Current 7.62x39mm Military Ammo, Question

[lone-wolf]

Is what the US is supplying to it's 'allies' in the middle east, corrosive?
Assuming the Russians(and similar countries) are still manufacturing it, are they still making it corrosive as well?

Just curious.

 

[CanAm]

They are supplying both new, NC and surplus corr.

 

[curtmg]

They are supplying both new, NC and surplus corr.

Why still produce corrosive? Is it a cost thing? I can't see longevity being a huge concern these days. Ink is probably not even dry on the case before it gets opened. I don't see that any of the stuff being made now, will ever sit around gathering enough dust to get surplussed out to civillians. Who knows, 2012 will hit, and we'll all just sit around singing Kumbaya.

 

[CanAm]

I believe all the new is NC.

 

[eltorro]

Why still produce corrosive? Is it a cost thing? I can't see longevity being a huge concern these days. Ink is probably not even dry on the case before it gets opened. I don't see that any of the stuff being made now, will ever sit around gathering enough dust to get surplussed out to civillians. Who knows, 2012 will hit, and we'll all just sit around singing Kumbaya.

Two reasons. Mercuric primers are better. (and are already in the "recipe") Two... soldiers clean their rifles about daily when they use them, regardless of how corrosive the ammo is... so no problems.

 

[CanAm]

THey are not mercuric, they are chlorate. Merc is very old.

 

[RaTa]

Why still produce corrosive? Is it a cost thing? I can't see longevity being a huge concern these days. Ink is probably not even dry on the case before it gets opened. I don't see that any of the stuff being made now, will ever sit around gathering enough dust to get surplussed out to civillians. Who knows, 2012 will hit, and we'll all just sit around singing Kumbaya.

I don't think anyone has done this since the 90s.

 

[curtmg]

I misread Canam's first reply, now that I read it out loud very slowly, it sunk in

They arey supplying both new, Non-corrosive ammo, and also old Surplus Corrosive ammo. In misreading, I thought he was saying there was also newly manufactured corrosive ammo. Thanks to all for clarifying.

 

[lone-wolf]

So is the new stuff still not re-loadable?

 

[CanAm]

It steel case, Berdan primed. Most ammo produced outside NA is Berdan, except most 5.56 and almost all 50BMG.

 

[chopper 1]

Non corrosive

I have heard that wolf non corrosive was in short supply because the entire Russian production has been purchased by AmeriKa for suppying the Afghan and Iraqui military and police after the U.S. pull out --

 

[eltorro]

THey are not mercuric, they are chlorate. Merc is very old.

Interesting. My army course said somethink else. Maybe times are changing. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[CanAm]

Interesting. My army course said somethink else. Maybe times are changing. Thank you for the clarification.

Mercury went out of common use before the war. I suppose the Russians may have used it along the way. Corrosive refers to the Potassium Chlorate based primers, which is an excellent, stable, reliable compound. The residue attracts water, making salt water. Mercury Fulminate is not particularly corrosive, it just reacts with brass, weakening it, so it was phased out.

PS: You have piqued my interest on this subject. I have emailed an expert in primers. We should have some good info soon.