New to the SVT-40. Are the rumors true about Heavy ball ammo being bad for it?

Gillen1

Gillen1

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I have heard twice now that using HB ammo in a SVT-40 will do bad things to it. I have only had the SVT-40 for a week and have had two people tell me that " people at the range say it''s bad". Just looking to get some opinions on this as I do not know enough about these guns yet. I have a crate of Russian Milsurp ammo that has no grain mark on it, that I would like to keep using and not have to buy a crate of 147 grain just to use in the SVT40!

Any of you SVT-40 experts care to join in and help me out? Thanks!
 
Why not pull a bullet from one of your cartridges and weigh it if you're unsure the weight? Odds are it's 147 gr anyway.
 
Well, after reading those two other threads about this topic, I still feel like I have no real answer. Mostly people saying "don't do it" or "well it works for me".
 
Gillen1 said:
Well, after reading those two other threads about this topic, I still feel like I have no real answer. Mostly people saying "don't do it" or "well it works for me".
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No problem with heavy balls, just adust your gas setting so the rifle will operate smoothly without the empty case being ejected too hard.

Joce
 
kennymo said:
Why not pull a bullet from one of your cartridges and weigh it if you're unsure the weight? Odds are it's 147 gr anyway.
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X2


Take a pair of pliers and twist the bullet out, then weigh it. Its been a very long time since 200 gr russian surplus has been on the market. Or post a pic of your bullets or the case that it came in.

As for shooting heavy bullets in an SVT40, I've been doing it for years with no problems. Sure a heavier bullet may be a bit harder on the gas system, but then again, a medium bullet is harder on the gas system than a light bullet.
 
Good idea, I'll post a pic of the bullet and top of the ammo can that it came from.

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I will continue with the ammo I have and just to be safe, buy a Light ball crate next time I need ammo for the SVT and Mosin.


fiddler said:
X2


Take a pair of pliers and twist the bullet out, then weigh it. Its been a very long time since 200 gr russian surplus has been on the market. Or post a pic of your bullets or the case that it came in.

As for shooting heavy bullets in an SVT40, I've been doing it for years with no problems. Sure a heavier bullet may be a bit harder on the gas system, but then again, a medium bullet is harder on the gas system than a light bullet.
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I am a EESA member. Next time I am going out will probably be on the 12th unless something comes up. Thanks for the invite for help!

It seemed to run fine on MFS ammo when I took it out last weekend. I had the gas setting at 1.5 and cycled fine. It was hitting a low and right, but I'm sure with some adjustment I can get it centered.



DJdeadlyDALEK said:
If you're a member at EESA, let me know when you're going next and I'll bring out a few SVT's and my gas adjustment tool and we'll tweak your rifle ;)
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I can probably make it out on the 12th - might have the whole clan with me though, so watch for a short guy in his mid thirties with anywhere from 1-3 kids with him and that'll be me... likely shooting an SVT-40 at 2L bottles of pop ;)
 
haha sounds good. What time do you normally go? I aim to get there around 12 on a saturday if I go.


DJdeadlyDALEK said:
I can probably make it out on the 12th - might have the whole clan with me though, so watch for a short guy in his mid thirties with anywhere from 1-3 kids with him and that'll be me... likely shooting an SVT-40 at 2L bottles of pop ;)
Click to expand...
 
Most likely any milsurp ammo is light ball.
Easy test.
Do you have to put your sight up to 400 to shoot on target at 100? Yes = heavy ball. No = light ball.
Do you have to relocate your shoulder after 5 rounds? yes = heavy ball. No = light ball

The only heavy ball I have seen was a pack of Wolf I picked up at Gunco. To shoot my M44 at 100 yds I had to set
the rear sight to 400 to compensate for the near 8" drop plus it had a little more umph over the normal wham.
 
I vote light ball. Almost exactly the same as the picture in this thread. The white tip is also an indicator if you read up on .7.62x54r.net/ under Ammunition and shooting.
forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?82957-Is-there-a-guide-to-identifying-spam-cans

Overall you are using light ball circa 1971 from Bulgaria (10) if I read correctly. And yes it would be corrosive so clean wisely.
 
Beermaker said:
I vote light ball. Almost exactly the same as the picture in this thread. The white tip is also an indicator if you read up on .7.62x54r.net/ under Ammunition and shooting.
forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?82957-Is-there-a-guide-to-identifying-spam-cans

Overall you are using light ball circa 1971 from Bulgaria (10) if I read correctly. And yes it would be corrosive so clean wisely.
Click to expand...

OP. Perhaps those bad things that will happen to your rifle would if you used this corrosive ammo and not clean it properly?
 
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