7.62x39 Norinco copperwashed (red) vs lacquered (silver)

I believe the copperwashed is better because you can have lacquer build up in the chamber with the lacquered ammo. I'm don't know this for sure, but I have both and when it warms up enough to go to the range I will check it out.
 
One time I had laquered ammo that had globs and drips of laquer falling down the sides. When I ran it I had a very hard time extracting some casings. I imagine copperwash is better.
 
I bought 2 of the sks+1200 rounds from canadaammo - which came with the silver packs.

I have shot about 1200 rounds so far, and havent had a single issue with it. All 1200 fired. Barrel is still crisp and shiney....

Cant speak about the Red, but the silver works just fine....
 
Lacquer will build up in the chamber over time, if you clean it good you will have no issues.

I actually had the extractor on my 858 break due to this. But I bought it used with unknown round count and put a crate through it without cleaning to test reliability. So assuming the previous owner put at least 500 rounds through it your looking at approx 1700 rounds without cleaning before you have issues. Took 2 min with a brass bore brush with some lacquer thinner on it in a drill to sort out. If you had a choice at the same price point I would go copper washed, if one is cheaper get that one.

Also depending on the lacquer used you may not be able to see it in the chamber as it is clearish. On my 858 I was shooting the czech surplus stuff and in the right light you could see a faint green tinge to the chamber before I cleaned it.

Shawn
 
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Thanks all. The reason I ask, is that I had an order in for an sks/ammo combo with the silver box lacquered cases. There was a mix up and the silver box ammo for my order was accidentally sold to another customer. Can am offered to replace it with red box copperwashed and I accepted, hoping it was as good or better. At the very least I want non-corrosive which I believe both are. I wonder what the difference in age is as well as accuracy. Again, thanks all and can am
 
I've read that SKS and other military type 7.62x39 rifles should have no problems with lacquered ammo.
Apparently .223 rifles can have trouble with it.
I think it has something to do with cartridge shape and/or chamber clearances.
 
CourtenayBoy said:
Thanks all. The reason I ask, is that I had an order in for an sks/ammo combo with the silver box lacquered cases. There was a mix up and the silver box ammo for my order was accidentally sold to another customer. Can am offered to replace it with red box copperwashed and I accepted, hoping it was as good or better. At the very least I want non-corrosive which I believe both are. I wonder what the difference in age is as well as accuracy. Again, thanks all and can am
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I have run through lots of both and have not noticed any accuracy difference. If you look around the tail you will see a date and factory number, the bottom # being date. IIRC anything after 93 should have non-corrosive primers - really not a big deal either way as long as you clean 'er up.
 
Not all copper wash is corrosive, check the date stamp, anything dated 70's and usually in sardine tins ARE corrosive. Later stuff dated 90's and usually boxed (red,silver) are NON CORROSIVE.
 
Not true^^ boxed stuff contains a corrosive primer. Unless it states non corrosive on the box, expect all surp and norc to be corrosive. Unless adverized as non corr.
 
CraigNConnor said:
Not true^^ boxed stuff contains a corrosive primer. Unless it states non corrosive on the box, expect all surp and norc to be corrosive. Unless adverized as non corr.
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The red boxed ammo CanAm was selling is copper washed and is clearly marked "non corrosive" on the box. It was also stated as being non corrosive on the website.
 
Thanx you for just further proving my point it was advertised as non and it said non on the box. Just like i said. I wasn't stating that red boxed was corrosive I just said make sure it states that it is, dont just assume all copper wash is non corrosive.
 
After receiveing my sks last night, I realized this is the easiest gun to strip and clean. I'm thinking corrosive is no biggie. Strip wash and re-oil in 10 minutes
 
CourtenayBoy said:
After receiveing my sks last night, I realized this is the easiest gun to strip and clean. I'm thinking corrosive is no biggie. Strip wash and re-oil in 10 minutes
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I agree, not an issue using ammo with corrosive primers with SKS's, I've run thousands of rounds through mine. Even if I don't have time for a good cleaning, I just give a shot of WD-40 down the barrel and gas tube - clean later and good to go. Been doing this for over 20 years and the guts are still like new.
 
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