowing it to cool with bullet and lube at room tem- and shrink overnight, and lubricat- Hardness vs. Accuracy The grouping ability of two types of patches was also investigated dur- ing these tests. A traditional-style, double-layer, moistened, wrap-on type and a single-layer, adhesive label, stick-on type were used head- to-head throughout all tests. Tracing paper measuring 0.0022 inch thick was used for the double-wrapped patches. This method of patching typically added .007 to .008 inch to the diameter of the unpatched slug. File folder labels or address labels measuring 0.0035 inch thick were used for the single-wrap patches. These patches typically added .006 to .007 inch to the diameter of the unpatched slug. Although the adhe- sive is what makes this type of patch LoadData.com 2 ing and loading it as a normal patch. In my limited tests, this has proven to be an excellent method of in- creasing the robustness of a hunting slug. Be aware, however, that heat- ing and soaking a stick-on patch can denature the adhesive; therefore, the conventional dried-on patch is recommended for waterproofed patches. These waxed patches per- formed identically with normally lu- bricated patches in my limited tests, but I would recommend to those wrap-on patches who try this technique to give it a few trial runs before any serious use. The difference in the overall marily because they’re ready to load remaining in the chamber throat group size average between the two right after patching, both types have was the .375 H&H. It is surmised patches was less than 0.18 minute of useful features. Moistening and that the large cone-shaped throat angle (MOA) for over 300 groups, wrapping a patch does not require kept the patch from partially shear- so patch preference is a draw. With- much more effort than aligning, ing off the bullet. The data shows out close analysis, it is my percep- sticking, folding and compress- no particular set of circumstances tion that bullets patched with the ing a stick-on patch. The wrap-on that led to a paper ring as the rings wrap-on type behaved in a more does require a drying period and is appeared at any given diameter, regular manner as bullet diam- slightly more delicate – until after hardness, patch type and powder. eters increased, while the stick-on it’s loaded. It can also be water- Extra lubrication on the patch did type would give an excellent group proofed and therefore toughened help reduce the occurrence of paper here and an excellent group there against moisture and abuse, and I rings, but a greasy bullet does not and perform poorly in between. would choose this type for hunting carry well in a pocket. The inci- The wrap-on patches also seemed purposes. The long term interaction dence of a paper ring did not ap- to leave the bore cleaner and more between the patch lubrication and pear to harm accuracy to any great polished looking. Perhaps this can the adhesive of the stick-on type was extent, and often, especially in the be traced back to the rifling cutting not tested, but in the short term, .45-70, patches with known damage down into the adhesive and it leav- the adhesive can be problematical as performed admirably. ing some resultant residue. described above. A short test of seat- A wide range of powders were The stick-on patches remained ing depth indicated that an overall utilized to varying degrees of suc- fully intact on the bullets, even length where the patch enters the cess among the four rifles, includ- when significantly distorted at im- rifling leade approximately 0.125 ing Trail Boss, Herco, SR-4759, pact. This type of patch exemplifies inch at the full chambered position MP-5744, IMR-4198, IMR-3031, Matthews’s description of the patch as the best length. Both 0.250 inch H-4895, H-1000 and US-869.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Catalog & Order Form Lead Bullet Technologies
    Lead Bullet Technologies F.I.G ENT., INC. 78592 Hwy 2 Moyie Springs, ID 83845 Catalog & Order Form LBT PREMIUM MOLDS LBT bullet designs are the most copied cast bullets in the world, because, when they are cast in molds manufactured by LBT they are the most accurate bullets available! However, copying the profile of an LBT bullet by cherrying or conventional lathe boring processes, as all other moldmakers do, does not result in molds or bullets that live up to LBT accuracy standards! You see, the heart of all molds, which is the cavities, are produced at LBT with a one of its kind, ultra precision, custom designed, custom built, reducing tracer lathe. This only machine in the world