M2 Ball question (30-06)

[Carbon_15]

I know 30-06 M2 was a 150 gr bullet with IMR 4895, but what was the charge weight and velocity?
Thanks,
Jason

 

[BsChoy]

I believe the wieght of the charge was 47.0 but the velocity Im not sure of...probably be around 2800 fps.

 

[USSR]

Jason,

I'll go along with BsChoy's 47.0gr load. I'm presently using 46.5gr of IMR4895 with a 168gr bullet.

Don

 

[Templehall]

source unknown

M2 Ball spec's are 152 gr FMJ flat based bullet,
2740 fps at 24 meters from the muzzle.

Unfortunately, I didn't note the source when I tool the note on the velocity. I think it might be "The Springfield 1903 Rifles" by Brophy.

 

[Hud]

Scan's not too good but here it is.
Regards, Hud

 

[Sunray]

M2 ball used a 152 grain flat based bullet at 2800fps after 1940. Prior to 1940, the velocity was 2700fps. The powder weight didn't matter if the particular powder lot produced this velocity. Different powder lots could produce more or less velocity with a slightly different charge.
In any case, the rifle was NOT designed to use M2 ball. It was designed to use M1 ammo with a 174.5 grain bullet at 2647fps. There was no such thing as M2 ball until 1938.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Sunray is absolutely correct and if you want to see your best accuracy from an M1 rifle, use a bullet weight as close as possible to 174.5 grains. Start your loads around 42 grains or so and work your way up. Based on experience, you'll probably find a sweet spot before you get to 47 grains.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Carbon_15]

Actually I have a bunch of Korean M2 that I practice and plink with in my Remington 700. I would like to reload some FMJ's and Soft Points for practice and hunting that is pretty close to the Surplus ball...similar points of aim and scope settings.
I'm loaded up some 150's with 48 grains of 3031 and 49.5gr of 4895. I should be pretty close with either one, right?

 

[Hud]

Jason,
I use 49gr. of IMR 4895 behind 150gr. flat base FMJ or SP bullets out of a scoped FN Mauser in .30-06.
Works good for me.
Regards, Hud

 

[Blackfork]

Lighter loads in 30-06

So what happens if you go with a much lighter bullet in the 30-06 Springfield? Say something around a 120grn Matchking? Seems like the rifling would perform OK to stabilize it and a reduced powder charge would still have plenty of speed.

Any thoughts? If you were just shooting 200 yard Springfield match, it seems like the reduced recoil would be worth the effort.

 

[Hud]

Blackfork,
Go to this site & scrounge around. Alot of good info. there.
www.stevespages.com/page8.htm
Regards, Hud

 

[HankB]

The 6th edition of Barnes' Cartridges of the World says that the M2 Ball round is a 152(-3) grain bullet clocking at 2740 +/- 30 ft/sec at 78 feet. Three possible powder charges are given: 50 grains of IMR4895, 50 grains of WC852, or 45 grains of CMR-100. Nominal case weight is 200(-20) grains.

Note that military powders are not necessarily an exact match in burning rate for commercial cannister powders having the same designation, and commercial and military cases may differ in their volume, which can affect the pressure generated by a given charge.