LC 68 M2 Ball

Your point is well taken. There are now and were then better bullets than the 30 M72; however we digress. The original question was “Why breakdown and reload the LC 68 Ball?”
The LC 68 ball was free and 30 M72 bullets were available for about two cents a bullet. With a little effort; trimming the cases to a uniform length and neck sizing, weighing the bullets to a + or - 0.1 grain, and keeping the powder charge to + or – 0.1 grain one could load reasonably accurate target loads suitable for practice, DCM qualifications and local matches which rarely exceed 300 yards. The 30 M72 bullet has a better BC than does the 30 M2 and is generally more uniform and is easier on barrels (according to FA tests). Practicing with ammo of unknown accuracy is an exercise in futility.

I have (29) sealed 20 rd. boxes of LC National Match ammo dated from 59 thru 68. One box marked National Rifle and Pistol matches Camp Perry, Ohio. Looking for fair offer plus shipping or FTF would be the best. Located close to Ft. Hood, TX.

Back in the day when I actually went to the range, the old hands there called your handloads Mexican Match. Not at all an uncommon procedure.

Years ago I was firing my 1919A6 and when we got to the Vietnam Era Lake City ammo, it was a little off speed in operation. I asked around about it and one of the ammo guys at a gun show told me that M2 ball produced during that time period was slightly lighter. It was designed to help the South Vietnamese, who were generally smaller in size.

Can not confirm it but the MG was slightly slower compared to the WWII and 1950's ball.

In my rifles, HXP shoots slightly more accurately than any LC I've used so far, incl. NM. That said, I've never had any functioning issues with LC, either.

Charlie