Non-steel core 7.62x39 ammo?
Well to my surprise on my trip to my local range today, I was informed that I could not shoot Wolf 7.62x39 because it was steel cored and their backstop was not adequate to handle it. Does anyone know of some good ammo that is non steel cored that wont break me to shoot in my MAK-90? Preferably something I can get in 500/1000 rd. cases. I had bought a box of American Eagle by Federal, but those are $7.99/box at Academy. Help please.
-Marcus
***When the Second Amendment falls, the First will be sure to follow.***
-Marcus
***When the Second Amendment falls, the First will be sure to follow.***
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As far as I know, all of the steel cored 7.62x39 was banned from importation several years ago. I think the last was the Norinco ammo. It is more likely that the range owner just does not want rifle ammo on their range. Even the best backstops can get dimpled from repeated hits from higher velocity rounds. Did he sell you the American Eagle to shoot there? It could also be that he simply wants to sell his ammo. To answer your question, I think all recently imported 7.62x39 is not steel cored, and this would apply to Wolf ammo. 0 -
Steel Cored 7.62x39 is a thing of the past! You can still buy some for "Collector" purposes. There was some just a day or two ago listed here on Gunbroker.com in the Ammo section. But, two 20 round boxes were at a starting bid of $10.00. This is about 25 cents a round! You can Get Wolf for 10 or 12 cents a round.....less than half that!
Wolf is NOT Steel cored ammo! Somebody's up in the Night here! Seriously doubt you would be able to reasonably purchase any steel cored ammo at a price equal to the cost of Winchester, Remington, Federal, etc., ammo in this caliber. Also, one of the problems with shooting steel cored ammo is that if you are in an area with gravel, rocks, etc., it will hit and spark like "flint and steel" and has been known to light a lot of brush fires.....Most States have regulated it because of this fact alone.....along with other reasons, such as its ability to be used to pierce armor......etc.
I also understand ATF requires a roster of names, addresses, etc., is required from a seller of steel cored ammo. You might want to call your local office and talk with them about that. Meanwhile, you can find lots of imported ammo of this caliber for the 10 to 12 cents a round price.....including Wolfe which is NOT steel cored!
Fish Shudder at the sound of my Name!0 -
Stick a magnet to the round. If it sticks it is not necessarly steel core but it is steel all the same. Most of the russian stuff looks to be copper jacketed lead but in reality who knows what it is? I know this however, most of it will stick to a magnet and most of it will go through steel plates like a hot knife through butter.
"If your gonna be stupid, go find a democrat."0 -
I though that wolf was steel core as well; I pulled a few bullets and melted out the lead core. The jacket is what is magnetic. I have heard that it is really a steel jacket with copper coating in many cases.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
Bingo!
"If your gonna be stupid, go find a democrat."0 -
Maybe he is referring to 'Steel Cased' ammo? The case is made of steel instead of brass on Wolf ammo. Does he allow CCI Blazer ammo on the range? That is aluminum cased. Maybe he or someone he knows reloads or buys the empties in bulk and does not want to have to sort out steel or aluminum cased ammo. 0 -
Most all of the imported 7.62x39 ammo has a steel jacket rather the copper. Without breaking down the bullet itself it is difficult to tell whether the core is steel. The jaclet will attract a magnet either way. The steel core ammo was banned from import in early 1994 after a pistol was offered in 7.62x39, there by making 7.62x39 re-classified as both rifle and pistol ammo. Since armor-percing pistol ammo is restricted, the steel core 7.62x39 was banned from further import. There never was any Russian steel core offered in the US. The Chinese offered it either way. Both the lead and the steel would attract a magnet since they used a steel jacket on the bullet, so without cutting it appart, you couldn't tell. The Russians from the start, began exporting their ammo in a hollow point configuration to relieve some of the scrutiny of the customs service. If it was hollow point it was obviously not steel core surplus. The Chinese offered the older steel surplus as well as new production. By making as a hollow point, they had less hassle with customs. There was still the random searches and composition checks, but a lot less than there would have been if it was full metal jacket.
So the situation is, your range doesn't know what they are talking about, but I would bet that even the steel jacket stuff with a lead core isn't real good for their back stop. But rest assured that the Russian ammo isn't steel core. Convincing them of this could however be an up hill battle. Remington UMC, Winchester USA, PMC, American Eagle, etc., commercial production ammo will have a standard copper jacket. It is more expensive, but it will not attract a magnet. You may have to switch to using that.0 -
Ran into same problem on Saturday.
Using Wolfe in 762 krink, range officer put the magnet to em, it stuck.
Had to buy 20rds of federal, on 19th round the krink bent the brass case apx 15 degress, causing a faulre to feed.
My krinkie shoots steel case without failure, but put a brass case in & the sucker and it jams.
So, now if I want to shot the wolfe I have to go to a out door range.
My 2 cents
Walte0 -
Your range is VERY uniformed. WOLF NEVER imported ONE round of steel CORE ammo. Many use a light steel jacket that is about equal to copper. Ranger owners sometimes get upset when it hits a steel backstop and sparks which I can do. I had some ww-2 surplus .45 acp by Winchester that had steel jacket bullets and sparked when they hit down range. Depending on range design they may have some concern that the sparks could ignite unburned powder which can layer the floor if not cleaned on a regular basis. Many ranges just don't like cheap import ammo and it's an EXCUSE to get you to buy their ammo. But to claim it is steel "core" is nonsense. I'd tell them so. 0 -
Try this COPPER jacketed 7.62 from DayTrader--I got two cases from him earlier this year; he's one of the few sellers of Wolf ammo who knows Wolf makes both copper and iron jacketed bullets and tells you which you're buying.
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=66981420
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