What is the meaning of "BALL"?

[cirrus8]

When used to describe 30'06 military ammo, what does "ball" refer to and what does it mean?

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[GUTS]

I believe it's one of those phrases used back when military ammo was actually a ball shaped projectile. It was considered Standard Military Ammunition. Years later Standard Military Ammunition is still called ball ammo, which usally means solid.

[us019255]

To distinguish from buck shot or "buck and ball" during the musket era. During the US Civil war, while the standard arm was the 1861 Rifle Musket, which used a minie ball, there were many smooth bore muskets used usually with buck and ball ammunition.

In more modern era it distinguishes ordinary rounds from tracer or armor piercing rounds.

[canadiangunuser]

Ordinary also means FMJ (full metal jacket)- as opposed to match rounds, some being HPBT (hollow point boat tail). In domestic operations, the MPs and some SF units also use HP (hollow point) ammuntion which is not Geneva Convention legal overseas, but is standard for civilian police in North America. HPs are also not Ball.

[Dimitri]

some SF units also use HP (hollow point) ammuntion which is not Geneva Convention legal overseas, but is standard for civilian police in North America.

The current War on Terror is not a Geneva or Hague Convention issue, our troops COULD use it if given the okay to. Our troops are fighting non-uniformed enemies which are only protected by how nice we want to be.

Dimitri

[canadiangunuser]

True, but we do still follow the old cold war rules- it's easier than figuring out new ones.

[Kirk]

In today's use, a round of ammunition loaded with a ball bullet refers to jacketed, lead or lead + steel core bullets such as those loaded in the M193 or M855 5.56 cartridges. It is different from other bullets such as armor piercing, tracer, incendiary, etc or blank or dummy ammunition.

[Skip]

I have heard the term "Full Patch". Is that also used as "ball"?

[Ben Hartley]

Skip...

I have heard the term "Full Patch". Is that also used as "ball"?

If I'm not mistaken, "full patch" is synonymous with "full metal jacket." In a military environment, "ball" is "ball" -- and nothing else -- in an attempt to reduce confusion.

Ben Hartley

[ltcboy]

The current War on Terror is not a Geneva or Hague Convention issue, our troops COULD use it if given the okay to. Our troops are fighting non-uniformed enemies which are only protected by how nice we want to be.

Dimitri

I think we should use Streetsweepers loaded with buckshot for house to house.

Mike