Non-corrosive claims... ?

[M29since14]

Just looking for opinions. Generally, I am always leery of the quality of any ammunition that is not made in the U.S., or one of the more industrialized western countries.

Recently, I have started looking for 7.62x39 ammo, since I now have an AR upper for that caliber. I do not intend to reload, so a boxer-primed, brass case, while nice, is not a requirement. But non-corrosive is another matter.

I see several types of imported ammo that claim to be non-corrosive. In particular, I am thinking of a product marketed under the trade name Golden Tiger, from Russia. This functions and shoots pretty good, and is reasonably priced.

In general, do you all give any weight to the non-corrosive claim in ammunition produced in the Com-block countries? I would hate to start cleaning my AR15 in this caliber with hot, soapy water.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Just because it is corrosive doesn't mean it isn't quality ammunition. However, something being marked non-corrosive and it actually being corrosive is another thing altogether.

 

[DoubleH]

In my experience, the "modern" manufactured ammo by Wolf, Barnaul, Tula, PRVI, S&B etc. have all been non-corrosive. The Royal Tiger I have shot has been non-corrosive. The 80's and before I would think are questionable.

 

[grendelbane]

I am leery of all ammunition, no matter where manufactured! I trust my own reloads more than I do factory. I have had recent, premium US cartridges pop primers a couple of times. To be fair, I have had a case head separation from 3rd world ammo, numerous mis-fires, (probably due to poor storeage,not poor manufacture), and in one notorious example, extremely inaccurate ammuniton. (Only 2 cases, and it did give at least plinking accuracy in my M1a).

Again, to be fair, my reloads have also produced a case head separation. Though it was a much reloaded case, and would not have been used in any serious situation.

I don't worry the slightest about corrosive ammunition, as long as I know its corrosive. I believe that you can trust the commercially manufactured ammo to be telling the truth. Now, the importers of surplus ammunition, you can't. Some times they will say that their ammo is "mildly corrosive". This is equivalent to a woman saying that she is "mildly pregnant".

It is hard to damage an AR15 by cleaning it with hot soapy water. I have fired cases of the old Egyptian 9mm through my AR, and I always cleaned it with hot, soapy water. Your 7.62 will have a gas tube, but that should clean up well too. Follow the hot soapy water with even hotter plain water, then oil as you normally would. All will be well.

People cleaned guns this way for centuries. I don't know why it fell out of style, as it is extremely effective.

 

[metrotps]

GT is considered to be quality ammo and is non-corrosive. Check some of the AK forums and Surplusrifle forum. That said I clean my guns as if ALL ammo is corrosive.
From surplusrifle forum: "Get golden tiger if you can, I really like that. I also use most any wolf or brown/silver/grey/pink/lavender bear ammo"
" +1 Golden Tiger "
" I wanted to mention that my Wasr will keep 10 rds of Golden Tiger in the black at 100yds on an SR-1 target."
" its a great shooter with golden tiger! ts200 peep and fine front post. " SKS

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I consider all offshore surplus/Russian ammo to be corrosive and clean accordingly. Way cheaper than a new barrel. My AR's only get US ammo to eat.