.30-06 Springfield: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:56, 19 March 2006

Revision as of 17:55, 20 March 2006

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The '''.30-06 Springfield''' [[cartridge (weaponry)|cartridge]] (pronounced "Thirty aught six") is a .308 inch (7.62 mm) caliber rifle cartridge, also known as the '''7.62 x 63 mm''', that was introduced as the standard cartridge of the [[United States Army]] in 1906.

It superseded the nearly identical [[.30-03]] cartridge (introduced three years prior), but had a slightly shorter casing and a higher velocity [[bullet#design|spitzer bullet]]. The change to a pointed 'Spitzer' was in response to [[France|French]] and [[Germany|German]] developments during that time period. There were three main production runs of the round, that roughly correspond to large stocks built up during wars; the initial 30-06, the M1 ball and then the M2 ball.

The [[Springfield 1903 rifle]], introduced alongside the earlier cartridge, was quickly modified to accept the .30-06. The .30-06 remained the US Army's main cartridge for nearly 50 years before it was finally replaced by the [[7.62 x 51 mm]] with the official adoption of the [[M14 (rifle)|M14]] in 1954. However, the first M14s were not fielded until 1957, and the .30-06 remained in service into the 1970s, mainly as a [[machine gun]] cartridge.

It was used in the [[bolt-action]] M1903 Springfield and M1917 Enfield, the [[semi-automatic]] [[M1 Garand]] and, the [[Browning Automatic Rifle]] (BAR), as well asand numerous machineguns. It served the United States in both World Wars and in the [[Korean war|Korea]], serving as the basis for dozens of commercial and wildcat cartridges. Its last major use by the US military was in Vietnam. The .30-06's power, combined with the ready availability of surplus firearms chambered for it, has made it a popular [[hunting]] cartridge. It is suitable for hunting large mammals such as [[deer]], [[Red Deer|elk]], and [[moose]].

==Performance==

[[Image:Garand_clip.jpg|thumb|300px|Eight .30-06 cartridges loaded into an ''en bloc'' clip for the [[M1 Garand]]]]

The .30-06 is a powerful round designed in an age when 1000 yard (1000 m) shots could be expected. In 1906, the original .30-06 cartridge consisted of a 150 grain flat base cupronickel jacketed bullet. DuringAfter World War I, the United States military desiredrealized the need for better long range performance out of machine guns. and Based on reports from Europe, a streamlined, 172 grain, boat tail, cupronickelgilding-jacketedmetal bullet was used. The .30-06 cartridge with the 172173 grain (11.12 g) bullet was called the 'M1 Ball'. Later, the US military realized that M1 Ball was traveling beyond the safety limits of ranges constructed for the 1906 cartridge. Rather than engage in massive construction projects, it was decided to switch back to the original profile bullet.

Army practice was to use the oldest ammunition for practice and, therefore, older stocks of M1906 continued in use until exhausted in 1936. Once the new M1 began seeing widespread use, the US military realized that it was traveling beyond the safety limits of ranges constructed for the 1906 cartridge over the past 30 years. Rather than engage in massive construction projects, it was decided to switch back to the original profile bullet but utilizing a newer jacket material. Initially, this bullet was stained to match the color of the cupro-nickel jacket.

A 150 grain flat base copper jacketed bullet was adopted and resulted in the creation of 'M2 Ball'. According to US Army Technical Manual 43-0001-27, M2 Ball specifications call for 2740 feet per second (835 m/s) velocity, measured 78 feet (24 m) from the muzzle. M2 Ball was the standard issue ammunition for use in US military service rifles until the retirement of the M1 Garand service rifle.

AThis 150152 grain flat base copperbullet jacketedwithout bulletthe stain was adoptedstandardized andin resulted1940 inas the creation of 'M2 Ball, M2' cartridge. According to US Army Technical Manual 43-0001-27, M2 Ball specifications call for 2740 feet per second (835 m/s) velocity, measured 78 feet (24 m) from the muzzle. M2 Ball was the standard issue ammunition for use in US military service rifles and machineguns until replaced by the retirement7.62 ofx the51 M1mm Garandfor servicethe M14 and rifleM60.

Commericially manufactured rifles chambered in .30-06 are popular for hunting. Current .30-06 factory ammuntion varies in bullet weight from 110 to 220 grains (7.1 to 14.3 g) in solid bullets, and as low as 55 grains with the use of a sub-caliber bullet in a [[sabot]]. Loads are available with reduced velocity and pressure as well as increased velocity and pressure for stronger firearms. The .30-06 ranks as one of the most popular sporting cartridges in the world.

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*'''Ball, M1906'''

:This cartridge is used against personnel and unarmored targets, and can be identified by its unpaintedsilver-colored bullet. The M1906 has an 150 grain projectile and flat base. Its jacket is a cupro-nickel alloy which was found to foul the bore quickly.

*'''Ball, M1'''

:The M1 has ana 173 grain (11.2 g), boatnine-degree streamlinedboat-tailed projectile designed for aerodynamic efficiency. Though it had a lower initial velocity, velocity and energy were greater at longer ranges due to its efficient shape. The jacket material was also switched to gilding metal to reduce fouling.

*'''Ball, M2'''

:With a 152 grain bullet based on the profile of the M1906, this cartridge incorporated the gilding-metal jacket of the M1 projectile and had a higher muzzle velocity than either of the earlier cartridges.

:When M1 ammunition was found to travel beyond safety limits at Army ranges, the decision was made to switch back to the M1906 bullet shape with an improved gilding metal jacket to reduce metal fouling.

*'''Armor Piercing, M2'''.