Chinese 7.62x39 surplus ammo recall
- Thread starter call2arms
- Start date
No the colour codes have changed over time and these black tips rounds are in fact API. Some years ago we had a similar issue with some Chinese ammo that was included in a shipment. We confirmed it’s nature by firing at hard targets and it did indeed ignite.
https://www.ammochannel.com/7-62x39-chinese-api-armor-piercing-incendiary/
I'm curious what Soviet color markings have to do with Chinese ammunition?
This site says Chinese ammo departed from Russian color codes in 1967, but does NOT identify what the "New" codes mean.
http s://www.bevfitchett.us/ballistics/colour-coding-of-ammunition.html
Here's a link to Russian ammo color & headstamps that DOES describe the Russian codes : htt p://russianammo.org/Russian_Ammunition_Page_Headstamp.html
http s://www.bevfitchett.us/ballistics/colour-coding-of-ammunition.html
Here's a link to Russian ammo color & headstamps that DOES describe the Russian codes : htt p://russianammo.org/Russian_Ammunition_Page_Headstamp.html
I'd like some advice on purchasing ammo for a WK180C which takes 7.62x39 rounds. Chinese surplus seems like the best deal but I'm concerned about buying chinese ammo. I am new to this so any pointers in the right direction would be appreciated.
I can think of mostly 2 problems with 7.62x39mm rounds,
1 - If it's soviet, it could be corrosive, which means you gotta clean it good so it doesn't rust, but most current production chinese is non-coro.
2- Steel case ammo, steel lacquered and brass acts differently, some rifles doesn't like steel case for different reasons, but most platforms will works with no issues and the others can be tuned depending on the problem.
From what I've seen, WK's got no problem going through steel case ammo ( 556) , I'd expect it to be no different in 7.62x39mm, but I did not shot the 7.62x39mm platform.
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I am looking at russian Barnaul right now which is non-corrosive and a decent price, the chinese surplus is corrosive so I'm leaning towards the Barnaul because of that. It has a lead core bullet with a full metal jacket and utilizes a lacquered steel casing. The bullet utilizes a steel jacket and will stick to a magnet, but its not steel core.
I suppose either will work just fine it's just economy vs corrosive/noncorrosive....and I'm apprehensive about buying chinese tbh.
I suppose either will work just fine it's just economy vs corrosive/noncorrosive....and I'm apprehensive about buying chinese tbh.
- Location
- Northern BC
I have shot corrosives in multiples 7.62's platforms for years, you just need to wash it good so you can neutralize the salt from the primer , I personally use Windex, lots of guys uses soap or even bring their SKS in the shower for example, lots of infos on the coros cleaning around here.
TBH a 7.62 gotta be working with steel case or it just defeats the whole purpose of the platform, not that much brass around and even, way less expensive to use steel.
I know first hand that some AR can have issues with steel cases but works fine with brass cases, could be the gasblock (not gased enough) , the buffer too weak, chamber too tight (steel and brass do not expand the same way) , and the list goes on, mostly on custom build, but it can be fixed.
I shot steel cases in the 556 version of the WK with no issues, so I'd expect the same on 7.62, there's a couple guys on CGN who did build some 7.62 WKs, they could inform you better than I.
I'd say if you're going 7.62, steel is the way to go, steel IS the norm in 7,62x39mm anyway, I wouldn't bother about it, for China ain't a fan myself, but that's a commie caliber so Chinese, Russian, and ex-USSR countries (if you can find it) are pretty much where it's found.
I've ben shooting Chinese for a couple years, after the supply of Russian and Yugo MilSurp dried up. As Fjorden says, it's likely to be corrosive but you can clean it easily. Water will dissolve the corrosive salts, the hotter the better as it will then dry itself mostly. Windex can help IF it contains Ammonia, but some types of Windex DO NOT. Not really necessary with Hot water, soap helps to remove some of the powder residue.
The Main question is do you want to clean more often with Chinese at ca .35/round OR spend $1.00 or more for Barnaul. And Barnaul is still 'pretty dirty' with powder residue, too. I've found Barnaul JHP AND SP slightly more accurate but that's shooting ca 150 yds or more with a 'good' SKS. Of course, YMMV ^O^
Thanks. I don't always like to go for cheap on things but if the only real difference is having to clean it then I guess chinese would be okay.