was engineered for the single purpose of producing molds with precision that no available machinery could match. - In the 23 years of its existence, no moldmaker or machine, or mold cutting method has come close to producing LBT quality! - Because of this, the advantages of purchasing your molds from LBT are: 1. Molds which drop their bullets easier then any other mold. 2. Bullets which are better balanced than can be produced in any other molds, because they are round and sound, or free of voids-which equals: 3. Accuracy that is untouchable by bullets from other manufactures molds, even if they have copied our superior designs! Not to mention the design features in LBT molds which ensure void free bullets, flat bases, and extra long service life. LBT sprue plates are designed to minimize the shrink voids and air pockets which unbalance bullets and destroy accuracy, and are equipped with spring hold downs at two points, which prevent the sprue plate from lifting off the mold and causing finned and out of square bases.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Make Gun Powder the Old Fashioned Way in Less Than 30 Minutes - Ask a Prepper
    10/8/2019 How To Make Gun Powder The Old Fashioned Way in Less Than 30 Minutes - Ask a Prepper DIY Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ask a Prepper Search something.. Survival / Prepping Solutions My Instagram Feed Demo Facebook Demo HOME ALL ARTICLES EDITOR’S PICK SURVIVAL KNOWLEDGE HOW TO’S GUEST POSTS CONTACT ABOUT CLAUDE DAVIS Social media How To Make Gun Powder The Old Fashioned Way in Less Than 30 Minutes Share this article By James Walton Print this article Send e-mail December 30, 2016 14:33 FOLLOW US PREPPER RECOMMENDS IF YOU SEE THIS PLANT IN YOUR BACKYARD BURN IT IMMEDIATELY ENGINEERS CALL THIS “THE SOLAR PANEL KILLER” THIS BUG WILL KILL MOST by James Walton AMERICANS DURING THE NEXT CRISIS Would you believe that this powerful propellant, that has changed the world as we know it, was made as far back as 142 AD? 22LBS GONE IN 13 DAYS WITH THIS STRANGE “CARB-PAIRING” With that knowledge, how about the fact that it took nearly 1200 years for us to TRICK figure out how to use this technology in a gun. The history of this astounding 12X MORE EFFICIENT THAN substance is one that is inextricably tied to the human race. Imagine the great SOLAR PANELS? NEW battles and wars tied to this simple mixture of sulfur, carbon and potassium nitrate. INVENTION TAKES Mixed in the right ratios this mix becomes gunpowder. GREEK RITUAL REVERSES In this article, we are going to talk about the process of making gunpowder. DIABETES. DO THIS BEFORE BED! We have just become such a dependent bunch that the process, to most of us, seems like some type of magic that only a Merlin could conjure up.
    [Show full text]
  • Dictionary of Explosives
    DICTIONARY OF EXPLOSIVES BY ARTHUR MARSHALL A .C .G j., F.I.C., F.C.S. CHEMICAL INSPECTOR INDIAN ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT PHILADELPHIA P. BLAKISTON’S SON & CO. 1012 WALNUT STREET 1920 Printed in Great Britain INTRODUCTION It is a generation since a dictionary of explosives has been published, and, in the meantime, many new explosives have been introduced. It is hoped, therefore, that this small volume, giving concise information about these special materials, may prove useful to those who have to deal with them. In Cundill and Thomson’s “ Dictionary of Explosives,” issued in 1895, there arc many entries of the names of inventors and of mixtures which had been proposed but have never been used commercially, nor are likely to be. As modem explosives were then in their infancy, it was no doubt wise to insert all the available information whether it appeared to be important or not; but now it seems to me better to restrict the scope of the dictionary so as to keep its size within moderate limits. Practically only explosives with special or proprietary names are therefore dealt with here. For information concerning chemical substances, such as the nitro-toluenes and other nitro-compounds, reference should be made to the text-books on explosives and chemistry. A few words may, however, be said here about the nitro- celluloses. These are made by treating cellulose with a mix­ ture of nitric and sulphuric acids, and then purifying the product by washing it thoroughly with hot water. The variety of cellulose most used for this purpose is cotton, and the product obtained from it is frequently called nitrocotton, three special varieties of which are collodion cotton, pyro- collodion and guncotton (q.
