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30 Carbine Ammunition?
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101Abn View Drop Down
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Joined: Sep 10 2020
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    Posted: Sep 20 2020 at 9:08pm
Hello,

I have just purchased my first M1 Carbine. Now,I need to purchase ammunition to feed it (I don't handled)

I have read a number of posts and understand that Remington, Magtech, S&B are all good brands.

Some of you are having luck with the Korean surplus that's out there except for the occasional primer issue

And, I believe that you all would advise me not to buy Wolf and Tula due to their steel construction.

Please let me know what you think of the Israeli, Lake City, Federal Eagle and any other brand that you want to tell me about. Also, how does the Hornady Critical Defense and Buffalo Bore ammo function?

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.

Also, any advice you can give me about magazines will be greatly appreciated also.

Thank you!
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03manV View Drop Down
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Points: 262 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote 03manV Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 20 2020 at 9:53pm
Buy GI magazines.

Most any currently loaded .30 carbine ammo is fine.
I've used them all.
Soft point ammo can be problematic with feeding in some carbines.
Hornady CD ammo is great, look on Utube for tests.

I shoot Tula or Wolf when I want to. They are reliable and I've not experienced any problem due to the steel cases; remember the US used steelcase ammo also. Lots of folks have other opinions on steel case ammo, so listen and make you own choice.Cool

In today's market, you will have to buy what you can find; though carbine ammo has been less affected around here than the "popular" calibers. Smile
Don
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Points: 134 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Bigheavy31 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 20 2020 at 10:20pm
Hello- Agree with 03manV- Many varieties of ammunition work well. I recently took the plunge and bought some Korean surplus-  was pleased/ shot well- no primer issues. I have only used USGI magazines, but if you have issues with any particular magazine- retire it and move on to another. 
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Points: 2862 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote W5USMC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 20 2020 at 10:22pm
I personally love the Korean surplus ammo that is currently out there right now and that is what I will continue to buy as long as it's available.
Have shot about all the brands at one time or another, my top choices besides the Korean surplus are Magtech, Fiocchi and Lake City.
I like the federal critical defense ammo although I have had some feeding issues with it in a few of my carbines, Cor-Bon DPX has been a more dependable defensive load for me.

I only use USGI mags. 
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GI mags are best. But the current crop of Korean mags are pretty good too. Its best to stick to 15 round mags. 30 rounders are more problematic. As far as ammo goes, even Agiula will work although it is a little under powered and tends to be a bit dirty. But if you decide to reload, the brass is very good for that.
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Points: 932 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote sling00 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 21 2020 at 7:35am
Prices are up across the board. Looks like at least a third more than pre-Covid and rioting.  This morning SGAmmo is showing Korean surplus, PRVI and a little Magtech.  AimSurplus has the Korean surplus.  Target Sports USA and Midway are out.  If you have choices between suppliers be sure to check shipping prices.  Sometimes that does make a considerable difference.  Also depending on which state your in they may or may not charge state sales tax.  That really makes a difference for case pricing.  Unfortunately looks like they have all caught up with including TN tax. 
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Charles View Drop Down
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Points: 586 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Charles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 21 2020 at 8:59am
I haven't purchased any ammo from CHEAPER THAN  DIRT recently as I am well stocked, but they offered free shipping on $100 or more and at the moment, they are offering discount coupons on $100 purchases or more.
I have been using steel cases from Tulammo for a long time with no noticeable problems except the NRA does not .allow steel ball ammo in there indoor range because they say it damages the steel plates. As far as feeding problems with soft points, I polished, NOT GROUND, the feeding ramp, problem solved.
Happy shooting
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Right now the Korean surplus is the best "cheap" ammo on the market right now. I've used and loved S&B, Armscor.....used PPU with mixed results (one of my Carbines doesn't like it) and have used Aquila but have learned it's underpowered compared to others.

USGI mags are you best bet, followed by the KCI Korean mags. J&G Sales has both in stock, the USGI mags will be expensive.


My suggestion, get 3 of each type, use the KCI's as range mags and only load 10 rounds at a time max. Keep in mind mags are the weakest link on a Carbine IMO. I've 25 mags here (a mix of the 2 types) between 5 Carbines and NONE work on all 5 Carbines, I tend to mark which works on which.

I would order some of the Korean now while you can get it. Based on the ammo shortage 2013 after Newtown most manufactures tend to suspend production of "oddball" caliber ammo to use the materials for "common" calibers. .30 Carbine became hard to find and pricey post Newtown and I expect the same to happen with .30 Carbine the coming months
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All of the USGI Mags that I got from J&G were in great condition, unfortunately they raised the price recently from $29.99 to $39.99.  What a Country also has them in stock for $24.95 or $17.95 depending on condition, I bought some of the "Rusty in wrap" mags from them at $17.95 and they were as described Rusty and pretty pitted but still serviceable after some heavy cleaning and buffing.
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Points: 335 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Donnie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 21 2020 at 9:12pm
Congrats on your Carbine acquisition. 

I save my USGI mags and shoot with Korean mags. They work fine for me.
I only shoot ammo with brass casings and fmj rn projectiles. Just because. I haven't had any problems with any brand of fresh ammo. I bought a can of the Korean mil surp ammo, but haven't shot any of that yet. Frankly, I don't think M1 Cabines in good condition with a good mag are very picky about any RN FMJ ammo. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.
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I’ve run several brands of ammo thru my carbine.  It seems to enjoy the Korean surplus the most.  I’ve bought a few cans from aim surplus and the cans were not in the greatest of shape on the exterior but the inside had no issues and the ammo was clean.  The bandoliers were a little dusty but for 30+ year old ammo it looks and shoots great.

I just got an email from Palmetto State Armory today advertising selling the same Korean Surplus ammo.  I’ve had issues with PSA and shipping times so I will probably order more rom Aim.  If I order in the morning it usually ships that day.  
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Points: 1646 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote painter777 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 22 2020 at 1:04am
I advised 101Abn to get reviews from you all.
Gad I did, as usual Very Helpful Membership.

Thx for helping a new member !

Hug

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Originally posted by W5USMC W5USMC wrote:

All of the USGI Mags that I got from J&G were in great condition, unfortunately they raised the price recently from $29.99 to $39.99.  
I noticed they made a considerable price increase.  

There are these aftermarket mags with good reviews.  I tried a couple and so far so good.  There are lots of reviews.  I don't know if they are KCI or somebody else.  There's no ID.  Anybody else used these?

Also recently there have been a few folks on CMP forum selling some nice USGI mags a decent prices.  
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