Forums.NitroExpress.com

sambar - as Gibbs would know, the .303 Epps was a Canadian version of an "improved" .303 British cartridge.

Developed by Elwood Epps of Clinton, Ontario , the .303 Epps, when loaded to full potential is too much for rechambered SMLE rifles, but in an actions that will handle heavier loads, such as the P14 Enfield, .308 Win. type ballistics are feasible.

Epps was a prolific experimenter who used the same case to develop a line of "improved" cartridges, including 8mm, .338 and .35 calibres.

Post WW2, most of the former British Empire countries adapted the .303 British case; certainly, in Australia, there is a whole range of conversions to other bore sizes, many of them developed by Sprinter Arms in South Autralalia and Myra of Broken Hill, NSW.

Infact, there were so many different versions around, it pays to take a chamber cast and slug the bore to verify exactly what you've got before attemting to shoot rifles chambered for any of these rounds!

I once was left with a severe case of ringing ears after shooting a nice little Kurtz Mauser that a bought at an Adelaide Gunshow that was labelled 22 Hi-Power - a common conversion from 250/3000. Turned out that it was a wildcat .228/.303 British!

I'm sure the South Africans did the sort of same thing; perhaps an RSA member could enlighten us whether they adopted the .303 Epps as such??

I've got my doubts about India though!

Post Extras