    [Show full text]
  • The Los Angeles Silhouette Club
    The Los Angeles Silhouette Club Hunting with the .40-50 Sharps Straight By: Glen E. Fryxell The .40-50 Sharps Straight Contender For more on building the 40-50 Sharps Straight, load work- up & load data. The inspiration for this story can be found in J. D. Jones' project back in 1988 with SSK's custom Contender in the .338 Woodswalker. J.D. designed this round for walking around and kicking the bushes to see what came out, then be able to quickly deal a lethal 10" T/C Contender in 40-50 Sharps blow at short range. I read that article Straight. and liked the idea, absorbed the concept, and wanted to do something similar, except in .40 caliber, built around a moderately heavy cast HP. It has taken a while, but all in all it has come together rather nicely (good things take time...). Let's back up a bit. The Sharps rifle company is well known for making very accurate, large caliber, single-shot rifles that were used in the 1870s by the commercial buffalo hunters. There were a number of rounds that were used by the Sharps folks, but the last one to be introduced was the little .40-50 Sharps Straight, introduced in 1879, just a few years before Sharps went under. The original ballistics produced a 265 grain lead round-nose at 1410 fps. Not exactly laser-like in its ballistics (but note the similarity to the highly capable .44 Magnum). THIS was what I was looking for -- moderate pressure ballistics that were easily compatible with the Contender frame, along with a simple rimmed straight case with a powder column suitable for a handgun-length barrel.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cast Bullet Articles of Glen E. Fryxell
    The Cast Bullet Articles Of Glen E. Fryxell Casting & Cast Bullets High Capacity Hollow Point Bullet Moulds A New Source for Hollow Point Bullet Moulds Expansion Properties of Cast Hollow Points Cast Hollow Points and the .45 ACP Cast Hollow Points Cast Hollow Points: The Next Generation Skeeter's Bullets The Bullets Of SSK The Lyman Devastator Hollow Point Bullets Cast Hollow-Points And The Contender Cast Bullet Alloys And Obturation Safe Handling Of Lead When Casting And Tumbling Brass Lubricating Cast Bullets The "Simple" Act Of Fluxing A Few Comments On Cast Bullet Alloys Mountain Molds In Search Of The Perfect Bullet The 38 SWC The 44 SWC The .45 Keith SWC A Cast Bullet For All Seasons The Himmelwright Wadcutters The Guns The Story Of Marlin And The Levergun Marlin's Microgroove Barrels Marlin 1894 The 444 Marlin The 480 Ruger, In Perspective Headlong Into The Hornet’s Nest - Custom 25 Hornet Old Model Blackhawk The .35 Remington: America's "Other Levergun" The Varmint Revolver The Preachers Gun - 32-20 S&W M&P In Praise Of The 38 S&W Special Herter's .401 PowerMag 1 Cartridges The 44 Special Revisited Cast bullets in the .25-20 Winchester The .357 Maximum The .40-50 Sharps Straight Contender The .32 S&W Long: A Handgun Hunter's Perspective Is The .44 Magnum Becoming Overweight? Cast Bullets In The .30-40 Krag The .338 GEF Revisited Nostalgia, Good Friends & The Hunt Hunting with the .40-50 Sharps Straight The Rites of Spring The Birthday Present Floyd's Mould Why We Hunt The Summer Of 38 John's Mould Something Old, Something New,
    [Show full text]
  • From Ingot to Target: a Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners a Joint Effort by Glen E
    From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners A joint effort by Glen E. Fryxell and Robert L. Applegate About the authors Acknowledgements A Few Words About Safety Foreword by John Taffin Chapters 1. Introduction: A Brief History of Bullet Casting 2. Bullet Casting 101 3. Alloy Selection and Metallurgy 4. Fluxing the Melt 5. Cast Bullet Lubrication 6. Throat and Groove Dimensions 7. Leading 8. Idle Musings of a Greybeard Caster 9. Moulds and Mould Design 10. Gas-checked vs. Plain-based Bullets 11. The Wadcutter 12. The Keith SWC 13. Casting Hollow Point Bullets 14. Making Cast HP moulds 15. Hunting with Cast Bullets 16. A Few of Our Favorites 16. A Few of Our Favorites Appendix: How old is your mould? Foreword: by John Taffin In many ways it seemed like only yesterday I began casting bullets. In fact it has been nearly one-half century since I started pouring that first batch of molten alloy into a single cavity mould, or mold if you prefer. It was in my mother's kitchen, at my mother's stove, next to my mother's refrigerator. It wasn't long before the whole top half of the side of her refrigerator was covered with speckles of lead. Now my mother was the most fastidious of housekeepers, however she never complained. Looking back I can only assume she thought it better to have me making a mess in her kitchen rather than running around doing something of which she didn't improve. At the time I was working for a large wholesale warehouse catering to plumbing and building contractors.
