In this project I will discuss:
* The difference between nineteenth century and twentieth century cartridges;
* A brief history on the .303 cartridges;
* A definition of two .303 cartridges.
In the nineteenth century, musket balls were made of lead. This was done by pouring melted lead into a round mold and left to harden. Once hardened, paper was wrapped around a wooden tube and the musket ball was placed into the wrapped paper when the tube was removed. Gun powder was sometimes placed in the tube and then tied off on both ends. Cartridges were made in this way and this process was repeated. The cartridges were then put into shot bag. To load the rifle, the cartridge was rammed down the muzzle of the rifle as breach loading rifles were introduced late in the eighteenth century.
Twentieth century cartridges are machine made. The cartridges are made of brass and have gunpowder placed inside of them. The point of the cartridge was then "fixed" to the top of the cartridge so that it would project forward when fired. The spent cartridge would be forced out the side of the rifle.
The .303 cartridge was invented by the British in 1889. In 1903, the .303 cartridge was withdrawn from active service to be used for target practice only. Since this time, there have been changes to the .303 cartridge. These changes include the bullet nose being rounded instead of being pointed; an increase in camber pressure; and have not been produced in the U.K. since 1933. Since 1889, twenty countries have produced the .303 and has been used in nearly 200 ways for military purposes as well as in experiments and for sports.
One cartridge has folds at one end and is slightly smaller than the other .303 cartridge. This is because it is used as a blank cartridge. The other .303 cartridge is slightly larger than the previously mentioned cartridge with its shoulder being lower than that of the blank cartridge. This particular cartridge is for active service.