.30 ammo
 

Completey out in never never land, but I went to visit a gentleman this morning reference coyotes which he will soon be rid of, and amongst the subjects of guns, dogs, tractors ect, he pulled two ammo cans out of the barn. They are marked US, .30 cal., AP M2, 5 round clips in bandoleers, 240 rounds per can, and have a spam type key to open them, no date, he gave them to me, said they had been there since he was a kid, (he's 71), my question is are these carbine or 30.06? AP for armor piercing but the M2 is the full auto M1 Carbine. I could always open one but they look cool with all by other stuff. Any help is appreciated.

rk

RK,
Open one! You've got me curious... [img]biggrin.gif[/img] !

Brandon...

Before you open and shoot what I believe is 30-06, look at what AP is going for $ wise. The Talon ammo is quite expensive. I don't think the Gov't is selling any more, nor do I think it can be sold commercially in most states. I know it's good trading material. There are people who put a premium on some ammo types.

I know I have a box or two of this and they are marked M2 and it is 30-06.

Hey, I'd be interested in a can RK! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Trade some ammo? I've got some 2.23, 44 etc? [img]wink.gif[/img]

Ed

I have a sealed can of 30-06 AP ammo. I'll look at it and let you know what the markings are. I would not open it if I were you--I won't open mine unless we are invaded by real thick skinned aliens. I suspect value goes way down if opened--but I just want to be sure my M1 has some real good ammo as long as I live.

RK, "M2" is the designation for a .30-06 cartridge firing a 152 grain bullet at 2740 FPS measured at 78 feet from the muzzle of the rifle. Muzzle energy is 2656 Ft. Lbs.

However, "Cal. .30 A.P. M2" fires a 168.5 grain bullet at 2715 FPS measured at 78 feet from the muzzle. Muzzle energy is 2780 Ft. Lbs.

"Hatcher's Notebook" has a chapter devoted to developement of the US Cal. .30 service cartridge. If you don't have a copy of the book, it's WELL worth owning.

The AP ammo packed in 5 round clips is rather unusual. Most of the AP M2 is packed in 8 round M1 Rifle clips.
Does the can have the maker and lot number? The maker will normally be indicated by initials.

No maker, but a lot # of 156979 on both cans. All writing is is yellow paint. I've got a P17,03,03A3,and a M1 Garand on the wall, this fits well with them. Does the AP mean armor piercing or is it another designator for the type cartridge? And why in five round clips instead of 8 round ones? Is this pre WWII ammo? Except for a little surface rust cans are in excellent shape, I'll clean them up later. Gonna be real hard not to open one. Ed, sorry, if we were in the same hemisphere we'd get together and talk, just isn't easy to do that from where we are. I've got lots of .223 and swore off .44 after that Thompson centerfire .44 mag debacle. Was like dancing with a fat woman. You can nudge her to the left, move a little to the right, but when she takes off with the music you're just there for the ride. No control.

rk

Cool, I sold my 44 mag (S&W 4 inch), she kicked a bit too much for me. 45 LC or ACP is plenty for my tastes.

Yes, if I get in your neck of the woods, I'll stop and chat, have some fresh German bread also!

Ed

I've been shooting a lot of .45 in a Webley MKVI and a 1911A1, the 185g swcs with 6.2g unique are great in the Webley, surprisingly accurate, the 1911A1 is stunning with 230g rn w/6.2 unique and also 255g rn with 5.5g of same.

rk

RK,
It would be very unusual for the can not to have the manufacturer on it. Without the manufacturer the lot number doesn't mean much. At one time Bill Ricca sent out a sheet with every order for military parts that gave the lot number for each manufacturer when they changed to non-corrosive priming.
The AP does indeed indicate Armor Piercing. This became the standard military issue ammon in WWII as it was effective on lightly armored vehicles and tended to range better than the 150gr. ball ammo. The five round clips were primarily used in the 1903 Springfield and Remington rifles which were still being used early in the war, and the 1903A3 which was manufactured during 1943. To a lesser extent it was used in the Model 1917 and Johnson rifles.

Roadkill:

30-06 loaded in five round strippers was originaly intended for the Springfield 03's and Enfield 1917's. The ammo will have a headstamp date and mfg.; if before 1950, 55 for Winchester, it is probably corrosive.

Ken D

If you open it you absolutely destroy its collector value. Anyway, you don't want to shoot it because it's viciously corrosive.

Thanks all, I'm not shooting much 30.06 anyway, much less AP. Good info, and the cans do fit with the other stuff.

rk