    [Show full text]
  • The Los Angeles Silhouette Club
    The Los Angeles Silhouette Club The .32 S&W Long: A Handgun Hunter's Perspective By: Glen E. Fryxell The .32 S&W Long is regarded by some as an archaic artifact of another time, best left to the dust of the Ages. I would suggest a less hasty conclusion. Yes, it was originally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1878. Yes, it was originally housed in the weak Model 1 1/2 top-break revolver. Yes, it was originally a black powder load only generating 680 fps with an 85 grain lead round nosed bullet. Yes, it was introduced as a pocket pistol for self-defense, and yes it was marginal in that application. Yes, smokeless powder, stronger steels and the Magnum Age would come along and make such pip-squeak ballistics "yesterday's news". So what? Is there a problem with all that? While the hinged-frame top-break revolvers are indeed very weak and need to be treated with care (i.e. loaded to black powder pressures only), S&W entered the modern era with their first Hand Ejector (the Model 1896), and it was chambered for the .32 S&W Long. The fixed frame of the Hand Ejector series of revolvers would revolutionize the handgun world, and ultimately lead to the first Magnums. With the introduction of smokeless powder, factory ballistics for the .32 S&W Long were upped only slightly to a 98 grain lead bullet at 705 fps (undoubtedly out of deference for the weaker top-break revolvers). I have shot small game and vermin with lead round-nosed bullets at roughly 700 fps -- head shots are effective, body shots leave a great deal to be desired.
    [Show full text]
  • Bullet Casting Bullet Casting
    BULLET CASTING Lyman Sizing Die Diameter Chart BULLET CASTING Item # Diameter Item # Diameter Item # Diameter LY2766462 ......224 LY2766486 ......323 LY2766550 ......409 Lyman’s Digital Lead RCBS Lube-A-Matic - 2 LY2766463 ......225 LY2766487 ......325 LY2766505 ......410 LY2766542 ......243 LY2766488 ......338 LY2766506 ......413 Lyman’s “Big Dipper” Thermometer Bullet Sizer/Lubricator Lyman Sizing Dies LY2766465 ......244 LY2766534 ......354 LY2766508 ......427 The Lyman Digital Thermom- Size and lubricate cast bullets in one step Lee Hardness Testing Kit Electric Casting Fur- Lyman improved sizing LY2766460 ......251 LY2766490 ......355 LY2766537 ......428 No more wasted components eter is a fast and accurate way with the Lube-A-Matic–2. Just insert a dies now have 90 degree LY2766466 ......257 LY2766491 ......356 LY2766509 ......429 nace to check the temperature of bullet in the sizer die and pull the handle. shooting too soft or too hard With 10+ lbs. capacity and hole spacing. It’s now LY2766467 ......258 LY2766492 ......357 LY2766510 ......430 lead. Cast and load with confi- your casting alloy. The long A sized and lubricated bullet ejects on easy to lubricate bul- LY2766543 ......264 LY2766493 ......358 LY2766511 ......431 features like fast heat-up time 6” probe will work with the the upstroke. A fingertip regulator lets dence knowing your alloy is up to the job. Quickly with heat control to +/- 10 degrees. Easy “on-off” lets even with today’s LY2766470 ......266 LY2766494 ......359 LY2766541 ......439 and precisely check hardness of your lead alloy. largest casting furnaces and keeps your hand away you fine-tune lubricant flow. The Lube- hard lubricants. Lyman LY2766551 ......277 LY2766495 ......360 LY2766513 ......446 temperature dial.
