<P> In 1938, the unstained, 9.8 grams (151 gr), flat - base bullet combined with the . 30 - 06 case became the M2 ball cartridge . The M2 Ball specifications required 2,740 feet per second (840 m / s) minimum velocity, measured 78 feet (24 m) from the muzzle . M2 Ball was the standard - issue ammunition for military rifles and machine guns until it was replaced by the 7.62 × 51mm NATO round in 1954 . For rifle use, M2 Ball ammunition proved to be less accurate than the earlier M1 cartridge; even with match rifles, a target group of 5 inches (130 mm) diameter at 200 yards (180 m) using the 150 - grain (9.7 g) M2 bullet was considered optimal, and many rifles did not perform nearly as well . The U.S. Marine Corps retained stocks of M1 ammunition for use by snipers and trained marksmen throughout the Solomon Islands campaign in the early years of the war . </P> <P> In an effort to increase accuracy some snipers resorted to use of the heavier . 30 - 06 M2 armor - piercing round, a practice that re-emerged during the Korean War . Others sought out lots of M2 ammunition produced by Denver Ordnance, which had proved to be more accurate than those produced by other wartime ammunition plants when used for sniping at long range . With regards to penetration, the M2 ball can penetrate 0.4 in (10.16 mm) of mild steel at 100 yards (91 m), and 0.3 in (7.62 mm) at 200 yards (180 m). M2 AP can penetrate 0.42 in (10.67 mm) of armor steel at 100 yards (91 m). These figures come from Army documents . However, a test done by Brass Fetchers shows that M2 AP can actually penetrate up to 0.5 in (12.70 mm) of MIL - A-12560 armor steel from a distance of 100 yards (91 m). The round struck the plate at a velocity of 2601 fps, and made a complete penetration . </P> <P> Commercially manufactured rifles chambered in . 30 - 06 are popular for hunting . Current . 30 - 06 factory ammunition varies in bullet weight from 7.1 to 14.3 grams (109.6 to 220.7 gr) in solid bullets, and as low as 3.6 grams (55.6 gr) with the use of a sub-caliber bullet in a sabot . Loads are available with reduced velocity and pressure as well as increased velocity and pressure for stronger firearms . The . 30 - 06 remains one of the most popular sporting cartridges in the world . Many hunting loads have over 3,000 foot - pounds (4,100 J) of energy at the muzzle and use expanding bullets that can deliver rapid energy transfer to targets . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Bullet Weight </Th> <Th> Federal </Th> <Th> Hodgdon </Th> <Th> Speer </Th> <Th> Hornady </Th> <Th> Nosler </Th> <Th> Barnes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 110 gr (7.1 g) </Td> <Td> N / A </Td> <Td> 3,505 ft / s (1,068 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,356 ft / s (1,023 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,500 ft / s (1,067 m / s) </Td> <Td> N / A </Td> <Td> 3,471 ft / s (1,058 m / s) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 125--130 gr (8.1--8.4 g) </Td> <Td> 3,140 ft / s (957.1 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,334 ft / s (1,016 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,129 ft / s (953.7 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,200 ft / s (975.4 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,258 ft / s (993.0 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,278 ft / s (999.1 m / s) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 150 gr (9.7 g) </Td> <Td> 2,910 ft / s (887.0 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,068 ft / s (935.1 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,847 ft / s (867.8 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,100 ft / s (944.9 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,000 ft / s (914.4 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,031 ft / s (923.8 m / s) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 165 gr (10.7 g) </Td> <Td> 2,800 ft / s (853.4 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,938 ft / s (895.5 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,803 ft / s (854.4 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,015 ft / s (919.0 m / s) </Td> <Td> 3,002 ft / s (915.0 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,980 ft / s (908.3 m / s) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 180 gr (11.7 g) </Td> <Td> 2,700 ft / s (823.0 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,798 ft / s (852.8 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,756 ft / s (840.0 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,900 ft / s (883.9 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,782 ft / s (848.0 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,799 ft / s (853.1 m / s) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 200 gr (13.0 g) </Td> <Td> N / A </Td> <Td> 2,579 ft / s (786.1 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,554 ft / s (778.5 m / s) </Td> <Td> N / A </Td> <Td> 2,688 ft / s (819.3 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,680 ft / s (816.9 m / s) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 220 gr (14.3 g) </Td> <Td> 2,400 ft / s (731.5 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,476 ft / s (754.7 m / s) </Td> <Td> N / A </Td> <Td> 2,500 ft / s (762.0 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,602 ft / s (793.1 m / s) </Td> <Td> 2,415 ft / s (736.1 m / s) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

What is the difference between 30-06 and 30-06 springfield