M2 Ball

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is orphaned as few or no other articles link to it.
Please help introduce links in articles on related topics. (November 2006)

M2 Ball is a classification for military-specification .30-06 Springfield ammunition, commonly used in the M1903 Springfield and M1 Garand rifles, and was the most commonly made cartridge in use by the United States in World War II. It has been superseded by other specifications like the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO cartridge.

While no longer being manufactured new in the United States, substantial quantities of surplus ammunition manufactured for the American, Korean, and Greek militaries are available on the market for reasonable prices.

It found use in infantry rifles, machine guns (both for infantry, ground vehicles, and aircraft), and other firearms.

The M2 spec calls for a 150 grain (9.7 g) lead core bullet with a cupronickel jacket fired between 2800 and 2900 feet per second (850 and 880 m/s). Owners and users of US issue semi-automatic weapons are advised to keep as close to the M2 standard as possible, and to not exceed 175 to 180 grain (11 to 12 g) bullets; otherwise the slower burning powders will put too much pressure on the gas piston, bending the operating rod and causing the gun to become inaccurate until repaired.