KF 12 ga ammo-Astram

[shahid]

I fully agree on low quality control. The brass is never fitted properly, portions of the brass cap shear off at times, size and hardness of the metal is inconsistant and in some cases the primer pin protudes out, which is sure to cause problems in high end auto loaders or pump action guns.

Are smaller numbers like 3, 4, 6 and trap skeet loads like 7 or 9 available in other markets of India ?

The KF special has seen a small bit of improvement. The old paper wad has been replaced with a plastic semi power piston type, and a plastic spacer, which improves the range, shot pattern and charge density to a smaller extent. However manufacturing defects are very much here too. The classical problem of the paper case jamming is also there at times which can spoil the ejectors.

In our parts the 30 gram load KF special is available in shot size, BB, 1,2,4,6 and 7 right now. We had picked up some no. 8 in 1989 - 90, after that we never saw this size. Again I would request members to fill in with news from other Indian regions as to what is available.

The last of No. 5 we acquired was in 1996 and no. 3 in 1977. These intermediate sizes have become very rare in these parts.

[penpusher]

If you open the cartridge(Abhijeet seems to have more experience in this,it seems ) you would also notice that the shot is also deformed and many times there are greins of lead along with the pellets.

I think that changing the pellets and substituting them for smaller ones should not be a problem,as long as the weight remains the same and you do not try to mess with the charge.All that would be required is a press.You can get a cheap Lee one for this.Or get a hand tool by Lee or some other brand,if they are manufactured.Making pellets should be fairly easy.

penpusher

[shahid]

I do have this press, handed down to me from my Father, who was a very keen sportsman himself.

Now he lives in retirement in Cinncinati, Ohio.

The press does an excellent job with KF special shotshells.

[mundaire]

penpusher... jokes aside, the primary reason for me for opening up so many KF Astram carts. was because I had a quota of Lapua 12 gauge 28 gram skeet loads in no.9 issued to me in '93ish by SAI... and I had the mandatory requirement of returning the emptys. While the regular KF specials in paper required that I have special tools to repack them, the KF Astram could be unpacked and repacked without much issue.

How/ why etc., I won't comment on further - every one is bright enough to make their own inferences.

The deformed shot, I can testify to... in fact at one time i preferred slightly increased Lapua no.9 shot loads (standard was 28 grams in those days, though the 24 gram regs were coming in even then..) for certain field use as opposed to the regular no.6 KF loads.

I would also replace the KF Astram shotcup/ wadding combo with the superior one from the Lapua ammo, unfortunately - while Lapua/ RWS etc. would use American style primers which could be easily swapped, KF still uses the old European/ Brit style integral primers - which are a real b**ch in terms of reloads...

[danish21]

I have two press... but friends never forget to use a resizer.. cause its helps in maintaining the accurate shape of ur cartridge. Astram is very easy open and close without getting any scratch on it. But if ur press is not good then u may have some problem in KF special cartridges but these days KF special is also comming in plastic case.

Danish

[snIPer]

just had a look at their website.
http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/am ... /sc/15.htm

if you chaps want to have a really hearty joke then you should look at this

http://www.weaponsindia.com/12bore70mm.htm
Velocity : 817 +/- 9 m/s
Maximum range : 4000 metres - oh my we just beat the 50 cal by a full 1000 mtrs
Power charge : Ball powder -

I guess he got some info mixed up.
/S/

[Himachal]

At present the iof ammunation are not very powerful. They redus the quality of gunpowder in KF and Astram Magna. It can hit only 1o yards

[Himachal]

To day iof Special and Astram are in the Khaki paper. price are 60 to 65 for iof Special and 100 to 125 for Astram.

[ASIF007]

Are 65 mm cartridge readily available today??

[Vikram]

Are 65 mm cartridge readily available today??

http://www.ofbindia.gov.in/products/dat ... /sc/16.htm

[TariqThePathan]

IOF astram Magna are not available at all in any of the dealers around here in Karnataka.
If available please advise. Kind of desperate for good ammo.
Someone did mention that s&b 12 ga ammo is available in the price bracket of 160-200 in Maharashtra.
Is it true ? and if anyone has used it reviews please.

[dsingh]

New astram magma has 34 grams of load it most powerful cartridge even heavier load than 4.8 of Shaktiman.Magma is available in no1 .My friend got some of these cart.

[Sam Kunal]

The total mass of KF special ammo is 45-47 grams. Weight of shot is 30.1 g. Weight of empty case is 9-10 grams.Gunpowder is 1.8-2.1 g. Weight of wad is 3-4 grams. So it nearly comes to 47-48 grams.