Interesting rifle markings - what do they mean??

BSA Majestic Centrefire Bolt Action Rifle:

[Linked Image]

.243 inch is the calibre
What is the 2 inches - case length?
BNP = British Nitro Proof (I think)
42.5 gn of NC. What is NC? I presume that it's a powder or powder type - nitrocellulose? Is this the proof load, or suggested load, or what?
100 gn is the bullet weight - of the proof load, or the suggested load?

Can anyone help us out here?

Definitive Birmingham Nitro Proof for barrel and action since 1954.

Yes, sorry my mistake - BNP = Birmingham Nitro Proof

It means, .243 is no good past 2 inches and should not be fired at anything heavier than 42.5 pounds and you will still probably need 100 bullets to kill it.

Dan

Originally Posted by Dan_Chamberlain

It means, .243 is no good past 2 inches and should not be fired at anything heavier than 42.5 pounds and you will still probably need 100 bullets to kill it.

Dan

LMAO @ Dan C!!!....

Back when I was a member of a hunting club down in 'Bama (takes my hat off and places it over my heart in due reverence), I was one of the main trackers of shot & run off deer, and I had to perform said service more often for .243's than any other caliber.

Most were never recovered.

But, I digress. This isn't the place to start a caliber argument.... Sorry

Originally Posted by Dan_Chamberlain

It means, .243 is no good past 2 inches and should not be fired at anything heavier than 42.5 pounds and you will still probably need 100 bullets to kill it.

Dan

Classic

I was helping a friend sight in a .243 once. We were using a cardboard box as the target holder. The guy fires 5 shots at 100 yards, and one of my other mates walks down range to check the results. He gets to the target, takes a look, and shouts back "Come and take a look at this!!"

We both walk down thinking that it must be a very fine group that had just been shot. Get to the target and there's 5 shots in a couple of inches or so. I say "What's so great about that". He picks up the cardboard box, turns it around, and says "Look, all those .243 bullets came out the other side"

The maximum recommended service charge and bullet weight. In the old days it would have "Cordite" instead of NC, the term for nitrocellulose. 2" is case length.
If that's an F next to the crossed swords, it dates the proof to either 1955 or 1980.

SOS

Originally Posted by SavutiOneShot

The maximum recommended service charge and bullet weight. In the old days it would have "Cordite" instead of NC, the term for nitrocellulose. 2" is case length.
If that's an F next to the crossed swords, it dates the proof to either 1955 or 1980.

SOS

Thanks very much for that. I'll check the letter next to the swords. But 1955 sounds about right given the make and model. Thanks again for the good info.