M2 military bullets - what kind of accuracy should I expect?

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Taylor300
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M2 military bullets - what kind of accuracy should I expect?

Post by Taylor300 »

I’m in the process of loading some up for 300 BO. Might try some in 308 as well. Started wondering how accurate these bullets actually are? Can you get 1 MOA out of these old military bullets? Or should I expect 2-3 MOA at best?
GeronPG
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Re: M2 military bullets - what kind of accuracy should I expect?

Post by GeronPG »

I'm not sure exactly what an M2 is. I've used pulled military 173 gr. match bullets over the years in my .308 and some in my 300 BLK.

My 308, a Remington 788 is capable of 1/2" to 3/4" groups at 100 yds with Sierras, and shoots the pulled match bullets at around 1 to 1 & 1/4"

My 16" 300 BLK is capable of 1" groups with several 125 & 130 gr bullets, it likes Accubonds the best, but will shoot the pulled 173's about 1" at 50 and around 2" at 100. I haven't shot a lot of them, or really worked up an accuracy load, I was just shooting them to have something to shoot.

So what can you expect? Depending on your gun and load, I'd hope you could get similar results.

Hope this helps.
Last edited by GeronPG on Sun Jul 17, 2022 3:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Taylor300
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Re: M2 military bullets - what kind of accuracy should I expect?

Post by Taylor300 »

Thanks for the info! The M2 bullet was used in ammo for the M1 I believe? 152 grains. The base is actually open and you can see the core of the bullet. I tried a few yesterday in loads and got terrible results. I have some Hornedy #3031 150 grains and I'm going to try again with those. I will keep at it until I get a load my RAR likes.

Thanks again!
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dellet
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Re: M2 military bullets - what kind of accuracy should I expect?

Post by dellet »

“Milspec’ is 2 MOA.

That said, many people get MOA or better results. If they are pulls, it’s a wildcard. Depends on how they were pulled and how much damage was done.
300 Blackout, not just for sub-sonics.
Taylor300
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Re: M2 military bullets - what kind of accuracy should I expect?

Post by Taylor300 »

Tried the same load with a Hornady #3031 150 grain bullet today. Was finally able to get a sub MOA group. It would seem my gun does NOT like those M2 bullets. I think I'll just use those for subsonic plinking rounds at 25 yards.
LouB
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Re: M2 military bullets - what kind of accuracy should I expect?

Post by LouB »

In my Remington 308 rifle, using pulled WW2 vintage M2 ball bullets from Jeff Bartlett I had for 10 shot groups at 100 yards of 2.3 MOA diameter groups. About 10% of the bullets yielded fliers. The loads were supersonic and the rifle with SRA match bullets is 0.6-0.7 MOA rifle.

Another data point.
Lou
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