alphabrace
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Anyone shoot the BBA out of there SKS or AK's? I was wondering what others thought. Price is right at $23/100 at ammo to go. They sell a polyimer and laquer coated round. Any thoughts?
Brown Bear Ammo
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Sebago Son
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There's been alot of discussion on the AK boards about polymer cased vs. lacquered ammo. I've not used any of the poly myself, but plenty of the lacquered.
The consensus is that for immediate use, polymer is okay. But for long term storage, or for uses wherein the ammo gets a good deal of handling, it's not as good as lacquered cases.
Also, I understand that some distributors have discontinued selling Barnaul / Brown Bear because of "problems". What those problems were is unclear.
The consensus is that for immediate use, polymer is okay. But for long term storage, or for uses wherein the ammo gets a good deal of handling, it's not as good as lacquered cases.
Also, I understand that some distributors have discontinued selling Barnaul / Brown Bear because of "problems". What those problems were is unclear.
ajpelz
Member
I put 500 rounds of lacquered Brown Bear through my SKS without a problem. Fairly accurate, but dirty as expected. Expect to run 25 patches easy down the bore after a modest shooting session. No FTE or FTFs, and could keep a mag full on the 10 inch gong at 100 yards in pretty rapid succession firing. I bought a 500 pack of Silver bear SP back when they were $119. I am hoping they will be cleaner, but doubt it. Haven't made to the range with those yet. I still have at least 3 new guns I have not got out to shoot yet, 
so it may be a little while until the SKS makes it back out.
so it may be a little while until the SKS makes it back out.
Sebago Son
Member
Steel cases do not obturate as Brass cases will and because of this, the gas seal between the case and the chamber is not as effective.
A natural result is more carbon and bullet to case sealant will get into the action.
But given the cost advantages, I can live with that if the ammo is surefire and reasonably accurate.
I don't own an SKS at this point, but I do have a ROMAK, a Milled Bulgarian, a B-West Side Folder, a Yugo AKS underfolder and an NM91.
None of these guns like softpointed or hollowpointed ammo.
The only 7.62 x 39 gun in my battery that will reliably run on non-FMJ stuff is my Norinco Hunter. Everything else flattens the bullet tips and/or jams on the projectile tips.
A natural result is more carbon and bullet to case sealant will get into the action.
But given the cost advantages, I can live with that if the ammo is surefire and reasonably accurate.
I don't own an SKS at this point, but I do have a ROMAK, a Milled Bulgarian, a B-West Side Folder, a Yugo AKS underfolder and an NM91.
None of these guns like softpointed or hollowpointed ammo.
The only 7.62 x 39 gun in my battery that will reliably run on non-FMJ stuff is my Norinco Hunter. Everything else flattens the bullet tips and/or jams on the projectile tips.
I can't comment on the caliber you are asking about, but will tell you my opinion on cheap import ammo. I would/ will only run it in a cheap/import firearm.
I had some Brown Bear 9mm 115gr ammo given to me by a co-worker because it would not run in his S&W model 99. I tried it in my S&W 639 and the cases got stuck in the chamber and had to be removed with a cleaning rod. I took the remainder home and pulled the bullets, burnt the powder in the drive way, and pitched the primed cases in the trash. The bullets actually shot pretty good once I put them in a US made brass case over some TiteGroup.
I had some Brown Bear 9mm 115gr ammo given to me by a co-worker because it would not run in his S&W model 99. I tried it in my S&W 639 and the cases got stuck in the chamber and had to be removed with a cleaning rod. I took the remainder home and pulled the bullets, burnt the powder in the drive way, and pitched the primed cases in the trash. The bullets actually shot pretty good once I put them in a US made brass case over some TiteGroup.
ajpelz
Member
Well I know that my SKS shoots HP, I have put a case of Russian HP bullets through it. Not sure about any brand, they just come in a little white box, 20/pack and say non-corrosive hunting ammo 123 grain HP. Made in Russia. Bought them YEARS ago for $2.49 a box
I have manually cycled the Silver Bear SP without any deformation of the tip or jamming.... I am confidant that it will run, but who knows... Now I may have to bump it up in the line up a little to go test. Best thing about living in AZ, shooting can be done year-round. Today it is about 68 degrees, but there is a little breeze, so maybe I will make it out tomorrow.
I have manually cycled the Silver Bear SP without any deformation of the tip or jamming.... I am confidant that it will run, but who knows... Now I may have to bump it up in the line up a little to go test. Best thing about living in AZ, shooting can be done year-round. Today it is about 68 degrees, but there is a little breeze, so maybe I will make it out tomorrow.
Sebago Son
Member
The Softpoint bullet tips don't get mashed in feeding. They get mashed in the magazine under recoil. The ones on the bottom of the mag will see more deformation because they see more recoil cycles before being presented to chamber.
May not be an issue in any other gun, but it is in mine...
I am envious of your shooting climate. We're just above zero (F) here today.
Drew
May not be an issue in any other gun, but it is in mine...
I am envious of your shooting climate. We're just above zero (F) here today.
Drew
reerc
Member
Aw, shucks ... I thought this was going to be another "what's the best ammo to shoot a bear with" thread.
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