Ok what's the secret?

[SilentBob]

Greetings, first post here.

Can someone please tell me what the secret is to putting belts in ammo cans? I'm trying to put a 250 round belt into a .30 caliber ammo can and I try to layer it back and forth, but eventually the belt tips forward and slides down so the rounds are facing headstamp up. I suspect this is due to the bullets weighing down the front of the cartridge, and the belt itself providing an elevated fulcrum for which they can pivot on.

Is there a right way to do this? Do I need the MG34/42-specific cans or is my technique simply in need of improvement?

[42rocker]

1sty Welcome to the site.


Info like that secret is guarded to just a small group of people. Ok, now your one of them. The German only put in a few belts then turned the direction of the can then added a few more belts. I believe that it was 2 belts of 50 turn 2 more belts of 50. Could be wrong, seems that I never have that much ammo around to do stuff like that. Fill belt use it. Fill belt use it. LOL

Enjoy

Later 42rocker

[amafrank]

Have a look at the manual.....normally they show a couple belts loaded with the bullets pointing one way then a few more belts with the bullets pointing the other. That keeps it more even and keeps it from falling over. Some cans have a wedge in the bottom that makes this unnecessary.....ZB37 and isreali MG34 cans for instance.

Frank

[42rocker]

Just merged the two threads and removed one of the doubled posts.

Later 42rocker

[SilentBob]

Excellent info, thanks fellas. I haven't got one of Jim Baum's fine manuals yet but it's on the list. I had always assumed the cans contained a continuous 250 rounds of linked ammunition. It hadn't occurred to me to separate them and turn them around. I have five belts of 1934-41 vintage German APT all linked together, sure looks good all stretched out!