30-06 armor piercing ammo

[Major Tom]

I have a chance to buy military surplus 30-06 armor piercing ammo made in late 1940s.
Is this stuff OK to shoot in my M1 Garand? I'm thinking pressure problems and/or bending op rod.
Thanks for replies

[Art]

It is safe for your Garand. In fact in WWII a lot of infantrymen preferred it to ball if they could get it and a cartridge belt full of clips loaded with M2 AP was not unusual.

But...the stuff is corrosive. Clean accordingly.

[lyman]

Milsurp ammo for a Milsurp Garand,


match made in heaven,

be sure to clean well,

[barretcreek]

Save it for next summer. Antifa may upgrade their pajamas.

[Johnny P]

Standard M2 Ball weighed 150 grains, where AP was 152. The rifle will never know the difference.

"Starting late in 1943, black tip M2 AP was issued as the 'standard' round for infantry use for the rest of the war. In the pacific theater, it was better able to penetrate log bunkers, etc. and in Europe, it was effective against German light armored vehicles as well as personnel."

[lyman]

Standard M2 Ball weighed 150 grains, where AP was 152. The rifle will never know the difference.

"Starting late in 1943, black tip M2 AP was issued as the 'standard' round for infantry use for the rest of the war. In the pacific theater, it was better able to penetrate log bunkers, etc. and in Europe, it was effective against German light armored vehicles as well as personnel."

typo Johnny? AP is more than 152 grns

[Johnny P]

Absolutely. How about 162 grains. Also, the M72 Match ammo was used in the M1 Rifle with no problems, and it's bullet was 173 grains.

[dryheat]

Here we go. It seems I recall posts where 173 was spit on. Now, 168 in my old American Enfield was always better than 150.
Black tipped AP will almost go through 1 inch of soft steel. 8mm will go clear through. I've done it. It also makes a good center punch. I want to say it's made of Cobalt or something. Was Titanium even around back then? I don't remember which co. made this bullet.
DSC00498.jpg

You see that these little slugs were machined, not poured into a mold. I used to have 1000 8mm rds. of these. I sold them all off except for the last 100. I don't even have an 8mm but I have a hundred in 30-06. I never want to be without some.

[Johnny P]

Out of curiosity pulled an M2 AP. 163.2 grains. Have read that the weight varies slightly, maybe due to penetrator not having to be exact diameter?

I tilted picture, but scale was leveled.

[Art]

160 - 175 gr. seems to be a sweet spot for .30-06 US Military weapons. I found 165 -168 gr bullets at about 2,600 fps to work exceptionally well in my rifles.

I got out my copy of Brophy again and the cores of the .30 AP rounds were/are tungsten alloy. I have some squirreled away but not enough I'm interested in shooting it any more. LOL I suppose I'll use it if I'm ever attacked by a bunch of Panzer Grenadiers.

dryheat; 8mm Mauser is a real thumper. Probably the most powerful WWII rifle cartridge in the 198 gr. boat tail mode which whistles down range at 2,500 fps + or - a bit. Past 250 - 300 yards it leaves .30-06 in the dust. It's a tremendous penetrator even in the regular plain old ball mode.

[dryheat]

One of my favorite pastimes was shooting at boulders with the 8mm "way out there". One guy would spot and the other shoot. We could get it dialed in to about trash can lid. We guessed we were shooting out to about 600 yrds. but I got a laser and it was a little disappointing to find out it was less than 300. It was still big fun.

[bruce]

Have found that M-2 AP is quite the dandy for punching holes through stuff, everything from railroad track and such right on to great big thick old Cypress stumps that have been sitting since they were cut in the 1950's. Some of the stumps were real whoppers ... at least 3 or more foot thick. The railroad tracks were scrap pieces that were pulled out of a pile of junk metal. When the CMP was selling nice AP I was thrilled to get several cases. Sold some. Kept the vast majority. Never know when I'll get up to Alaska ... need to be prepared for big bears. Figure regardless of angle of presentation, a clip load of AP in my M-1 will calm down the biggest grizzly. Can't imagine AP would even slow up on the skull, etc. Sincerely. bruce.

[Vern Humphrey]

When my M2 carbine got wrapped around a tree and I bummed an M1 rifle from the ARVN all they had was black tip AP. I love that stuff! If you have any idea of where the bastard is, just shoot all around that spot until you stop drawing return fire.













P.

[Major Tom]

"If you have any idea of where the bastard is, just shoot all around that spot until you stop drawing return fire."
That's why I liked the M14. Rounds would penetrate trees, logs and heavy brush.












P.[/QUOTE]

[Vern Humphrey]

"If you have any idea of where the bastard is, just shoot all around that spot until you stop drawing return fire."
That's why I liked the M14. Rounds would penetrate trees, logs and heavy brush.

Amen! In combat, penetration is the key.