Any 7.62x39 experts hereabouts?

[Faulkner]

I came upon a case of what I figured was 7.62x39 ammo at an estate sale recently. It was two 750 round tins that were unopened when I first saw them. I told the seller I was interested in the ammo and asked if he knew what was inside and he said he didn't.

"Let's open one up and see," he said. "I don't know what all that gibberish on the box means."

"Me neither," I replied.

He opened the can and sure enough it is steel cased 7.62x39 FMJ. I'm guessing the head stamp is some kind of date code, maybe 1989. I'm also guessing it's Chinese just by looking at the markings on the box. I took it home for a steal to plink with in my Russian SKS.

Wondering if anyone more versed in surplus 7.62x39 was familiar with this and could I.D. it.

 

[Malysh]

Yup, Chinese steel core.
61 is the factory code, but no Chinese factory name is listed. 89 is the year of manufacture.

This is my favorite Com bloc ammo for my AK rifles.
Let me know if you ever want to
sell one of the tins.
Hint: It's worth more than you perhaps think.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Good stuff to plink with........I shot 3 crates of that stuff through my Ruger MINI-30........Still have the rifle.....Still shoots good.........BTW....Back then a crate of 2 spam cans was $80.00 at most gun shows.......I DID clean my rifle well after shooting that stuff in it.

 

[alwslate]

By 89 it should have non corrosive primers but best to test it to make sure.

 

[rwsmith]

How do you test.....

By 89 it should have non corrosive primers but best to test it to make sure.

How do you test for corrosive primers? I avoid questionable surplus ammo, but you never know when there will be a 'run' on military ammo.

 

[BB4XL]

I have used Windex to clean the corrosive effects. Also Ballistol works well too.

 

[alwslate]

How do you test for corrosive primers? I avoid questionable surplus ammo, but you never know when there will be a 'run' on military ammo.

Pull a bullet from a round, dump the powder out and put the case mouth down on a piece of cleaned mild steel. Pop the primer with a punch and a hammer. This is safe, I've done it many times. Put the steel with the primer residue where it can be exposed to the outside air, like in your garage maybe. If the primer is corrosive the steel will show signs of rusting within 24 hrs. If non corrosive it will never rust.

 

[Puller]

I did a quick search and it looks like 700 round spam cans are going for nearly $400.00 plus shipping a can these days.

 

[Pisgah]

I used to buy that ammo, $39.95 for 550 rounds...

 

[loc n load]

7.62x39

Good find! It’s good ammo. Bought a quantity of crates of Chinese 7.62x39 back in the 80’s. Still have some.

 

[tom2]

Steel cased import ammo like that was good because it was CHEAP. Now that the rifles and the ammo are vastly inflated to unimaginable levels, well it is up to you if it is worth it. Makes sellers happy though if you want to sell. Just remember asking and getting is two different things. How much patience do you have to find the right buyer with money to burn?

 

[Faulkner]

Yup, Chinese steel core.
61 is the factory code, but no Chinese factory name is listed. 89 is the year of manufacture.

This is my favorite Com bloc ammo for my AK rifles.
Let me know if you ever want to
sell one of the tins.
Hint: It's worth more than you perhaps think.

I may sell off the unopened one, I certainly don't need that much SKS ammo.

 

[Malysh]

I may sell off the unopened one, I certainly don't need that much SKS ammo.

That would be great. If you decide you want to, please send me a P.M. or
an email.