Meaning of Firearm Cartridge Designation Number

Me

[txnativegop]

Do any FReepers know the meaning of the cartridge designation SAA on the European Cartridge Research Association website?

[txnativegop]

I cannot figure out what the SAA designation refers to or stands for.

here is a link http://www.ecra.info/start.php?main_cat=9&sub_cat=108&access=view&exp_sub_cat=108

[txnativegop]

http://www.ecra.info/start.php?main_cat=9&sub_cat=108&access=view&exp_sub_cat=108

[Equine1952]

I think from what I can gather it stands for the small arms ammunition factory who made the cartridge. It was apparently an Australian firm. If you look at the cartridge head on some 223 brass it will carry a stamp of LC. The manufacturer was Lake City and so on. You find REM, WIN, and others. NORMA comes to mind. Different brass wears differently than others. It can vary from one batch to the next by the same manufacturer. If you reload and shoot a lot and lean toward the hotter loads. It pays to inspect it closely between each loading. Be safe hope this helped some.

[txnativegop]

I goofed in my description.

at the link provided under Denomination of Cartridges

Two headings
Denomination / Alias

17 Remington 17 AMA
SAA 0145

To my knowledge there is no known Cartridge Headstamp with the letters SAA

[BeauBo]

SAA = Small Arms Ammunition

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_headstamps

[txnativegop]

on the list

the headstamp is listed as

SAAF not SAA

I emailed ECRA months ago about what it meant, they never responded.

Could it be an internal ECRA cartridge number?

[BeauBo]

UK Small Arms Ammunition Factory?

[Equine1952]

That was what I found. I have a lot of the lake city 223. I also have old military 30-06 that I had to punch out primers with a punch ( crimped in) and then ream the primer pockets before reloading. Certain old military cases have two small flame holes instead of one. I throw them away. Seem to me they were old 6.5x55.

[txnativegop]

Australia =

Small Arms Ammunition Factory Footscray

[txnativegop]

FYI

two, three, or four flash holes means Berdan primers

can be removed by filling the case with water or mineral oil and syringe plunger that is slightly larger than the neck.

Berdan primers are available from RWS (if you can find a dealer)

[BeauBo]

Sorry, I really don’t know.

[Equine1952]

I never had many and none now. But that’s pretty interesting. Thanks.

[OldMissileer]

Certain old military cases have two small flame holes instead of one.

Those are Berdan primers. The standard brass that can be reloaded with the single hole are Boxer Primed.

Many years ago as a teenager I did some reloading of Berdan primed cartridges. It is now really hard to find anybody who manufactures and sells them for the reloading crowd.

[txnativegop]

[txnativegop]

You forgot to mention what a pain they are to seat in the primer pocket!

LOL

[Equine1952]

I wish I could remember where and what caliber I got the brass in. A friend gave it to me I’m sure. Those primer pockets and the military crimp issue were time consuming problems. Now I need to shoot more to necessitate reloading more, so I can remember more. I truely learn how much I don’t know about things as I continue to do them. Have you noticed there’s not much brass left on the range anymore? If it’s laying there and reloadable brass I pick it up. Tumble it then see if I have anything it works in.

[txnativegop]

In my experience, all of the Asian/European 6.5mm, 8 x 50R Austrian, 8 x 56R Hungarian, and much of European brass (except Norma)is Berdan primed.

Greek and Turkish 30-06 and 7.62 NATO can be Berdan primed

[txnativegop]

I have always picked up stray brass at shooting ranges.

I came across some 225 Win and 33 WCF that way, still have it, though no guns to shoot it.

Yes, I have hoarding issues with ammo. LOL

[Stanwood_Dave]

As a former hand-loader for 25-06, 30-06 and 35 Whelen (HINT they all use the same brass.) I loaded for bolt action rifles only. When I achieved a crack of approx. 1/4 plus, is when I'd stop using that individual casing. (average 20-25 reloads per casing) I'd mostly would only neck re-size the cases, unless I was changing the size say from 30-06 down to a 25-06. 30-06 was my most available CHEAPEST cases. To one and all if your not familiar with the 35 Whelen, it is a poor-man's 375-H & H. More then ample to take ANYTHING IN SIZE in the United States has to offer. After all, it was designed for African hunts. For the first hundred yards, the ballistics of a 35 Whelen & 375-H & H are the same. :-) When I was loading the 35 Whelen, it was a "Wildcatters" rifle, meaning you had no choice, (late 1960's early 1970's up till the 1990's I believe) either hand load for it, or it sat on the proverbial shelf. Now, you can purchase ammo for it. Remember, no matter what you shoot, it start's with a "CONTROLLED EXPLOSION."

[super7man]

Nice Link. Thanks.