.30 Carbine
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The .30 Carbine is the cartridge used in the famous M1 Carbine. The cartridge itself was a simple, downsized (.308" dia.) modification of the .32 Winchester Self-Loading cartridge of 1906. While its straight case and blunt bullet lead some to believe it was designed for use in pistols, it was designed to be fired from the M1 carbine's 18-inch (458 mm) barrel.
The cartridge and the M1 Carbine were developed to give rear area units more firepower and range than the standard issue M1911A1 .45 ACP caliber handgun. Tankers, drivers, artillery crews, mortar crews, and other rearline personnel were issued the M1 Carbine in lieu of the larger, heavier M1 Garand but the weapon ended up being very popular among frontline troops as well. Many infantymen, particularly Marines fighting in the Pacific jungles, preferred the weapon over the M1 Garand because of the weapon's small size and weight. Also, at the ranges they were fighting at, the power of the M1 Garand was not needed and the length and weight made a full-sized rifle somewhat cumbersome.
A common misconception is that the M1 Carbine is insufficently powerful. This is a complete myth. A standard .30 caliber ball round weighs 110 grains (7.1 g)m and has a muzzle velocity of 1,900 ft/s, (580 m/s) giving it 880 foot-pounds (1,190 joules) of energy. In comparison, a .357 Magnum revolver fires the same weight bullet at about 1,300 ft/s (396 m/s) for about 410 foot-pounds (560 J) of energy. (Reference: [Winchester Ammunition]).
Israel uses the round in the Magal.
Today this cartridge is used by civilians who have an M1 Carbine, as well as any number of other firearms that also use the cartridge. Like several other rifle cartridges, .30 Carbine ammunition has had a few pistols chambered for it. The fully-jacketed version of the cartridge is considered an ineffective self-defense cartridge in pistols as their short barrel length robs the round of much of its power. On the other hand, the hollow point version of the cartridge, offered by only a few manufacturers, is considered reasonably effective even in smaller firearms. While its heyday as a major U.S. military cartridge in the Second World War and Korean War has passed (as well as in the Vietnam Conflict), the inherent usefulness of an intermediate round has meant continued use.
Specifications
- Length:
- *Case: 1.29 in
- *Overall: 1.65 in
- Diameter:
- *Rim: .360 in
- *Base: .354 in
- *Neck: .331 in
- *Bullet (nominal): .3065 in (.308 cal)
- Bullet weight: 110 gr
- Muzzle velocity: 1975 ft/s
- This cartridge has a tapered case for reliable feeding and should be full length resized when reloading.
Cartridge types
Common types used by the military with the carbine include:
- Cartridge, Caliber .30, Carbine, Ball, M1
- Cartridge, Caliber .30, Carbine, Grenade, M6
- Cartridge, Dummy, Caliber .30, Carbine, M13
- Cartridge, Caliber .30, Carbine, Ball, High Pressure Test, M18
- Cartridge, Caliber .30, Carbine, Tracer; M27
Synonyms
- .30 M1 Carbine
- 7.62 x 33 mm
See also
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