    [Show full text]
  • RCE, LLC Common Handgun Bullet Styles There Are As Many
    RCE, LLC Common Handgun Bullet Styles There are as many different styles or types of handgun bullets as there are people to make and shoot them. Sometimes the terminology describing the bullets is misused or the wrong terms are used to describe a bullet. While this may not matter much to the shooter it can be a problem if someone is making swaging dies and a customer uses the wrong word or words to describe what is wanted. This is a short explanation of common handgun bullet types. To the left is a 45 caliber bullet that is a true one-half jacketed bullet. Usually just called a half jacketed bullet. The nose or ogive of the bullet can be about anything that is wanted. Common nose shapes are a conical, truncated conical, Keith style, round nose, round nose-flat tip, target wadcutter, button nose wadcutter, and any number of custom shapes. The base of the bullet is most often flat but sometimes a cup base is used, much less often a dish base, and rarely a true hollow base. The defining feature of the half jacketed bullet is that the jacket only covers about one-half of the bearing of the bullet. As can be seen in the photo the jacket is just a bit more than half of the bullet’s bearing leaving a considerable amount of lead exposed to the gun barrel. This is a rather inferior design of bullet as the exposed lead can foul the barrel more than a cast lubricated bullet, it is more costly than a cast bullet, and the lead core can sometimes pull out of the jacket when the gun recoils leaving an empty jacket in the cartridge.
    [Show full text]
  • Accurate Arms Company, Inc
    Smokeless Powders LOADING GUIDE Number Two ® iii DISCLAIMER Accurate Arms Company, Inc. disclaims all possible liability for damages, including actual, incidental and consequential, result- ing from reader usage of information or advice contained in this book. Use data and advice at your own risk and with caution. Copyright © 2000 by Accurate Arms Company, Inc. ACCURATE ARMS COMPANY, INC. 5891 Highway 230 West McEwen, Tennessee 37101 Designed and Printed by: Wolfe Publishing Company 6471 Airpark Drive, Prescott, AZ 86301 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following individuals contributed to the preparation of this loading guide: Doyle Nunnery Joe White Lane Pearce Randy Brooks Allan Jones Randy Craft Bob Palmer J.D. Jones Jay Postman Tom Griffin Kevin Thomas Carroll Pilant Mike Wright Ken French Dave Scovill The following companies have been helpful in the preparation of this loading guide: Action Arms Barnes Bullets Blount Industries Bull-X Bullets Clements Casting C. Sharps Arms CP Bullets Cooper Arms Douglas Barrels Eldorado Cartridge Freedom Arms Hornady Bullets HS Precision Lee Precision Lyman Products Magnum Research Miller Arms McGowan Barrels Nosler Bullets Penn's Casting Penny's Casting Precision Machine Remington Arms Company Redding-SAECO Sierra Bullets Speer Bullets Sinter Fire, Inc. Starline Thompson/Center Arms Ultra Light Arms White Rock Tool & Die Bill Wiseman Wolfe Publishing Company v LEGEND AF A-Frame N/R No Recommendation BAR Barnes OAL Overall Length BRG Berger PART Nosler Partition BT Ballistic Tip PMC PMC/Eldorado Cartridge CCI CCI, Division of Blount PSPCL Pointed Softpoint Core Lokt FA Freedom Arms RAN Ranier Bullet Co. FC Federal Cartridge REM Remington FIO Fiocchi RN Roundnose FMJ Full Metal Jacket RPM Rock Pistol Manufacturing FN Flatnose S1000 Solo 1000 FP Flat Point S1250 Solo 1250 FPJ Flatpoint Jacket S&W Smith & Wesson FS Fail Safe SAAMI Sporting Arms and Ammunition GC Gas Check Manufacturers' Institute, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • FSTC 381-5042, Handbook of Foreign Explosives
