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Thread: Powder from two 30/06 WW2 era ammo

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Powder from two 30/06 WW2 era ammo

    I inherited a 50-cal ammo can full of a mix of loose ball and A-P ‘06. Dirty with some corrosion that comes off with a green pad and brass cleaner (not Brasso). I pulled one of each and both look like the photo. Small number of darker powder nuggets. No smell or dust. Any thoughts? Headstamp on the A-P is SL 42: on the ball it is TW 54. Thanks (failing the photo upload, failing the taking a new photo, will edit if I figure it out)Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
    Boolit Master

    pworley1's Avatar
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    I think most of the WWII rifle ammo was loaded with IMR 4895.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
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    Yup, should be IMR 4895. I still have half a "Spam Can" of SL42 ammo that still shoots great.
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    As a bonus the TW54 (made at Twin Cities Ammunition Plant) should be loaded with noncorrosive primers according to this chart. I believe it originated with an American Rifleman article years ago and it's now on a lot of websites.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails NonCorrosiveChart.jpg  

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy
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    I’ll ask more directly. Should I worry about these dark powder granules in these rounds? I would like to shoot them or sell or trade with a clear conscience. Thanks.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Weigh charges dumped from ten rounds. Move decimal. That is your max charge with 147-150 grain bullet if you want to pull down. Modern primers are a bit hotter than WW2 corrosive, so cut 5%.

    But I would just shoot the ammo and clean with hot soapy water and oil afterwards. Decap and wash brass before sizing. Dillon Auto Sewage makes short work removing the primer crimp. Brass is good.

    The TW54 Ball M2 is good ammo. They used lots 41270, 41272, and 41274 at Quantico for sniper training in Winchester Model 70. I still have a little. Some of the WW2 APM2 is also very accurate.
    Last edited by Outpost75; 08-14-2023 at 05:54 PM.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tonto View Post
    I’ll ask more directly. Should I worry about these dark powder granules in these rounds? I would like to shoot them or sell or trade with a clear conscience. Thanks.
    Just shoot it... I had some from WW1, it shot OK.... Clean with warm soapy water and then oil...

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tonto View Post
    I’ll ask more directly. Should I worry about these dark powder granules in these rounds? I would like to shoot them or sell or trade with a clear conscience. Thanks.
    If you are going to pull the AP bullets I would like to get some ???

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check