Differences in Russian 7.62 HP?

[Tomac]

A month ago I purchased a couple of cases of Russian 7.62x39 122gr HP. The primer pockets & case necks are lacquer sealed and the HP extends maybe 1/4". A new case arrived today, 124gr HP, no lacquer sealing on the primer pocket or case neck & the HP is only 1/3 the depth of the older ammo. Has anyone else noticed these differences? Any opinions on performance differences? (I prefer the lacquer sealing of the primer pocket & case neck...) Tomac

[LClarke]

What appears most evident is this appears to be "new" production and thus subject to the omnipressant "bean counters" trying to squeeze the last penny,ruble or whatever out of the manufacturing process. The lacquer of course is a material cost as well as possible labor stages in application even though they may be automated. Eliminating the laquer application may offer additional benefits like easier or quicker handling of the goods. Most of this "blammo" will be expended rather quickly. Only those conscious of the need for long term storage and conflict environmental conditions will order or demand the sealed types of cartridges. Notice I said "conflict". If push comes to shove, conflicts or skirmishes will be anything but organized theatres of "battle". Get out the nail polish Virginia..........

[Devil Dog]

I have been examining commercial Russian 7.62x39 ammunition since it's introduction in 1992-1993 and have made the following observations: Early production utilized existing tooling, producing a boat-tailed projectile with a lead core and plastic spacer in the base of the projectile and no sealants. Later production used the same jacket with the lead core placed at the rear of the jacket, resulting in a long hollow space in the tip of the jacket. These will be found with or without sealants. The more recent imports
have a flat based projectile with a lead core and a shallow hollow point and no sealant. All of these variations seem to accomodate manufacturing capabilities, with little regard to performance. These cartridges are made as hollowpionts merely
to allow them to be imported as sporting ammunition. The application of sealants seems to be relative to the factory producing the ammunition and nothing more. As far as performance goes, by design, these cartridges are inferior to conventional types for hunting purposes. I have heard of dramatic performance from the early type hollowpoints. These were fired into hog carcasses with the projectile
violently fragmenting and causing massive
but shallow wounds. I consider all of the Russian varieties to be blasting ammo, based on price and projectile design. Romanian soft point ammunition has been reported to be a very good performer on the same hog carcasses, with good expansion and projectile weight retention.
The issue of the lacquer sealant is relative only to your intended use of this ammunition. This is waterproofing for combat environments and has been standard on Com-Bloc ammunition since the mid 1960's. There is such a variety of types of this Russian ammunition available, that you really can not know what you will get when you order it.

Hope this helps!

D.D.

[Tomac]

Devil Dog, thanks for the info! What, in your opinion, is the most accurate & effective 7.62x39 ammo currently available that's suitable for long term storage?
Tomac

[Devil Dog]

I have been shooting AK's for 12 + years and have found most all the available ammo to be reasonably accurate and reliable. In all reality, would you notice a real difference in accuracy with an AK?
US Commercial ammunition such as Winchester and the like are probably going to give the best possible accuracy, based on their quality. I have a personal fondness for the Czech S&B 7.62x39 FMJ based on overall quality and reliablity, but have only ever had a problem with the European imports that were remanufactured from steel core ball to lead core. My Maadi AK
had trouble with some of the E. German headstamped stuff. I would avoid this ammo except for target practice. As much as the Chinese ammo has gotten a bad reputation from some, I have never had a problem with it. The best thing to do is try all the available types you can get in quantity, and choose what works best in your weapons. As for long term storage,
internal degradation of primer and powder
is something you can only control through
storage at a controlled temperature. External preservation depends on protection from moisture. I keep all my ammo in GI ammo cans in my cellar, where the temperature is fairly constant and dry.
I did an experiment a few years ago to prove to myself that long term storage is not such a critical issue as some would beleive. I went through my cartridge collection when it got too large and sorted out about 200 rounds of 7.62x39 that were
extra or duplicates and took them out to the range to see if they would work as they should. I loaded the mags in random fashion, with ammunition from all different countries and years of production, some as old as 1950, Russian manufacture, and everything in between, including some crappy looking, dented, Egyptian battlefield pick-ups from Israel. This was taken out in
15 degree weather, knee deep snow, and fired into milk jugs at 25 to 75 yards. Not one round failed to fire and all hit their targets. Some of this ammo was rusty and had pitted or corroded cases to some degree and all functioned well. The AK and it's ammunition are hardy and dependable. Who knows what conditions this ammunition mix was stored in, but it worked. The only misfires I have ever had
were with Russian Hollow Point Ammunition, from a sealed Spam-Can!
I hope that my personal experiences have helped you, and I would be happy to answer any further question you may have!

D.D.