I found 10 bullets last week in an area well-documented as a live firing range during WW2; all were lying on the surface within 2 metres of each other. Photo #1 shows an intact .303 and 8 others. The 2 along the top I'm pretty sure are .303, but the 6 in the middle row are intriguing me, as they appear to have a very thin jacket - could these possibly have been tracer? Their density seems much lower than you might expect from even half a bullet. I'm querying tracer because the range was used for AA LMG 'hosepipe' shooting (Bren from the hip at low-flying 'aircraft' - target was actually a dummy grenade with streamers fired from an EY rifle) and would have required a few tracer amongst the ball rounds. The range was also used for tank gunnery, so there's a small possibility they may be 7.92mm BESA co-ax, but the intact bullet is definitely 303. Photo #2 shows a lead bullet found in the same place with an unfired .303 for scale. Vernier gauge indicates calibre about 12mm and height 25mm, bearing in mind that the shape's a bit mangled from impact. A bit of online research has me thinking this is a .455 revolver round (see Victorian Wars Forum • View topic - Firearms: Webley Mk IV/V markings), as the hollowed base and three grooves seem a good match, but has anyone got any other ideas? Nothing like .50 cal or .55 Boys and seemingly not .45 ACP, but just odd to find a revolver round given the nature of the range?? - Pete
All the rifle bullets in your first photograph are .303" Ball Mark VII. The reason that they are light is because the forward part of the Mark VII core is made of aluminium (or in the case of some wartime production, compressed fibre). This was to place the centre of gravity of the bullet as far to the rear as possible for long range stability (and not to make the bullet tumble on impact, although this was a desirable secondary effect) When a .303 Mark VII bullet strikes the ground the heavier rear part of the bullet tries to overtake the lighter tip and the bullet frequently breaks in half, which is exactly what you have. Have a dig inside one of the tips and you will probbaly find it is aluminium. The revolver bullet is indeed a .455" Mark II. These were manufactured up until the beginning of WW2 when production changed to the jacketed Mark VI. There was concern that the all lead Mark II bullet contravened the various conventions on soft point bullets and so was ordered to be used for practice. Regards TonyE
