Brazilian FMJ 7.62 (.308) - Advice Please

grayrc

grayrc

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I've been offered a chance to buy an open crate of some FMJ Brazilian 7.62 - I'm curious when it was last widely available in Canada (seller thinks it is +10 years?) and whether anyone had any comments about the stuff (specifically, whether the Norc M14s/M305 will have any issues eating it...).

What's a fair price for 960 rounds?

Thanks -
/gc
 
If it's Caivim, run away, FAST. There was a bunch of it on the market 10+ years ago that was messed up at the factory...they mixed pistol powder in with rifle powder. Several blown rifles.

Avoid like the plague.

NS
 
IIRC there was some Brazilian 7.62 hs CBC that gave very dangerous high pressure. International imported it, sold it, and tried to recall it.
 
Where else can you find the depths of wisdom contained in the collective minds of canadian gunnutz!?!

Thanks guys - my immediate response is to avoid this case and stick to whatever I can find leftover from the last batch of South African stuff (I think there's still some kicking around) - but I'll want to pass on my reasons to the seller. A quick search on 'caivim' turned up an archived post of yours NavyShooter -

NavyShooter said:
06-02-2005, 05:05 PM
I think that the ammunition that was (in)famous for the "Blow-ups" in the early '90s was CAIVIM.

If you have ammo with a headstamp showing CA 9X (9X being a year in the early 90's) be concerned.

If I recall correctly, the problem was that some pistol powder got mixed with rifle powder at the factory and was generating excessive pressures.

(I remember this from rec.guns years ago)

NavyShooter
Click to expand...

Also read with interest the 'Surplus Ammo Rules' in same thread.

/gc
 
Maybe you can get it for real cheap if you inform the seller of it's possible problems.

At least you could break it down for components or re-use the components after putting new powder in the cases.
 
Thanks Stevo - good idea and I'll suggest it as a possibility. I'm not reloading yet but having 1000 empty cases + bullets would be good incentive to start ;)

/gc
 
NavyShooter said:
If it's Caivim, run away, FAST. There was a bunch of it on the market 10+ years ago that was messed up at the factory...they mixed pistol powder in with rifle powder. Several blown rifles.
NS
Click to expand...

CAVIM is Venezuelan. Brazilian ammo comes from Cartuchos Brasilia, headstamp 'CBC'.

I also remember issues with both, though I shot up a little bit of CBC without problems.
 
Have there been any issues with the South African lot? (sorry - I don't have the headstamp details but I'm referring to the latest batch of imported 7.62 NATO surplus)

Re Stevo's suggestion - how much is a case worth just for the brass & bullets?
 
grayrc said:
Have there been any issues with the South African lot? (sorry - I don't have the headstamp details but I'm referring to the latest batch of imported 7.62 NATO surplus)

Re Stevo's suggestion - how much is a case worth just for the brass & bullets?
Click to expand...

My norc loved the SA ammo. but its pretymuch gone in canada now.
 
Here's the recal notice.

I shot lots of this stuff way back when with no problems, but not without risk.

******************************************
CBS 7.62mmx51mm Cartridges Dated 1975 Pose Risk Of Injury

It has come to our attention that CBC 7.62mmx51mm cartridges from lots dated 1975 may pose a serious safety risk. THE SPECIFIC CARTRIDGES IN QUESTION BEAR THE HEADSTAMP "CBC 7.62 75."

We hereby provide written notice to you that a potential hazard may exist
with respect to outdated CBC 7.62mmx51mm cartridges. There is a reported
risk that such cartridges may cause excess pressure upon discharge and could result in serious bodily injury or damage.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THESE CARTRIDGES BE USED, GIVEN TO ANYONE, OR SOLD.

There have been isolated reports of rifles bursting as a result of excessive
pressure in what appear to be these outdated CBC cartridges. Anindependent
testing lab reports that it detected a peak pressure that they estimated to
be in excess of 130,000 CUP, in one out of a batch of 20 outdated CBC
7.62mmx51mm cartridges dated 1975 that it tested.

CBC 7.62mm x 51mm cartridges are manufactured soley for military use in
several nations around the world. CBC has not exported any of these
cartridges to, nor sold any in the United States. These particular
cartridges are not intended for civilian use under any circumstances.

In addition, a warning is issued for any CBC 7.62mm x 51mm cartridges from
any year that bear a label on the packing material with the Spanish word
"reengastada"

That label was not affixed by CBC, and it's application to ammunition is not
yet clear.

Anyone who has, or believes they have, CBC 7.62mm x 51mm cartridges from
lots dated 1975, or CBC 7.62mm x 51mm cartridges from any year with the word "reengastada" on the packing label should immediately contact the dealer from whom they bought the rounds, and call the following toll-free telephone number 1-800-742-1094 CBC Companhia Brasileira De Cartuchos
 
Thanks - that recall notice is very helpful. I'll pass on the details to the seller and get confirmation.

Does anyone know (or can you guess) if this was Berdan or Boxer primed (i.e. how easy it would be to reload...)

/gc
 
I've now been able to confirm the info on this crate of ammo:

Headstamp is 'CBC 7,62 77' and case details ->

CBC
20 CARTUCHOS
7,62 NATO-COMUM
LOT 44-1.TRIM.1977
FAMAE Reengastada 1983


It isn't 75 -> it's 77 -but- it does have Reengastada on the box. I'm not sure if this means it was re-loaded or somehow re-engineered in '83, but it seems to fall into the more ambiguous section of the recall notice so I'm going to pass on it. Again - thanks for all the help.

In addition, a warning is issued for any CBC 7.62mm x 51mm cartridges from any year that bear a label on the packing material with the Spanish word "reengastada". That label was not affixed by CBC, and it's application to ammunition is not yet clear.
Click to expand...

/grayrc
 
NavyShooter said:
Run Away. Run FAR Away.

NS
Click to expand...

I agree, BUT... MAKE SURE the current owner is AWARE of the problems!!! I'd say break it into components like some others have suggested!

Cheers
Jay
 
Absolutely - he's aware and understands it's now a crate of reloading components. He'd be happy to get rid of it priced as such and is in the Ottawa area. If you're interested PM me and I'll pass on your contact info.

Again - thanks for the heads-up on this.

/grayrc
 
hey I've got some 762x51 CBC ammo sitting on the shelf not the 1975 issue . is there any problems with 1977? i shot some and left the rest on the shelf. as for reloading the brass it;s berdan and i just throw it out. I would;nt mind some more of that stuff from IMI or if lucky find some IVI from day;s gone past. the good stuff .
 
I have some 1977 762x51 from cbc not the 1975 stuff and I shot some and never had any problems .doe;s anyone know if there were any problem's with that lot? I would like to run into some IMI or the old IVI they are my favourite ball ammo. that cbc ammo is bredan also and has a heavy crimp for machine guns.
 
My understanding was that there were no reports of KB's with anything other that the '75 dated ammo; however, the manufacturer was not prepared to be liable for any remarketed ammo. I have shot both without any difficulties; however the '75 marked made me nervous. I still have box of '77 somewhere
 
I recently bought a bunch stamped CBC 77. I am also wondering if this stuff is safe to use. I see it is berdan primed, does that mean it is corrosive?
 
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