M1917 Ammo & Rear Sight

[gc1054]

Does anyone know which specific 30-06 cartridge (bullet weight, velocity, etc) the M1917 was designed to use? I'm currently working up some reloads for my rifle to use in various matches and would like to get reasonable correlation with the rear sight settings from 200 through 600yds.
Thanks!
gc

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[Detroit-1]

150 grain around 2700FPS

[browningautorifle]

I don't think any specific cartridge matters now. The rifle would have used the M1 ammo originally and then still used the M2 after it was adopted...is there going to be a big difference? If you look in the back of Cartridges of the World, in the back...it has a whole section on military ammo and what powders are used. .30 uses 4895IMR for one of the loadings and you should be able to work with that...

[Ridolpho]

For what it's worth, I used Federal's American Eagle (for Garand) in my Model of 1917 and it was bang on for range up to 440 yards (400m). Good quality ammo and pricey but was all I had for an informal shoot a couple of summers ago.

Ridolpho

[browningautorifle]

That would be loaded to M2 spec I should think...

[fjruple]

That would be loaded to M2 spec I should think...

Jim - you are correct. Also PPU 150 grain .30-06 is close to the M2 loading.

[Enfield Enforcer]

Jim - you are correct. Also PPU 150 grain .30-06 is close to the M2 loading.

Yes. And having a look at the accuracy of the M72-Loads ? Alone because of the div. Production lots asked.. At 100, 300, 500-600 Yards and more.. . And also for M72-Ammo-Reloads.

Greetings Enfield Enforcer

[fjruple]

Yes. And having a look at the accuracy of the M72-Loads ? Alone because of the div. Production lots asked.. At 100, 300, 500-600 Yards and more.. . And also for M72-Ammo-Reloads.

Greetings Enfield Enforcer

I have used a simuliar loading of the M72 ball using the 168 grain Matchking HP bullets. They pretty much replicate the M72 loading but just a several gains less in the bullet weight from the M72. Originally the M72 bullet was developed from an experimental long range accurate .30 caliber machinegun loading developed in WWI which was requested by the AEF. Post WWI the US Ordnance department was asked to develop an accurate round for the .30-06 for the National Matches. These bullets served as the test bed for the M72 NM .30 rounds.

[Enfield Enforcer]

I have used a simuliar loading of the M72 ball using the 168 grain Matchking HP bullets. They pretty much replicate the M72 loading but just a several gains less in the bullet weight from the M72. Originally the M72 bullet was developed from an experimental long range accurate .30 caliber machinegun loading developed in WWI which was requested by the AEF. Post WWI the US Ordnance department was asked to develop an accurate round for the .30-06 for the National Matches. These bullets served as the test bed for the M72 NM .30 rounds.

Hello fjruple,

that is really interesting. May i ask for the powder-charge of your load ? What about their accuracy in your M1917, for example at 300 und evtl. 700-800 yards ? Many thanks !

Greetings from Switzerland

[gc1054]

Thanks all for the replies. I've worked up a load using the Hornady 3031 150gr FMJ & 47.5gr IMR4895 that that appears to track pretty well with the rear sight setting through 400yds and is quite accurate. Did have to change the front sight blade to obtain elevation zero (from +15 to +30). Note wrt the 308 Hornady bullet that my Eddystone M1917 has a HS replacement barrel.