.308 M2 FMJ Bullets

[ManyFeathers]

What would 1000 rnds of these be worth?

These are bullets only(not loaded cartridges). They are black-tip and weigh 165 grs. Yes they stick to a magnet too.

Some discoloring but not corroded, some wear on the painted tips

Reason why I ask, someone is wanting to trade them for some things I have and these are on the table.

[Uncle Bob]

I have seen them go for .50 ea

[NEWGUY556]

Black tips usually mean Armor Piercing. Atleast .30 M2 Ball for the M1 Garand so I would guess they are a bit more valuable than run of the mill .30 pull down bullets to the right buyer/collector. Match Bullets run in the .25-.30 each range so anymore than that and you are probably doing good.

[shootnstarz]

Yes, the black tips are usually the 163gr armor piercing, forgot thr "M" number. The M-2 is a flat based 150 gr bullet and much shorter than the APs.

Rick

[Al Diehl]

According to CMP it is called M2 Ball AP.

Al

[shootnstarz]

Originally Posted by Al Diehl

According to CMP it is called M2 Ball AP.

Al

This is probably ball ammo with a copper plated steel jacket and lead core, they didn't specify weight. It no way compares to an actual AP round. I don't believe the CMP has ever sold actual black tip AP ammo, could be wrong though. Has anybody gotten any of this CMP AP ammo?

The attached pic shows a comparision. On the left is the USGI 150 gr FMJFB M-2 bullet used in most 30 cal loads. This one also has a steel jacket so it attracts a magnet.

Next is the USGI 163 gr AP, also called a M-2. Next to it is the hardened steel penatrator that lives inside this AP bullet. I've had these bullets pierce 3/4" structual steel plates at 150 yards. We've found some of these spent penatrators and they are still sharp as a needle after going through the steel.

Next are the USGI 147 gr FMJBT M-80 bullet, found in 7.62 NATO ammo, the USGI 175 gr M-72 FMJBT long range match bullet (aka the M-118 in 7.62 rounds) and the Hornady 168 gr HPBT match bullet.

Both the US M-2 ball and the US M-80 ball have copper plated steel jackets and attract a magnet. The M-72 and Hornady match bullets do not.

Rick

[rover]

if you took the time to clean them up, reload them in good brass, your time and material- they would bring about $1000. if anybody wanted to buy them, M2 AP goes for about $1 a round here.
so I would pay/offer about a $ 150-200 value as is.(if there AP).If they were pulled correctly and looked really good, they will clean up easy.

[ManyFeathers]

Originally Posted by shootnstarz

This is probably ball ammo with a copper plated steel jacket and lead core, they didn't specify weight. It no way compares to an actual AP round. I don't believe the CMP has ever sold actual black tip AP ammo, could be wrong though. Has anybody gotten any of this CMP AP ammo?

The attached pic shows a comparision. On the left is the USGI 150 gr FMJFB M-2 bullet used in most 30 cal loads. This one also has a steel jacket so it attracts a magnet.

Next is the USGI 163 gr AP, also called a M-2. Next to it is the hardened steel penatrator that lives inside this AP bullet. I've had these bullets pierce 3/4" structual steel plates at 150 yards. We've found some of these spent penatrators and they are still sharp as a needle after going through the steel.

Next are the USGI 147 gr FMJBT M-80 bullet, found in 7.62 NATO ammo, the USGI 175 gr M-72 FMJBT long range match bullet (aka the M-118 in 7.62 rounds) and the Hornady 168 gr HPBT match bullet.

Both the US M-2 ball and the US M-80 ball have copper plated steel jackets and attract a magnet. The M-72 and Hornady match bullets do not.

Rick

These do weigh approx 163-164 grs respectively and from your picture they are the ones that are 2nd from the left

They have a hollow base with what appears to be brass inside with some type of imprint, I need to inspect them again.

They are in what I'd call good condition and do look like they've been pulled.

The copper is just darker than what a "new" bullet would be. The color is just a bit darker than the one in the picture you supplied (2nd from left)

[shootnstarz]

Copper darkens with age, there's no issue there. If they weigh what you say then they are most likely real APs. The black tips are the best give-away. You can throw them in a tumbler to shine'um up again but you'll lose the black tip. I wouldn't shoot these at anything steel closer than 100m or you may get a rebound. Got a small scar on my leg from a .50 rebound.

These are fairly accurate bullets if they're not too boogered up from being pulled. They were really made for the Browning 30 cal machinegun but work fine in Garands, 03s and I've even loaded some up in 7.62 NATO rounds.

There are several other types in .308 to watch for, incendiary blue tip, AP incendiary silver tip and tracer orange tip.

As for what yours are worth I'd say 50 cents each is not out of the question if they're a good grade. Get'um while you can. They're getting harder to find as most surplus US 30 cal is drying up fast. As a matter of fact I got the last 5K surplus M-72s that HiTec Ammo had some years ago. At that time they said it was the last.


Rick

[Al Diehl]

Here is a scan of a box of M2 AP from my collection.
CMP did sell black tip AP and lots of it. They have just recently ran out as a matter of fact. My frind did pick some more up for us at the Anniston CMP store just the other day.


[IMG][/IMG]

To the OP's original question. I would not pay more than .10 a bullet.

Al

[shootnstarz]

Originally Posted by Al Diehl

Here is a scan of a box of M2 AP from my collection.
CMP did sell black tip AP and lots of it. They have just recently ran out as a matter of fact. My frind did pick some more up for us at the Anniston CMP store just the other day.


[IMG][/IMG]

To the OP's original question. I would not pay more than .10 a bullet.

Al

OK, I stand corrected.

Rick