Trying to Settle an Argument

[kiwikid]

Actually no; I don't believe the OP stated that they were US made.

But my question is, did the US make steel jacketed ammo, and does anyone selling projectiles or cartridges in the US currently market steel jacketed 30 caliber ammo? (I am aware of the imported steel jacketed ammo in 7.62x39. What about what we normally call 30 cal? IE: 308, 30.06, 300 win mag, etc.)

Vettepilot

Sellier and Bellot 30-30 ammo which is sold in the US has a steel jacket with a gilding metal covering. I believe some of the other S&B ammo also has steel jackets.

 

[RWE]

I

Do they actually weigh150 gr? Or 149?

There were so many different kinds manufactured all over the world its hard to say for sure without some further testing. But the exposed lead base makes them look like fmj with the "bi metal" jackets

i was going to ask if they were 147gr ball

 

[Hugnot]

Sort of look like FMJ or "ball" to me. The armor fiercing stuff some times has a black tip. I see what appears to be blue green vertigris on one bullet that would indicate some copper alloy jacket. As thoughtfully mentioned any steel penetrator inside the bullet would be attracted by a strong magnet. Crunching the bullet with bolt cutters would expose any inside core.

 

[P7M13]

Melt one.
A propane torch should do.

 

[johngibbs222]

I checked out all my unloaded bullets with the magnet, 30 cal, 147grn fmj S&B, 165 grn speer bt sp, 130 grn barnes tsx, none of these stuck to the magnet.
223 cal 55 grn S&B sp, didn't stick to magnet.
S&B 55 grn fmj these did stick to the magnet , the base was soft lead and scratched easily. There should be an image of these close by.

 

[bullet man]

you can buy AP ammo in 30-06 on gunbroker no metal jackets though I did buy some South African 308 bullets that had a bi metal jacket on them and they will stick to a magnet

 

[rammac]

7.62mm (7.62 x 51 mm) Ammunition

Drawing needed of .30 Nato M61 AP projectile

I don’t have a drawing, but here’s a sectioned bullet that may give you a start in what you’re looking for. T29 on the right. HWS 3 may not have a drawing of every bullet and those that are illustrated probably will not show much detail. But the originals will be at the Woodin Lab. Good...

forum.cartridgecollectors.org

 

[whirlwindjml]

They are (99% sure) AP rounds. Possibly rauffous incendiary because the silver wears off the tip. U can see mine stuck to magnet. They are supposed to be 145 grain. The black tips are also 308 AP rounds. The pics of the scale and the loose unloaded rounds are mine. The others are gunbroker listings.

These were pre Vietnam era. I got mine from a Vietnam chopper gunner vet.

I been meaning to load them in one of the RUM guns and shooting them into a piece of track rail. But then again I'm a little nervous to do that.....maby I'll have my arrogant brother in law do it since hes so tough.

 

[whirlwindjml]

 

[Vettepilot]

Thanks for the answer on current 30 cal steel jacketed bullets. Some would argue, but I don't want to buy/load/shoot any steel jacketed projectiles in any of my guns.

One study I read said that the steel ammo wore out AK47 barrels at 6000 rounds, as compared to copper ammo only barrels lasting to 10,000. It's not that I shoot THAT much; it's just that "steel on steel" offends my engineering sensibilities...

Vettepilot

 

[Doom2]

That is most probably the M2 garand bullet. 150 gr FMJ with cannelure.

 

[whirlwindjml]

Thanks for the answer on current 30 cal steel jacketed bullets. Some would argue, but I don't want to buy/load/shoot any steel jacketed projectiles in any of my guns.

One study I read said that the steel ammo wore out AK47 barrels at 6000 rounds, as compared to copper ammo only barrels lasting to 10,000. It's not that I shoot THAT much; it's just that "steel on steel" offends my engineering sensibilities...

Vettepilot

I'm sure you right. Steel core wouldn't conform and compress as easy as a lead core.