.30 Caliber (.30-06 Springfield) Ammunition
Gary's U.S. Infantry Weapons Reference Guide

DESCRIPTION

Rifle ammunition is issued in the form of a complete round, A complete round (cartridge) consists of all the components (cartridge case, bullet or shot, propellant powder, and primer) necessary to fire the weapon once.
Ballistic data for .30 ammunition.
Model Cartridge Weight Cartridge Length Propellant Projectile Weight Chamber Pressure Velocity
78 ft (23.8 m) from muzzle
M1 HPT 432 gr (27.99 g) 3.34 in (84.84 mm) IMR 4198 ? 67,500 psi (4,745 kg/cm²) N/A
M1 Tracer 399 gr (25.85 g) 3.34 in (84.84 mm) IMR 4895 ? 52,000 psi (3,656 kg/cm²) 2,665 fps (812 mps)
M2 AP 424 gr (27.47 g) 3.34 in (84.84 mm) WC 852 165.7 gr (10.74 g) 54,000 psi (3,796 kg/cm²) 2,715 fps (828 mps)
M2 Ball 416 gr (26.96 g) 3.34 in (84.84 mm) IMR 4895 150 gr (9.72 g) 50,000 psi (3,515 kg/cm²) 2,740 fps (835 mps)
M3 Grenade 248 gr (16.07 g) 2.49 in (63.25 mm) IMR 4895 N/A N/A 180 fps (55 mps) 5.5 ft (1.7 m) from muzzle, projected grenade
M14 API 407 gr (26.37 g) 3.34 in (84.84 mm) WC 852 ? 54,000 psi (3,796 kg/cm²) 2,780 fps (847 mps)
M22 Frangible 320 gr (20.74 g) 3.29 in (83.57 mm) SR 4759 ? ? 1,320 fps (402 mps) 53 ft (16 m) from muzzle
M25 Tracer 401 gr (25.98 g) 3.34 in (84.84 mm) WC 852 145.5 gr (9.43 g) 50,000 psi (3,515 kg/cm²) 2,665 fps (812 mps)
M40 Dummy 268 gr (17.37 g) 3.34 in (84.84 mm) N/A ? N/A N/A
M72 Match 425 gr (27.54 g) 3.34 in (84.84 mm) IMR 4895 ? 50,000 psi (3,515 kg/cm²) 2,640 fps (805 mps)
M1909 Blank 218 gr (14.13 g) 2.49 in (63.25 mm) SR 4990 N/A N/A N/A


Cartridge, Caliber .30, Ball, High Pressure Test, M1

TM 43-0001-27: .30 HPT
The cartridge is used to proof test caliber .30 rifles and machine guns during manufacture, test, or repair.

The cartridge is identified by stannic-stained (silvered) cartridge case.

Type Classification: STD - OTCM 37119
Cartridge, Caliber .30, Tracer, M1

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M1 Tracer
The tracer element is intended to permit visible observation of the bullet's in-flight path, or trajectory, to the target.

The cartridge is identified by a red bullet tip. Tracer composition: R256.

Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003
Cartridge, Caliber .30, Armor Piercing, M2

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M2 AP
Penetration, fired at 7/8-inch (22.23 mm) thick homogeneous armor plate at 100 yards (91 m), will be not less than 0.42 inch (10.66 mm).

The cartridge is identified by a black bullet tip.

Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003
Cartridge, Caliber .30, Ball, M2

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M2 Ball
The cartridge is intended for use against personnel or unarmored targets.

The cartridge is identified by a plain bullet tip.

Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003
Cartridge, Caliber .30, Grenade, M3

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M3
The cartridge provides the pressure, on functioning, to project rifle grenades when using a grenade projection adapter.

The cartridge is identified by a rose-petal (rosette-crimped) closure of' the cartridge case mouth.

Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003
Cartridge, Caliber .30, Armor Piercing Incendiary, M14

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M14
Penetration, fired at 7/8-inch (22.23 mm) thick homogeneous armor plate at 100 yards (91 m), will be not less than 0.42 inch (10.66 mm). Upon impact with a target, the incendiary composition bursts into flame and will ignite flammable material.

The cartridge is identified by an aluminum bullet tip. Incendiary composition: 2 grains (0.13 g) IM 11.

Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003
Cartridge, Caliber .30, Ball, Frangible, M22

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M22
The bullet disintegrates upon striking a hard or armored target, leaving a pencil-like mark to indicate a hit during gunnery practice.

The cartridge is identified by a green bullet tip with a white ring to the rear of the green color.

Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003
Cartridge, Caliber .30, Tracer, M25

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M25
The cartridge is intended for use against personnel and unanmored targets.

In flight, the bullet exhibits a trace of full luminosity from a point not greater than 75 yards (69 m) from the muzzle of the weapon to a point not less than 900 yards (823 m) from the muzzle.

The cartridge is identified by an orange bullet tip.

Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003
Cartridge, Dummy, Caliber .30, M40

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M40
The cartridge is inert, and is used for practice in loading weapons, for simulated firing to detect flinching of personnel when firing, and for inspecting and testing the mechanisms of small arms weapons.

The cartridge is identified by six 1-inch longitudinal corrugations (flutings) in the cartridge case. In addition, there is no primer.

Type Classification: STD - OTCM 37119
Cartridge, Caliber .30, Ball, Match, M72

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M72
The cartridge is designed to be fired only in weapons designated as competition rifles.

The cartridge is identified by head stampings on the base of the cartridge case with either the initials NM (National Match) or the word MATCH. The primer is uncrimped, the bullet has no crimped cannelure, and the case is not crimped to the bullet.

Type Classification: STD - OTCM 37119
Cartridge, Caliber .30, Blank, M1909

TM 43-0001-27: .30 M1909
The cartridge is used for simulated firing in training or for saluting purposes.

The cartridge is identified by the absence of a bullet and has a crimped cartridge case mouth.

Type Classification: OBS - MSR 11756003