7.62x39 surplus and magnet

Rick911

Rick911

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Can someone explain why a bullet that is copper jacketed with lead core sticks to a magnet ?

Is the copper that isnt really copper or the lead core that is more an alloy ?
 
CanAm said:
copper over steel = bimetal. almost all steel cased x39 uses bimetal jackets
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Ah. Wouldn't have guessed, the color looks pretty uniform.

Thanks for the answer.

So the ranges that use a magnet to test for steel core is BS ?

Or the steel-copper jacket does damage to their stop too ?
 
Any steel in the projectile can damage backstops, in theory. The bimetal is a lead core with a steel jacket and then a copper jacket over that. So it's essentially steel jacketed ammo.
 
Neat, I was about to ask the same question about 7.62x25. I bought some lead surplus off a CGNer and a magnet stuck the same as my steel core. Only difference was I could crush a bullet with side cutters.

I'm just gonna put the crushed round in my range bag incase my lead ammo is questioned.
 
Magnets don't stick to lead appreciably. There may be a mild steel jacket that still attracts a magnet or possibly a steel core in the centre that wouldn't necessarily show by crushing a bullet (or do you mean cutting it right through?)
 
yup alot of ranges dont allow all the surplus 7.62x39 because they are either steel core or jacketed which leave marks into even ar500 steel for the back stop, ive reloaded with hornady which sucks, and sierra has 150grn 303(.311) bullets to reload without any lead, other then that you are paying $20+ for 20 loaded rounds. Also a steel core or jacketed bullet in can go clean through 3/4" reg low carbon steel.
 
LUTNIT said:
Magnets don't stick to lead appreciably. There may be a mild steel jacket that still attracts a magnet or possibly a steel core in the centre that wouldn't necessarily show by crushing a bullet (or do you mean cutting it right through?)
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Side cutters go thru the bullet like butter, i have that same ammo, there's no steel in the core but bi-metal jacket does stick to a magnet.
 
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