Czech vs Bulgarian surplus 7.62X54R

(Czech) http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8735&dir=18|830|853
vs
(Bulgarian) http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8736&dir=18|830|853

I realize that, when talking about quality, surplus ammunition varies widely, and that all are corrosive to some degree. However I'd just like to get a general feel for some of the ammo being sold at the moment as I'm looking to buy a can very soon.

So, if you have some experience with these two types of ammunition, or similar varieties, feel free to vote and post!

I'm looking for the ammunition to fulfill my priorities in this order:
1) Least damaging to the rifle (M91/30)
2) Most accurate
3) Has longest range
4) Most powerful

I also realize that in most cases, after you get past #2 or so everything else goes out of the window since with surplus ammo choice is limited, but I figured I'd give you the information anyhow :)

They all shoot great. Pick the Bulgarian.

I got a 300 round can of the Bulgarian (yellow tip stuff),the Bulgarian stuff worked great, just check every bullet.

Haha, nobody voted

There's a poll guys!

A quick question or two, if I may.
1. Why are you interested in the "most powerful" load?
2. How does the "longest range" and "most powerful" fulfill your priorities?

These are just curiosity questions.

Most powerful is #4 on my list, let me explain my prioritizing:

One: choose from the available surplus ammo the varieties which are least damaging to the rifle
Two: choose from the remaining surplus ammo (after executing step 1) the most variety with the highest accuracy
Three: choose from the remaining surplus ammo (after step 1 AND 2) the variety with the most range
Four: choose from the remaining surplus ammo (after 1, 2 and 3) the variety with the most power

Obviously you need at least 4 varieties to choose from to make this process sensical, but I provided the information merely in case someone suggested some ammunition other than the Bulgarian and Czech that I have mentioned here.

So essentially, I want to fill those in the order which I had listed them. The ones toward the bottom are not as important as the ones toward the top.

Cool. If you have a local fun shop, see if they carry surplus rounds. Sometimes they will sell them by the box or bundle. This will save you from buying ammo by the case lot without any idea of how it will perform in your weapon.
I saw your M-N thread. Your 91/30 has some nice looking timber.:)


BTW,
There are several hunting types of ammo available too if you want to try your hand at that. Prvi Partisan and Wolf make loadings using soft point bullets. IIRC, Norma also makes hunting style cartridges in 7.62x54R. Of course, they are more expensive than the surplus, but are worth it for the performance you get from them.
I've read good things about each. Your accuracy changes for the better using these current production rounds too (also from what I've read).

I recently ordered two tins of the Bulgarian. It's 1981 production and I'm very happy with it and I'm about to get two more. A buddy of mine has a bunch of the Czech and while it shoots fine, the Bulgarian seems to have a better overall quality.

While it isn't on your list anywhere, the Czech stuff has a very strong odor. Not at all like Chanel, nor even Brut 33. More like eau de feedlot.

Perhaps the Bulgarian does not offer so pungent an aroma.

go bulgy for 1 reason in my opinion....

40 rounds more for $5 less...

it's a tough economy, you've got to be fiscally responsible. =)

Most powerful is #4 on my list, let me explain my prioritizing:

One: choose from the available surplus ammo the varieties which are least damaging to the rifle
Two: choose from the remaining surplus ammo (after executing step 1) the most variety with the highest accuracy
Three: choose from the remaining surplus ammo (after step 1 AND 2) the variety with the most range
Four: choose from the remaining surplus ammo (after 1, 2 and 3) the variety with the most power

Obviously you need at least 4 varieties to choose from to make this process sensical, but I provided the information merely in case someone suggested some ammunition other than the Bulgarian and Czech that I have mentioned here.

So essentially, I want to fill those in the order which I had listed them. The ones toward the bottom are not as important as the ones toward the top.

What is this mumbo jumbo?

Go get some and shoot it. I've shot everything out there I like both the Czech Silver Tip and Bulgarian Light & Heavy ball. You'll have to find what your rifle like best.

What is this mumbo jumbo?


