Surplus ammo issues 762x54

wd113

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Went to the range today with my m44. Just opened a case of chinese 7.62x54. Finished off my mfs rounds then started into the others. Right away I noticed they were difficult to close the bolt with. Out of about 8 rounds 3 were split upon inspection. Went up the road and got a box of mfs fmj's. Shot the whole box without issue. So now I have 872 more of these chinese rounds I dont want to shoot...... Anybody else run into this. It must be the ammo, Ive never had an issue with the rifle.....
 
'82 would be a lot newer than the stuff I've seen. Are you sure it's not '62? Where were the splits in the casing?

That's the exact opposite of my experience with it. I've found it's extracts nicely.
 
They were split before you shot them or after ?

Are they copper coloured case or greenish with a lot of laquer?
 
While the OAL varies, causing the bolt to be hard to close, I have had no casing split. I find the Chinese surplus quite accurate.
 
casings.jpg
 
The colour looks off... they are a red'ish' brass colour that you can scratch off.. another thought- Would this be a headspace issue? But a whole box of different ammo was fine.
 
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The colour looks off... they are a red'ish' brass colour that you can scratch off.. another thought- Would this be a headspace issue? But a whole box of different ammo was fine.

The cases are copper-washed steel, the colour is normal.

The neck splits aren't uncommon and don't indicate a headspace issue, IMO.
 
it maybe a good time to break out the vernier caliper and check the dim's on the fresh cases and bullet dia ... are they undersized ? ...expanding when fired, to the point of spliting

not a good sign !
 
I got it from canammo..... But Im not gonna blame them at all.... I also got this box at least a year ago.. So where should I measure? Rim thickness, rim to shoulder, diameters. Thinking about this, the problem is a space somewhere that shouldnt be there, right? So, in theory a thin walled casing that was the perfect dimensions (to that gun) wouldnt split because there is no where for the pressure to go...yes/no?
Also anybody have the dimensions. I have a ammo and balistics book, has everything except 7.62 x 54 it seems....
 
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Send it to me, I'll shoot it.:)

It's 50 year old surplus, steel-cased ammo being shot out of a 70 year old service rifle, a few split necks are not a big deal. If you get case head separation, that's a cause for concern as it would indicate a headspace issue.

If you have access to another MN, try the ammo in it. Your M44 may just have a more generously sized chamber.
 
Ok, Thank you for the responses.... lets narrow it down to two simple questions. 1- is it safe to shoot? 2- Will I damage my rifle? I know its old ammo in an old gun, But my main concern is the guy holding the gun....
 
Ok, Thank you for the responses.... lets narrow it down to two simple questions. 1- is it safe to shoot? 2- Will I damage my rifle? I know its old ammo in an old gun, But my main concern is the guy holding the gun....

Well, I think you've answered your own first question. You've already shot it with no ill effect. No, it won't damage your rifle.

I've had hundreds of split cases over the years.
 
well i went and shot some today i shot 50 rounds had 4 split and one fail to fire.

IMG_20130224_172824_zps73c9e5aa.jpg


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and i had too much time on my hands

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i am not too worried about shooting it, i never noticed anything different on the shots that split.
 
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