Jaeger .30 M-1 Carbine Ammunition

[Old Guardsman]

Gents, I just inherited a M-1 Carbine - came with a box of older Jaeger brand ammo - the label (no country of origin) does indicate "Non-corrosive and Boxer primed". If I had to guess I would say this ammo is thirty years old or more. Can anyone tell me anything about it? It looks pretty clean, but not sure about shooting it (yet). Thanks, OG

[joem]

If it was me I'd sure think twice about shooting it in one of my carbines. It's not worth the risk when your face and hands are that close.

[Tuna]

I'm pretty sure it's German or Austrian made and most likely in the 60's or early 70's. Look at what is stamped on the head of the cartridges for information.

[Sunray]

Like Tuna says, what's on the head stamp? Have a look here.
http://cartridgecollectors.org/?page=headstampcodes

[Old Guardsman]

LC4

[kcw]

During WWII some U.S.G.I 30.06 ammo only had one number stamped on it, along with the letter designation for the producing arsenal. ie SL 4. What that stamping indicated was the expedient use of an older die ie. SL 43, and the grinding off the expired year, thus the SL 43 die was reused as SL 4 (1944). Is it possible that you have U.S.G.I. Lake City carbine ammo from 1944 in that box , or GI ammo possibly repackaged under the Jaeger brand.? It would be non-corrosive and boxer primed. I don't know if carbine dies were altered in that manner, but it's possible that they were.

[jimb]

I don't know if the dies were altered, but the same dating system was used. You are correct that those cases are Lake City 1944.

[Tuna]

Yes dies were altered by removing the 3 in 43 and then using the die to make cases stamped with just the 4 on it to represent 44. The ammo itself if it's ball ammo could be from someone using the box to store it or it could be ammo someone has reloaded and used the box. If the ammo is soft point then it is most likely reloaded.

[Old Guardsman]

Thanks for the info on the head stamp. Sounds if the most likely scenario is that the ammo was loaded in LC4 cases, maybe by a bulk reloader, with hunting bullets. I'll just hold onto it and let it remain unshot. OG