Chinese Surplus Ammo

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gord1986

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So I opened my crate of .223 Chinese Surplus today and was surprised by what was inside. My previous experience with chinese ammo was a wooden crate that was stocked with 20 round yellow and red card board packs clearly marked "NORINCO". This wooden crate however contained two galvanized steel, air tight packages, almost like the CZ surplus 7.62x39 that came in the green wooden crates. Once I finally figured out how to open the galvanized tubs I found 40 round bundles wrapped in wax paper.

So my question is - Are these made by NORINCO or are they something totally different? Are they corrosive? Has anyone ever had corrosive issues with these chinese surplus? Would you recommend against firing them out of an expensive rifle such as a TAVOR or an AR-15? The previous ones I had used that came in the yellow and red boxes fired fine without any issues(other then the occasional miss fire), but this ammo looks a tad dodgy. Any feed back would be very much appreciated.

Here are some pics

40 round packs I found inside the galvanized container.

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Close up of round markings

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Zoomed out view of entire cartridge

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Hard primers, necks/shoulders split more frequently than US brands (rendering the split cases un-reloadable), but otherwise decent non-precision ammo that wont hurt your rifle.
The 1995 production date is by far the most common (and only one I've ever seen).
 
Never had any problems with these and shot 1000s of them.

Still unsure ? Perform the "corrosive nail test"

Good plinking ammo and half decent up to 300m, its military ammo
 
There is no corrosive .223 / 5.56

Too new of a caliber. This looks the same as my Norinco white box. My galvanized cans had 20 round boxes inside it. All made in 1995. (Like your head stamp is)
 
ShawnC6 said:
There is no corrosive .223 / 5.56

Too new of a caliber.
Click to expand...
I remember reading a bunch of reports of some odd-ball Eastern-European 5.56 ammo showing up in certain areas of the US that turned out to be terribly corrosive.
It's almost unheard of, but not impossible.
The Soviets and Chinese continued to use potassium-chloride/chlorate/perchlorate (leaves residue of chemical salts) for primers well into the 80's or 90's even though lead-styphnate (non-corrosive) had been used in primers since at least the 40's. It's cheaper and easier to produce. Mercury-fulminate is even more corrosive and it can break down/embrittle brass but it hasn't been used since the late-1800's.

On that note, all Norinco .223/5.56 is non-corrosive.
 
so i have another question. does "non-corrosive" truly mean it will never corrode your rifle, ever? or does it mean it just won't do it as fast? like corrosion resistant..?
 
gord1986 said:
so i have another question. does "non-corrosive" truly mean it will never corrode your rifle, ever? or does it mean it just won't do it as fast? like corrosion resistant..?
Click to expand...


It means it doesn't leave corrosive salt residue all over your rifle. It can still corrode but it won't be the ammos fault, it'll be neglect.
 
ShawnC6 said:
It means it doesn't leave corrosive salt residue all over your rifle. It can still corrode but it won't be the ammos fault, it'll be neglect.
Click to expand...
Salt isn't corrosive. The water that the salt attracts promotes/accelerates corrosion.
Salt is hygroscopic in nature and it attracts the water. Water is required for corrosion and salt speeds up the process.
 
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EL34/6L6 said:
Salt isn't corrosive. The water that the salt attracts promotes/accelerates corrosion.
Salt is hygroscopic in nature and it attracts the water. Water is required for corrosion and salt speeds up the process.
Click to expand...

I know, I generalize because regardless it's the salt that causes it to happen.
 
It's good, dirty, hot, noisy ammo that shoots minute of coffee can. Ejects about 100y in a Mini-14 too. I like it. No issues in my stainless Mini, AR, or others. You may experience some pierced primers.

ETA: Saskcop mentioned smelly. It's not smelly when firing (that I've found), but the crates smell... interesting when you open them.
 
ShawnC6 said:
There is no corrosive .223 / 5.56

Too new of a caliber. This looks the same as my Norinco white box. My galvanized cans had 20 round boxes inside it. All made in 1995. (Like your head stamp is)
Click to expand...
Same here, boxes rather than paper, so far. Still have 2 1/2 cases to go with no issues other than my MVP doesn't like the harder primers. MR1 eats them just fine and fires the ones the MVP can't.
 
I put a crate of it through my old M16A1 clone (the 55gr FMJ for the older 1:12 twist barrel)
Not a single issue. Every round fed, fired and ejected. Every single one.
Accuracy out of my 20" pencil barrel was actually better and more consistent than any of the US Bulk 55gr .223 ie American Eagle etc
I had a "December 1995" lot. My headstamps were the exact same as yours it was just 20 rounds per white cardboard box instead of paper wrap
I don't know what guns people who had issues with the stuff were firing it through but my old AR15 loved every single of the 1400 rounds I put through it.
Non corrosive primers as well. I never cleaned my AR. Just kept it oiled after a range. Once a year or so I would give it a good cleaning.
 
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