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303 mk7 & 7.62

T

timeout

Well-Known Member
I have a 303 with a headstamp of U 60 MK7. the reference books I have looked in show the MK and 7 close to each other......The one I have the MK is at 7 oclock and the 7 is at 5 oclock. with a good space between them. Am I right in thinking this is made in South Africa in 1960.

I also have a 7.62 with a headstamp of MEN 82 J0004 is this a sporting round? if anyone can point me in the right direction where I can find more info on the headstamp without telling me what it is, that would be great.....
thanks...paul.
 
Hi Paul, if your MEN round is loaded with a silver-coloured FMJ bullet then I am reasonably confident I know what it is. However, if you wish to research the answer for yourself then I'd suggest having a look at the IAA forum and using the 'search' button at the top of the page. Try searching on 'MEN headstamp' and you'll find your answer - its definitely there, I've already looked this morning and found several relevant posts that would answer your question.
Jim
 
Thanks jim.....i was about to go there but when I looked up and saw the time, I thought it best to call it a night and turn in!!!! At least I am on the right track, its loaded with a copper coloured bullet.....paul.
 
A copper coloured bullet probably rules out the regular ball loading of DM111 so I'll retract that bit about being confident that I know what it is! Does it have a tiny hole in the point of the bullet?
 
Ok what I think it is.....Metallwerk Elisenhutte G.m.b.H, Nassau, Lahn, German.......made to NATO standards.....Men= maker....82=the year 1982 J= month Oct and 0004 is the batch Now what I have not been able to find out is, if it was made for the US market,or just sold as surplus stock from the manufacture, or used by NATO troops ......any help on that part please...... thanks paul.
 
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I think it was intended for German military (and probably police) use but surplus stock was then sold off. I believe a lot of the surplus went to the US but a considerable quantity also ended up over here for sale. Does it have a tiny hole in the bullet tip?
 
Hi Jim....no it does not have any holes in it, but as its a fired case it could have had the wrong bullet put in it.....paul
 
Paul it definitely has the wrong bullet in it, It has been reloaded for the inert market. I have some spare live rounds with the correct bullet in them I can pull you a bullet and send it to you if you have the equipment to swap them over

The U 60 MK7. .303 is I believe a MK7 round made in 1960 at the South African Mint, Pretoria. 1961 was the last year "U" was used in the Pretoria headstamp. I have the same rounds but as you say all mine have the Mk & 7 close together. What bullet type does it have and is it a fired primer again

Richard.
 
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Richard.....yes its a spent case. I will photo it and post it so you can see the headstamp.......Thanks for your offer, i will pm you ....paul.
 
303 a.JPG303 b.JPGmen a.JPGmen b.JPG

Pic 1 & 2 303 Pic 3 & 4 7.62 men.

With a hand lens it looked like 82, but the photo now looks like 92!....woops!
 
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Hi Rich....no the bullit is copper in colour, and I think its been polished within a inch of its life, so no green left. I have put a photo of the round back two posts....paul.
 
There is nothing unusual about the South African .303 Ball Mark 7 round. You will find that the positioning of the characters often varies when different bunters are used.

Regards
TonyE
 
peashooter said:
Paul it definitely has the wrong bullet in it, It has been reloaded for the inert market. I have some spare live rounds with the correct bullet in them I can pull you a bullet and send it to you if you have the equipment to swap them over
Richard.
Click to expand...

I'm currently shooting a large batch of MEN92J0004 and have knocked up the resulting empty cases with copper FMJ for the inert market, apologies for the confusion but all the nickel bullets end up in the butt's.
 
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