Turkish (MKE) 30-06 reported failures

[nate129]

Back in fall of 2021 several retailers were selling Turkish (MKE) 30-06 from the 1960s and 70s. It started as sealed 1000 round cans and as supplies dwindled it changed to smaller lots in the cardboard cases. I picked up a 1000 round case early on at about .82 each which was a great deal. Before buying, I did a web search on the topic which resulted in several good reviews from the Garand community.

 

Tonight I found a auction of MKE 30-06 on GunBroker and the seller mentioned reports of Garand damage with MKE 60s production. Google put me onto a few threads like this one: http://forums.thecmp.org/archive/index.php/t-285669.html

 

Above thread, and others on Reddit, report case failures, cracked stocks, and in a few examples receiver damage (this data was not out there when I purchased the ammo).

 

Now I am shy to shoot this stuff in a BAR. My guess is the massive receiver and stout buffer would help but probably not worth the damage potential. Curious what others think. Also to inform the community for others that may have bought this stuff.

Edited March 25, 2022 by nate129

[Oldtrooper]

This is just my opinion, but for the tens of thousands of dollars that we invest in these weapons, I would not shoot any kind of suspect ammunition.

[deerslayer]

You want to sell it for .82 a round?

[nate129]

You want to sell it for .82 a round?

For your help correcting the stock on my bar I'd be happy to. I can bring it with one of these days when I make the trip.

[Countryboy77]

ALL Turkish ammunition that I have heard about has always been garbage.8mm 30-06 doesnt matter its been damaging many guns over the years. Cannot just be coincidence.Dont shoot garbage ammo in any gun you value.

[StrangeRanger]

I put a ton of ZQI (MKE headstamp) 7.62x51 through my M60 with zero ammo related issues. Admittedly it was of recent manufacture not surplus but not all MKE ammo is bad.