Sparks form Surplus Ammo

[CL2000]

I just did some shooting today, had some cheap surplus from a spam can and some barnaul FMJ, same weights and whatnot, but I couldn't help but notice how much more the surplus stuff made sparks, this is both in the muzzle flash and smoke as well as on gravel, to explain its a bit like when shooting a muzzle loader and you get sparks of hot and burning powder come out sometimes, and one of the things I was shooting was a pringles can, it was fun hitting it and watching it pop away a few feet only to hit it again, but almost every time when the bullet went through the can and hit the rocks under there would be sparks, but I didn't notice either of these things with the barnaul.

I assume its just a difference in powders making the sparks in the smoke, but I'm unsure why the bullets hitting similar gravel and rocks makes one spark and not the other. As far as I'm aware, the barnaul is a steel jacket just like the surplus. Perhaps the surplus is more steel and the barnaul is more copper?

 

[Ribstaylor]

Sparks out of the muzzle are powder. Sparks on rocks being hit by bullets are most likely the surplus ammunition's steal cores. There is a reason many ranges do not allow steal cored ammunition, it's ability to penetrate or damage the range is a bit higher due to it's denser core, when compared to lead. 762x39 Surplus burns dirty, and has corrosive primers. A thorough cleaning is needed after it's use, to avoid any major rusting or pitting of the barrel, chamber and gas systems.

 

[cattabliss]

Watch out for them ricochets. Rocks are scary

 

[Ribstaylor]

Watch out for them ricochets. Rocks are scary

I second this. A 7.62x39 ricochets will kill. Have a good backstop, and know what's behind it and in the vicinity of where your shooting. Shooting steel core at rocks is probably a bad idea.

 

[CL2000]

Sparks out of the muzzle are powder. Sparks on rocks being hit by bullets are most likely the surplus ammunition's steal cores. There is a reason many ranges do not allow steal cored ammunition, it's ability to penetrate or damage the range is a bit higher due to it's denser core, when compared to lead. 762x39 Surplus burns dirty, and has corrosive primers. A thorough cleaning is needed after it's use, to avoid any major rusting or pitting of the barrel, chamber and gas systems.

I wasn't certain about the steel core, but that'll certainly explain it.
And dont you worry, I always give my guns a good cleaning, especially after using surplus

 

[CL2000]

Watch out for them ricochets. Rocks are scary

Newfoundland man, your backdrop is either forest, solid rock, gravel or water. I pick gravel because its the softest choice other than letting the bullet go flying into the woods and do goodness knows what.

 

[new210/22]

I have seen the aftermath of a small brushfire set off by steel core ammo. Be careful out there boys and girls.

 

[Cocked&Locked]

Sparks on rocks being hit by bullets are most likely the surplus ammunition's steal cores. There is a reason many ranges do not allow steal cored ammunition,...

Steel.
But yes, agreed.

 

[Ribstaylor]

Steel.
But yes, agreed.

Phones auto correct does funny things. Sometimes it writes a sentence of it's own nothing like what I typed in due to predictive text. It's ridiculously annoying.

 

[667]

Phones auto correct does funny things. Sometimes it writes a sentence of it's own nothing like what I typed in due to predictive text. It's ridiculously annoying.

Shut it off... ?