"Spam Can"?
Printed From: The Carbine Collector's Club
Category: The Club
Forum Name: Safety/ Accuracy/Shooting/Ammunition/Care and Maintenance
Forum Description: What to Check, Reloading, Tips for Accuracy, Competitive/Recreational Shooting
URL: http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5161
Printed Date: Oct 02 2023 at 9:25pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: "Spam Can"?
Posted By: 101Abn
Subject: "Spam Can"?
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 1:58pm
| What is a "Spam Can". I know it's 30 carbine ammo, but that's all I know. |
Replies:
Posted By: SSNPingjockey
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 2:05pm
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They are just called "spam cans" as a slang term because they are the type of ammo cans that are sealed like a can of Spam. They are not reusable after opening because the seal is destroyed. There is a pull-tab that peels the can open.
------------- Chad USN Retired |
Posted By: 101Abn
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 2:08pm
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Thank you. Who made the ammo and is it considered good to shoot? Better than the Korean surplus that's out there now?
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Posted By: W5USMC
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 2:11pm
Various manufacturers packed ammo in spam cans. Below is a spam can of Lake City ammo. ------------- Wayne USMC Retired NRA Life Member |
Posted By: 101Abn
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 2:13pm
| Would you prefer to shoot 600 rounds in a Spam Can or the Korean surplus? |
Posted By: SSNPingjockey
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 2:15pm
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I'm pretty sure that they were made by many different manufacturers at the time that they were in use. Somebody with more knowledge of them will likely add or correct, but pretty sure that Lake City and Winchester made ammo that came in spam cans, as well as others.I see them for sale fairly often and I think the ammo inside is likely great to shoot as long as no moisture got in and corroded them. I've seen people selling partial cans that had been open and the ammo looked good to shoot. A friend has an unopened can of M2 .30-06 ammo for the M1 Garand and I am fairly certain it will be good to shoot as the can is pristine. I think it was made in the late 1950's or early 1960's. ------------- Chad USN Retired |
Posted By: SSNPingjockey
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 2:17pm
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Wayne....did they have spam cans at any time during WWII? ------------- Chad USN Retired |
Posted By: W5USMC
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 2:20pm
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If I had a sealed spam can of USGI ammo I would consider it more of a collector item and would leave it sealed. The Korean surplus shoots very well and until recently when the prices skyrocketed was a very good deal. As far as accuracy I have not noticed any difference between USGI Lake City ammo and the Korean Surplus ammo, they both shoot the same to me. ------------- Wayne USMC Retired NRA Life Member |
Posted By: SSNPingjockey
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 2:21pm
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Just my opinion.....but if I bought an unopened spam can in nice condition with a good look to it.....I'd probably want to hang onto it and never open it. That's just me. I'd shoot the Korean surplus ammo over opening up a spam can. Not much, if any, collectability to Korean stuff, but there is to an unopened nice spam can. ------------- Chad USN Retired |
Posted By: W5USMC
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 2:31pm
Yes ------------- Wayne USMC Retired NRA Life Member |
SSNPingjockey wrote:Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 3:43pm
Spam cans also were for M2 30.06 ammo and the cans came in cool wooden boxes.
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Posted By: 101Abn
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 5:11pm
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Thanks everyone. Interesting history.
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Posted By: SSNPingjockey
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 7:27pm
 Here is a WWII one. Now I know what those “Repacked” boxes came in. Found this online, not mine. I may need to get one of these. ------------- Chad USN Retired |
Posted By: Smokpole
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 7:35pm
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Hey Donnie! I've got a wooden ammo chest just like that sitting in my basement full of .30-06 ammo in stripper clips! ------------- OGCA Life member NRA Life member Ashtabula Rod and Gun Life member |
Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 7:41pm
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Neat! I just got this wooden crate a few months ago. The crate is so beautiful. I love the flaming bomb and the ordinance wheel.  I have yet to use any of it. I bought it for my Winchester M1D.  |
Posted By: painter777
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 8:07pm
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Dick, The one your looking at is listed as a 800rds. Here is a 600rd.This one sold for $800 plus 20.5% buyer fees 12-15-20, not sure about shipping and tax. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/93194831_us-m1-30-carbine-ball-ammo" rel="nofollow - https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/93194831_us-m1-30-carbine-ball-ammo  Charlie-P777
------------- Living Free because of those that serve..... |
Posted By: GotSnlB28
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 8:49pm
Here's the King Spam of M2 ball!  
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Posted By: Donnie
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 8:57pm
520 rounds! Wow, I guess that is the king.  I've never seen any of those before. I'm sure that would be expensive to purchase in today's market.
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Posted By: GotSnlB28
Date Posted: Jan 12 2021 at 10:01pm
Right before Orest Michaels retired from CMP, they had a lot of interesting stuff they cleared out. One item was these 520 round spam cans of M2 ball. They had LC, TW, and WRA, all non-corrosive. Something like $350 or $375 IIRC. They were originally packed in crates of two but the cans were too heavy to ship by the crate so CMP sold them individually. They were going to burn the crates I think but some asked about buying them and they were posted on e-store for $10 IIRC. So I had to get one to go with my ammo of course  . Very cool box with the cross cannons like yours above.They also sold some giant 1800 round spam cans of the aluminum cased M35 .410 ammo at the south store, .10c round. Unfortunately no picture of those or the wood box they were in. I have some of the smaller 500 round cases in wooden crates, no spam can. |
Posted By: 101Abn
Date Posted: Jan 14 2021 at 8:28am
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Charlie, The seller is in Mt. Pleasant-about 3 hours from me. Too far for me to drive.
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