East German 7.62

[Butt Plate]

Anyone have experience with East German ammo? Except that the jacketed bullets don't have dimples and deformities, it looks like it could be re-packaged Russian surplus. I've heard it is decent ammo and is non-corrosive. Anyone know how it compares in accuracy/reliability with South African 7.62x39 or Sellier & Bellot. Thanks.

[Jimbob]

I dont have much grounds for comparison since it is the only ammo I have used of yet. I got a case of FMJ with my MISR and havnt gone through it yet. It is quite potent (at least the batch I got). I use a 28 inch in diameter oak stump as a target back stop, the ammo was blowing through it and exiting the back.

[JA]

The E.German ammo that I have was bought from Century Int.10 years ago. It was steel core and corrosive. It came loose 2000 in a box.

[Jimbob]

This was packaged in whiteboxes with styrofoam trays, child warnings etc. It is supposed to be be non corrosive but I am not sure whether to buy it so I clean my bores and flush the reciever after every use. Just in case. Also something I forgot to mention is out of 500 rounds I have never had one fail on me yet.

[Swiss one]

That ammo hasn´t been manufactured in East Germany...I think the head stamp indicates Russian manufacture ( it´s 13-88, right? EG
codes were 04 and 05, so at least the case is not EG )
I´m not sure if it´s corrosive ( but I assume it IS, so I wouldn´t shoot it with a not hard
chromed gun..like Rasheeds or M 59/66´s )

Is there no one in the US who imports Mesko
ammunition?? Headstamp is "Mesko" or "21", that ammo is the best steel cases one IMHO...

[Jimbob]

The head stamp on what I have is 22 80 by the way what is the signifigance of the headstamp numbers? Yes my two AKs both have chrome bores.

[JA]

Checked my E.GERMAN ammo it is head stamped 05-85. Also have 22-80 ammo it is steel core and was advertised as E.G. Book SIMONOV SKS-45 TYPE CARBINES by Wyant Lamont & Stephen Fuller states 04,05 headstamps E. German.
22= Romania
I would go easy on this ammo because it is steel core and will never be imported again.

[Jimbob]

What steel core? The box explicitly says
"20 cartridges 7.62*39mm 123 grain full metal jacket lead core bullet, berdan primed steel case, Made in Germany"
It doesnt look like reclaimed casing ammo which might explain the head stamp. Of course being "steel core" would explain the extrodinary penetration of this ammo. I will have to try to recover a bullet and cut it open or whatever to see.

[JA]

Jimbob is right,Headstamped 22-80 is lead core.