Port 7.62, steel jacket?

[Big JD-From the hills]

I recently picked up a case of the port 7.62X51(308) I discoverd that a magnet sticks to the bullet. Im quite sure its a copper coated mild steel jacket?

I was going to use it as cheap practice ammo for my savage 10fp le2b, But am concerned it may hurt the barrel, and its accuracy?

 

[gunasauras]

I doubt it'll hurt the barrel at all. It was manufactured to fire safely through a .308 bore.....as for accuracy, it should be as good as any other milsurp ammo.....

 

[Big JD-From the hills]

I mean to say that im concerned it may hurt the barrels accuracy potential with other ammo. Either from steel jacket fowling, or dammage to the bore.

 

[wobbles99]

Are you sure its not just steel cored copper jackets? did you cut one open and see? Just wondering as I've seen steel core ammo at the range lately.

 

[Airborn_69]

A bit tight on my 10FP but the Port stuff fires well overall w/very good results..You'll be fine!

 

[gunasauras]

I mean to say that im concerned it may hurt the barrels accuracy potential with other ammo. Either from steel jacket fowling, or dammage to the bore.

If it was going to damage your barrel, they would not make it. Copper washed ammo or steel jacketed ammo will not hurt it....I don't suspect steel jacket fouling is any worse than copper fouling. Clean well after shooting it and enjoy.

 

[Big JD-From the hills]

Yes but steel jacket fowling(if it even fowls?) Would not be removed by copper solvents thats for sure. But then again, wasent the swiss ammo for the pe90 also steel jacketed too?

Airborn, how many rounds have you fired out of your savage?

 

[gunasauras]

"But then again, wasent the swiss ammo for the pe90 also steel jacketed too? "

This I do not know, but I personally would not woory about the steel jacketed ammo damaging your bore. This being said, I'ld like to hear others comments on it.....

 

[Airborn_69]

For cleaning, the Portugese milsurp is a cinch to clean compared to the Norinco stuff...

 

[prosper]

Are you sure it's not just a steel core?

Pull one apart, and hold the bullet under a propane torch for a bit. That should melt out all the lead, and allow you to see the steel core, if there is one.

 

[Big JD-From the hills]

Yes im sure its has a coper clad steel jacket.

 

[CanAm]

Are you sure the copper is wearing through and exposing the steel?

 

[Big JD-From the hills]

When fired through the bore? If i take a little bit of sand paper... I can easly take off the copper, and expose the steel.

 

[CanAm]

The bore of your gun is no where near as abrasive as sandpaper. In most cases if steel is exposed it is only at the point of the lands and not on the face.

 

[Big JD-From the hills]

all the coper clad norinco ammo slugs fired out of the sks that I have recoverd have the steel exposed on the groves...

I think I will save this ammo for a certain 'crome lined' bore And fire my handloads only out of the savage.

 

[sunray]

The steel used in bullet jackets is far softer than the steel in a barrel. They won't bother it. However, some ranges won't let you use it.

 

[CanAm]

Copper clad steal is used by many militaries around the world. If it was wearing bores out appreciably faster, they would have stopped using it years ago.

 

[Splatter]

A note on militaries using using steel jacketed bullets...
First; Much of it is designated to be shot in chrome lined, or even stellite lined bores.
Second; even if steel jackets are three times (3x) more damaging than guilding metal, how much barrel wear id due to jackets as opposed to powder-gas erosion?

I wouldn't hesitate to use steel jackets in a rack-grade commercial barrel.