steel core 762x39 (again)
Another thread on this question got me to wondering about the chinese mil surp 7.62x39 in the 550 and 720 round tins, 1970's manufacture date.
It is definitely steel cased and steel jacketed but is it all steel core? If not, can anyone tell me how to tell from the writing on the tin or crate? I really don't want to break open a sealed tin to cut one open in order to find out.
Sorry to beat a dead horse. I did do a search here in the experts forum but the threads I found were inconclusive.
It is definitely steel cased and steel jacketed but is it all steel core? If not, can anyone tell me how to tell from the writing on the tin or crate? I really don't want to break open a sealed tin to cut one open in order to find out.
Sorry to beat a dead horse. I did do a search here in the experts forum but the threads I found were inconclusive.
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gauche_but_honest,
Good question.
Unless the ammunition cans are marked steel core or the cartridges are color coded there is nothing special about it. It is just plain old surplus military ammo. Steel core or armour piercing is a specialty type of ammo. Russian and Chinese (others included) military surplus is made with cheap steel because it is the economical material of choice. That is just the way these these countries make their ammo. It is not specialty use for armour penetration.
Steel is the material of choice for many of the developing nations because it is cheaper to use than brass and copper. Their steel ammo is not designed for armour penetration and should not be advertised that way. Few nations have the luxury that the US affords its citizens.
Regards,
Heavyiron[8D]0 -
I have two tins of 720 rounds, both the pull tab type of tin. After cutting one of the rounds open the other day, I found a thin steel casing over a lead bullet. Both of the tins came in a wood box that was not painted, only chinese writing on it. 0 -
wouldn't a steel jacketed bullet create REALLY heavy wear on the bore?
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As mentioned, this stuff is ussually copper washed MILD steel. I say mild steel because it is VERY low tensile strength/soft steel. It was of course cheaper, but made for a bullet that was much lighter than one of the same size made with a lead core. Since the barrels were made of a MUCH higher grade of steel, the copper washed mild steel, while somewhat erosive, is not THAT bad on them. At least it would have served well for the expected life of you run of the mill military rifle.
While steel core does have some armor plate penetrative abilities, REAL armor piercing ammo is normally constructed with something like a Tungsten steel rod in the center. THAT stuff generally WILL go through thin armor plate like a hot knife through butter![;)][;)]
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