USGI M2 .30 - Corrosive?

**Willie D** · June 30th, 2008, 07:38 PM

Should I assume that my box of US surplus M2 Ball .30 cal (30.06 Springfield) from Eau Claire Ordinance is corrosive?

I bought it before I knew the ins and outs of corrosive ammo and while I know how to clean up after shooting corrosive ammo I really don't want to shoot corrosive ammo in this particular rifle.

**tl_3237** · June 30th, 2008, 08:31 PM

The following manufacturers made small arms ammunition during World War II only and all of their production was corrosive:
Manufacturer Headstamp
Eau Claire Ordnance Plant EW and last 2 digits of year

**Farbmeister** · June 30th, 2008, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Willie D

Should I assume that my box of US surplus M2 Ball .30 cal (30.06 Springfield) from Eau Claire Ordinance is corrosive?

I bought it before I knew the ins and outs of corrosive ammo and while I know how to clean up after shooting corrosive ammo I really don't want to shoot corrosive ammo in this particular rifle.

If its a WWII issue weapons then its already seen years of corrosive ammo. If its not then whats the big deal. A little water and the salts are gone.

CMP has TONS of cheap .30-06 from the 60s Not corrosive.

**Poonie** · July 1st, 2008, 12:15 PM

Admitedly I have no experience with the ammo you speak of, however I shoot 7.62X54R in my russian guns, which by all accounts should always be considered corrosive. I always run a few patches of homemade muzzleloader solvent( Isopropyl alcohol{91%alocohol-9% water} and Murphy's oil soap) before I leave the range, then a normal cleaning with Hoppes #9 etc after getting home, followed by a few oily patches and a dry one to soak up excess oil. Never once experienced problems.

**Pukindog** · July 1st, 2008, 01:25 PM

USGI ammo dated from 1952 to present is non-corrosive. All USGI M1 Carbine ammo is non-corrosive.

Jeff

**tl_3237** · July 1st, 2008, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Pukindog

USGI ammo dated from 1952 to present is non-corrosive. All USGI M1 Carbine ammo is non-corrosive.

Jeff

Actually some 30-06 was corrosive through 1954 (WRA-AP). All were non-corrosive from 1955 on.

Summary of "Safe" Headstamps by Caliber:
.30-'06 Ball:
DAQ (Canadian) All non-corrosive
VC (Canadian) All non-corrosive
TW 51
FA 52
LC 52
RA 52
WCC 52
WRA 52
SL 53
.30-'06 AP:
FA 52
TW 53
LC 53
SL 53
WRA 55

See http://www.odcmp.org/1101/USGI.pdf for corrosive/non-corrosive GI listing.