    U. S. ARMY MATERIEL COMMAND FSIC 381-5042 HANDBOOK OF FOREIGN EXPLOSIVES U.S. Army Foreign Science and Technology Center Munitions Building, Washington, D.C. 20315 FSTC 381-5CA-2 is published for the information and guidance of all concerned. Comments, and requests for additional copies, should he sent to the Commanding Officer, at the above address. A Category I Intelligence Document. This document was compiled and pro­ ducted by the U.S. Army Foreign Science and Technology Center and is intended for rise within the U.S. Army Materiel Command. This document has not been approved by the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence and therefore does not necessarily represent agreed Depart­ ment of the Army intelligence. DESCRIPTORS Explosives: manufacturing, testing, use, characteristics, loading, com­ parison, strength power, brisance, composition; pyrotechnics; bursting charge; propelling charge; high-explosive ammunition. Project Eld 596 FSTC 381-5042 HANDBOOK OF FOREIGN EXPLOSIVES October 1965 (Based on information available as of June 1964) Prepared by Picatinny Arsenal Dover, New Jersey 07801 for ' U.S. Army Foreign Science and Technology Center Munitions Building Washington, D. C . 20315 ABSTRACT (u) This Handbook of Foreign Explosives contains technical information and reference data on the chemical and physical character­ istics, known variations in nomenclature, and the application of explosive compounds to the various types of ammunition in use by selected countries. TABLE OF CONTENTS Dago Section I. INTRODUCTION ' Purpose _ ^ Scope ' ^ Summary • g Section II. GENERAL INDEX y Section III. COUNTRY INDEX . Belgium France • P q -^ Germany 2U3 Italy 3-17 Japan 360 Soviet Union 388 Spain 429 Sweden .
    [Show full text]
  • The Iconic Wwi French Service Rifle Lebel 1886 M 93
    THE ICONIC WWI FRENCH SERVICE RIFLE LEBEL 1886 M 93 By Alek Wadi – Submitted by Gus Gintzburger In France, nearly everyone had a family member involved in the WWI (Photo 1). It brings sad memories to most, even as far away as Australia. It also brings to memory the legendary Lebel rifle 1886 M 93 that made the news in France at the beginning of the 20th century in European military circles. The development of this French service rifle started soon after the France – Prussia 1870 war: a French military disaster compounded with French political instability leading to a tumultuous change of regime from the French Second Empire to the Third Republic. Tensions mounted rapidly in Europe and the Levant with the 1853-56 Crimean war, the 1866 Austro- Prussian war, and the unification of Germany lead by Prussia threatening the balance of power in Europe; At the French declaration of war to Prussia (July 1870), the French army could field 400,000 conscripts and another 400,000 reservists while the Prussians army could align straight away 1,000,000 well trained troopers from the North German Confederation and southern German states of Baden, Bavaria, Württemberg, and Hesse-Darmstadt. In term of individual armament, the Germans were still using the Dreyse needle rifle 1848/M1865 (Cal 15.4mm), that had many defects while the French were issued with the superior and faster operating Chassepot M 1866 (Cal 11mm), both bolt action with lead bullet - black powder paper cartridge. Immediately after this war and rapidly catching up, the German issued the new 11.15×60mm R Mauser Model 1871 (Infanterie-Gewehr 71) while the French army countered with the 11×59mm R GRAS Modèle 1874 M80 rifle both single shot/black powder/metallic cartridge.
    [Show full text]