7.62x39mm ammo?

Question

So far I have been using wolf in my sks, and I recently realized that it is steel jacketed, not copper. I guess its ok because i don't shoot it all that much, but I was trying to find different ammo for it. I know remington makes that size ammo, but i have heard the primers are very soft, and might cause slam firing.

Does anyone know of any other 7.62x39 ammo? perferably something fairly cheap. I use the gun mainly for plinking, and varmits such as ground hogs. Links/web sites would be nice as I live in a small town without a good gun shop. Thanks.

Answer 1

I have both an AK and an SKS and have shot thousands of rounds of various manufacturers 7.62x36 out of both with no ill effects or problems. My weapons shoot just as good now as they did when new and with that many rounds through them are surprisingly just as accurate, even though they weren't necessarily made for accuracy.
Remember those weapons are made to digest cheap military grade ammo for long periods without being destroyed, I can't think of any military in the world that could afford to replace a weapon after only shooting a few thousand rounds through it.
I have spent time in both Afghanistan and Iraq and have witnessed first-hand the abuse dished out upon the SKS and AK-47, both have survived more abuse than you could possibly give by just plinking or shooting small furry creatures.
My advice is to shop for 7.62x39 the way I do, look through some catalogs and find the absolute, cheapest, rock bottom price and buy as much as the wife says you can afford.
As for the potential of "slam-firing" with the SKS, yes it is possible but only if the weapon is soooo dirty or rusted that the firing pin sticks in the forward position, so just keep it clean/oiled and don't worry.

Edit; I would like to add that during my time in both Afghanistan and Iraq the locals I had the pleasure to work with would clean their weapons with oily rags and containers full of diesel fuel, all while lighting/smoking cigarettes. They could never figure out why we didn't want to go near them while they were cleaning weapons.......Good times, good times!!

Answer 2

You are using the ammo that your rifle was made to shoot and will hold up just fine shooting steel case ammo in. Yes some of the Wolf ammo has steel jackets but it will not harm your rifle any time soon even if you do a lot of shooting. If you have a Yugo 59/66 then it is made to shoot a hotter brass case ammo. Remington Makes 2 kinds of 7.62x39 American and Russian. The American made rifles like the mini 30 have .308 bore and the comblock rifles have .309 -.311 bores so when you buy Remington 7,62x39 ammo the box will indicate if it is for the .308 or the .309-.311 bore.

Answer 3

The other answers have given you leads on your ammo endeavor, however I felt like chiming in regarding slam-fires and the post up above.

The other poster states that slam-fires are not common and occur "only" if you essentially hit the butt really hard. Not so - thats why its a SLAM fire. Most military rifles' firing pins sit in inertia, therefore, there is a chance the pin can protrude from the bolt as it closes. In fact, if you eject a live shell from a surplus rifle, there is a good chance you'll see a small mark in the primer - some do more than others. This is a result simply of the simplicity of the design. While not completely common, it can happen - you don't want to worry yourself with it, but it would be smart to always make sure you have a firm grip on the firearm when charging the bolt, for multiple reasons.

Answer 4

Wolf is fine for your SKS. It was made to take steel cases and laquered ammo. It will not hurt your SKS at all. It's made in the same factory that has made millions upon millions of the very same round for over half a century.

There's a lot of folks who don't like foreign Commie firearms or ammo and they feel they need to make up myths about this or that .....often painting them as 'unsafe' or 'unreliable' or whatever.

Buy you ammo online, by the case. If you need to, get a couple of buddies to go in with you. Much, much cheaper that way. Be sure to stash some away for "a rainy day". Good shooting!

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I really don't care how many years someone has been shooting, if you can't tell the difference between steel and steel-cored copper jacketed, it's time to throw in the towel.

Answer 5

Check out MidwayUSA.com, Ammoman.com, and CheaperThanDirt.com.
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=7534&categorystring=653***690***
http://www.ammoman.com/index.htm
http://cheaperthandirt.com/762x39_cff.htm

They all sell some good quality ammo for target use at decent prices. Make sure the case is brass and that they are boxer primed. MidwayUSA lets you pick cheapest priced ammo and most popular ammo. You can also read user reviews if that'll help. Of course your gun might perform differently than everyone elses.

Answer 6

I like Monarch 7.62x39 from Academy Sporting goods.

Miketyson26

Answer 7

There is currently a "shortage" of 7.62X39 ammo. Our enemies are stocking up and that leaves less to import to America. The wolf green cased ammo is not steel jacketed, it has a steel cartridge that holds the gunpowder. The bullets themselves are the common copper jacketed lead. "Slam fires" only happen if you slam the butt down hard enough to make the bolt move hard enough to make the firing pin hit the primer. It takes a pretty good whack to do that. Proper handling will make that nearly impossible to happen, but accidents can happen.

Answer 8

Test it with a magnet if it sticks to the projectile it’s steel no mater what the color,
FMJ does not mean copper nor does copper color mean copper, steel is steel no mater what you paint it.
All the Wolf I have seen was steel projectile not copper.
Any time I go to a gun show or where ever I take my little magnet with me, venders will lie to make a sell.
Steel against steel does what?
That must be why they make files out of steel.
Now wolf may change to copper soon, MAY.
But test all your ammo with a magnet to be safe.
I wont even use steel cases in my weapons, I made an investment in them, and will take care of them.
Others may say steel fine.
But for their weapons, not mine thank you.

Answer 9

Try going to cheaperthandirt.com or georgiaarms.com they both carry many different kinds of 7.62x39 ammo

Answer 10

You're shooting the ammo the gun was designed to fire. You're going to switch why? Because some idiot told you that steel ammo is bad for your gun? You honestly believe he knows more than the makers of the firearm?

Use your brain, bud.