Bulgarian 7.62x39 vintage '94 corrosive?

David Sinko · #1 10-20-2010, 06:12 PM

I just acquired 480 rounds of Bulgarian 7.62x39 ammo. This stuff is a bright orange copper color (both case and bullet) with green sealant around the bullet and primer. The primer is brass colored and not gray. The headstamp is 10 (which is Bulgaria) and 94, which I presume to be the year of manufacture. The boxes say "7.62x39mm 20 RDS-FMJ Lead Core Made in Bulgaria" on one side and "Keep out of reach of children Do not reload" on the other.

So... is this stuff corrosive? Is it common? Is it any good? I can not find anything online about Bulgarian ammo. I do believe 1994 was the year all kinds of restrictions were imposed; anything special about this stuff?

Dave Sinko

Vulcan Bob · #2 10-20-2010, 06:53 PM

I wish I could give you a difinitive answer but I dont really know, but I treat all offshore ammo as corrosive. It is more than likely good ammo for a AK-47 type weapon. I will shoot corrosive ammo and suspected corrosive ammo with no problem, I clean the weapon accordingly imediatly upon returning home and have had no problems at all. The no reload statement more than likely refers to two things, a copper washed steel case and a berdan primer.

cjw3 · #3 10-20-2010, 08:35 PM

I haven't tried this, but I have read of an old method to determine if ammo is corrosive. Pull the bullet and dispose of the powder; fire the primed case (at close range) at a piece of degreased, unfinished steel. Thoroughly clean your gun, then wait and see if rusting appears on the steel.....which I am virtually certain it will with that stuff. Or, as Bob says, just shoot it and clean well the same day.

Pisgah · #4 10-20-2010, 09:53 PM

I treat all eastern bloc milsurp ammo as corrosive, even though some may not be. No big deal, really. A quick cleanup with warm water, old-style GI bore cleaner (if you can find it), Simple Green, or original-recipe Windex removes the corrosive salts quickly and completely.

David Sinko · #5 10-21-2010, 08:08 AM

After more searching I think I am finally able to answer my own question. I found the manufacturer's website. It's in English and very well done. Round in question is Number 10 on the far right in the pic. It seems to be the only round they make for this cartridge that is non-corrosive. I guess I got lucky. I'm surprised I could not find anything about it on any of the ak-47 websites.

Arsenal Cartridge cal. 7,62x39 mm

Dave Sinko

COCONUTS · #6 10-21-2010, 09:29 AM

That ammo is non-corrosive!

The old yugo stuff in the same caliber is...

Shoot and enjoy!