30mm ammo(what does alternative ammo mean)

[krt9400]

im sitting on 800 rounds of 30m ammo.1 box says alternative.anybody have an idea.

[GWLindsay]

Welcome to the forum, krt9400! Glad you found us!

About your ammo... First off, it is .30 caliber, specifically 30-06, not 30mm, which is MUCH larger. ;) I thought for a minute you had a hoard of auto-cannon ammo...

Your ammo is US military, WWII era .30 caliber full metal jacket ammo, as used in Springfield rifles, M1 Garands, BARs, and Browning machine guns, among others. What makes it "alternative" is that the bullet, instead of being copper jacketed, is mild steel jacketed with a thin coating of gilding metal, an alloy of copper and zinc. This was done due to the copper shortage during WWII.

Your ammo is fine to shoot, will not damage your rifle, as the steel jacket is much softer than the steel in the barrel. Just remember, it is corrosive and clean your rifle accordingly.

Your ammo is collectible, currently around $14/box, so you might set some of the nicer boxes aside for the future.

Again, Welcome!

George

[HerrMesser]

Welcome to the forum.

And it just may have corrosive primers if made before the mid 50s.

Rad

[krt9400]

I also have the .30 Ammo that is not alternative. So, would that be the full metal jacket made from copper, and is it safe to shoot?
Thanks much for the education!

[GWLindsay]

I also have the .30 Ammo that is not alternative. So, would that be the full metal jacket made from copper, and is it safe to shoot?
Thanks much for the education!

Yup, it's safe to shoot. It's the same stuff your dad or granddad used by the millions in WWII. Have fun with it, but just be sure to clean your rifle well, as this ammo is corrosive. And set aside a box or two as a momento of WWII, it might be worth a bit in the future!

George