30.06 Bullets

[yoopercollector]

I was given 140 30.06 bullets awhile ago. 50 look to be reloads in various brass (TW, SL, DM, LC, FC, R-P and REM UMC) with the 180 gn lead tip flat base bullets not seated to the crimp ring, overall length is 3.282 in. I pulled 2 and they have 48.3 gn of stick powder. Not sure if I should shoot them because I don't know what primers and powder were used. The other 90 appear to be factory loads because they have green around the primer. They have 149 gn FMJ flat base bullets with 51.3 gn of stick powder, overall length is 3.320 in. I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the factory loads? Thank you in advance.

Information

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[yoopercollector]

I think I found some things out. Sounds like it may be PPU ammo. Read that the primer hole might be small and break the decapper. Would anyone be able to give me an idea how old it might be and what the green around the primer means or is just a sealer. If this is a dumb question sorry.

[Parashooter]

I was given 140 30.06 bullets . . .

I'm perplexed. The remainder of your text, and the pictures, indicate complete cartridges, not just bullets (projectiles). I'm sure you know the difference, therefore my confusion.

PPU .30/06 first appeared around here in the 1970's, under the "Hansen" brand. Don't assume non-standard flash holes until you have examined a fired case interior. Green stuff is sealant. The cartridge in the photos appears to reproduce the essential characteristics of USGI M2 ball, as did the Hansen cartridges I used years ago.

PPU .30/06 in this style is currently marketed under the "Prvi Partizan" brand. See example at Prvi Partizan M1 Garand Ammunition, .30-06 Springfield, FMJ, 150 Grain, 20 Rounds - 621640, .30-06 Springfield Ammo at Sportsman's Guide

[yoopercollector]

Sorry, yes they are complete cartridges. I shoot PPU M1 Garand ammo in my milsurps (1903, 1903A3 and Garand). I am just starting to reload my own. I never saw the nny before but found online that they were made by PPU,they came to me loose in a plain brown box. Would any reloaders shoot the ones that were already reloaded by someone else or would you pull them and reload yourself? My friend got these from an older lady whose husband reloaded. Thanks for the info Parashooter.

[browningautorifle]

Shooting someone's reloads is akin to playing Russian roulette with all chambers loaded except one...you have NO idea what's going to happen. The factory ammo is likely OK. The reloads are components waiting to be broken down.

[yoopercollector]

Thanks, I was leaning that way. The friend that gave them to me was going to hunt with them. He put one in the chamber and it wouldn't extract. The bullet pulled out of the brass. The bullet got stuck and had to be pounded out with a cleaning rod. Good thing he didn't see something to shoot at that day. I measured the bullets and they are .308 dia. and tried one in my 1903 and it extracted fine. I don't know why it got stuck unless it's because the length is to long for his rifle. Thanks again, I'll be pulling them apart. Would you change the primer too?

[browningautorifle]

You're taking a chance on whether he used a large pistol primer or an old primer...I'd say you have an unprimed casing and a bullet. The rest is probably academic...or fertilizer.

[yoopercollector]

OK, Thanks

[Parashooter]

. . . I never saw the nny before but found online that they were made by PPU . . .

What you see as "nny" is actually "ppu" in the Cyrillic alphabet. (What resembles n is п.)

[Grounghog4]

This is where I go to check head stamps, they don't have every one I've ever seen, but there is an extensive listing.

Headstamp Codes - International Ammunition Association