Appears to me he's trying to get the best bang for the buck.
A good idea if the current economy is having a negative impact on the ol' budget.
It would suck if ya buy a sealed tin of ammo and your rifle bawks at it. Especially at the price their getting today for a tin of surplus. When it was $39.95 for a 440 round tin and $59.95 for an 880 round case it wasn't too bad. Now they are going for two and three times that. And, check this out, the Gander Mountain they just built here wanted $179.00 for a 440 round tin of Bulgarian. :eek: And they sold out! :what:
That would suck big time for me as the current economy is thoroughly kicking my ass long and hard right now. Gotta be wise in my buys. ;)
I suspect it's the same situation for many others on these boards. God bless ya if your one of them.

Appears to me he's trying to get the best bang for the buck.
A good idea if the current economy is having a negative impact on the ol' budget.
It would suck if ya buy a sealed tin of ammo and your rifle bawks at it. Especially at the price their getting today for a tin of surplus. When it was $39.95 for a 440 round tin and $59.95 for an 880 round case it wasn't too bad. Now they are going for two and three times that. And, check this out, the Gander Mountain they just built here wanted $179.00 for a 440 round tin of Bulgarian. And they sold out!
That would suck big time for me as the current economy is thoroughly kicking my ass long and hard right now. Gotta be wise in my buys.
I suspect it's the same situation for many others on these boards. God bless ya if your one of them.
Q.F.T.

Also, sometimes people ask you questions like, "well, what kind of qualities are you looking for in the ammo?" or "What are you trying to use it for?"

I was just trying to save everyone some unnecessary posting by answering possible questions ahead of time since you people might be taking time out of your day to field queries from those who are less experienced with surplus weaponry/munitions.

Following that, Mike U. expressed his curiosity at (and after re-reading it, I can understand why heh) the way I had explained what I was looking for, and I explained.

What do you mean by mumbo jumbo? I believe it was all in plain English.

And yes, a large part of why I'm trying to gather this much information beforehand is because I want to make the right purchase the first time. It isn't like I can spend 80 dollars willy nilly every other week on surplus ammunition.

Anyway, thanks to everyone else for all the information.

I voted bulgarian. While it is not my favorite light ball (that honor goes to the hungarian silver case/silver tip!) it is reall good stuff, I have two gone through 2 300 round tins of the bulgy heavy ball and I just picked up 880 rounds of the bulgy light ball.

Years ago I bought cases of Chinese 7.62X54R. Still shooting it. Brass cases and copper jacketed. Shoots great. Better than the Russian steel cased. Probably no more of it on the market. Seems it was 34 dollars for 440 rds delivered to the door.

Damn I wish I could get some for that price!

I have a bunch of Czech light ball, and some Bulgarian Heavy ball. Both shoot about the same out of my M44. Buy whatever you can get the cheapest.

Edit: Wow. Prices have gone up a bit since I last bought. I got 440 rounds for about $45. I was paying about 10 cents per round - good thing I stocked up with 2000 rounds of x54r and almost 3k of 8mm at that price.

Wow. Prices have gone up a bit since I last bought. I got 440 rounds for about $45.

I had ~ 1500 rounds of hungarian x54r, romanian 8mm and Chinese 7.62x39 socked away before the huge price increases. I still buy when I find a good deal. Last spring I picked up 600 rounds of 1950's yugo 8mm ~ $75 at a local mom and pop gun store. I bought every box that had in the store! Even at todays $.20/round surplus ammo is a bargin!

Since it's essentially a moot point I went ahead with the Bulgarian stuff, placed my order yesterday. It was the first time I ordered from widener's and they didn't seem to have a requirement for a copy of my state ID which I thought was strange. Unless they ask for it explicitly when they actually go to process and package my order?

Polish from AIM surplus.

And, check this out, the Gander Mountain they just built here wanted $179.00 for a 440 round tin of Bulgarian. And they sold out!


You must live in Ocala, huh? ;)

Bulgarian heavy ball yellow tipped doesn't group as well as the light ball. But it all goes bang..
KKKKFL

Well it's a good thing I got the light ball then :P

Quote:
And, check this out, the Gander Mountain they just built here wanted $179.00 for a 440 round tin of Bulgarian. And they sold out!
You must live in Ocala, huh?

YIKES! I'VE BEEN OUTED!

Yeah, Ocala's a fairly nice place to live. If you like horses, you'd think you've found Heaven on Earth. Horse farms out the wazoo here. Makes for nice scenic Sunday drives after football season. :D