Brass/boxer ammo in SKS

[BeaverMeat]

For reference, this is a question for an SKS with a standard weight hammer spring and free floating firing pin.

Which commercial 7.62x39 should be avoided; popped primers, slam fire, and/or bolt face damage.

My ammo of interest is PPU Privi Partizan, Sellier & Bellot and Fiocchi 7.62x39. Any issues with these three? I have shots a box off PPU without issue, although there was some primer cratering. Is this something to be concerned about? Could this lead to firing pin hole damage on the bolt face after extensive use?

Bit of a newbie so any input would be appreciated.

 

[supernova]

I've never had problems with pierced primers or slam fires but I did have some duds with S&B. They account for firing pin protrusion when selecting a primer for the round knowing most will be fired in semiautos with FF firing pins. Cratering can be caused by large firing pin holes allowing material to flow around the FP and back into the hole. The XCR craters primers with any load because of this. Milsurp primers are thicker and don't do this. Cratering is not a concern without overpressure but pierced primers will cause rapid erosion of the FP, FP bore and anything else the gases rush across.

 

[BeaverMeat]

thanks, all I needed to know.

 

[SoylentD]

For what it's worth, i've shot 1000 rounds of S&B through a Norinco and a '54 Russian SKS without one issue. They have the default triggers (Norinco soon to be modded) and the floating firing pin.
I mostly shoot Russian and Czech surplus now, haven't seen S&B for a while. I kinda like shooting production ammo as I don't feel the need to clean the rifles right away!

 

[TRaTSeRiF]

Just to add that things look good on the other side, too - modified 5lb trigger, polish and springs, milsurp Berdan-primed ammo, no light strikes after 1000rds or so.

 

[shredder0]

FWIW, the prvi shoots very very well in my SKS and I can recommend you try it.