.44 mag strange ammo

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Hi guys, i'm new here. I apologize for my bad english in advance. I recently got ahold of some cheap 180 grs ammo from PPU and since it's the only 180 grs option in my country, i bought it. I wanted to plink with some light 180 grs screamers for a long time. This ammo has some serious velocity. According to data, it's 1750 fps and 1250 ft lbs out of 8" barrel. So i said to myself why not. But now when i checked the cartridges, i'm not sure is it safe to shoot these in my revolvers. The ammo looks old, it has a strange circled primer sealant (which was used on old corrosive surplus ammo), the brand markings on the primer "PPU" is wrote in cyrillic alphabet (which means they aren't made for US market) and the inside box is made of cheap carboard, instead of plastic, like in the most of ammo. It says on the box anti-corrosive but i'm not sure i should gamble with these in my 629 and TRB. Plus, there's no CIP (SAAMI equivalent) proof mark on the box and the box logo is the older one. The seller said he got it a year back, but who knows how old is the actual production. What's your take on these, guys?
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The cyrillic PPU has been on their US ammo since the late 80's when it was imported by Hansen.
Is this still the case as of today? Because i saw their newer export package with light blue box that says handgun line. No cyrillic and primer sealant on those.
 
So far i've only seen older surplus ammo with primer sealant on it. Some old 9mm nato ball and 7.62x39, but never revolver ammo.
 
I have some new manufactured 7.62x39 with the primer sealant. It's not corrosive, just PPU standard I guess.
 
I apologize for my bad english in advance.

Welcome to the group. I respect a person who speaks a second language. No matter how well or poorly it is spoken/written, it is one more language than I know. This is a good group and generally likes to hear how things are in other countries.

If you are still concerned about it being corrosive, just clean it properly after each outing and all will be good.
 
Never had a problem with PPU. If they are using corrosive powder, (or primers) you'll smell the acrid rotten egg stench, (sulfur) which you usually don't
get, with standard non-corrosive loads.
 
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Proof marks in ammo? Not likely.
My magtechs have cip proof marking on every box. So does fiocchi.
Anyways, i still ain't sure about shooting this. PPU market for europe is something completely different than PPU meant for US export. US export PPU is a separate plant with higher standards, better brass quality, packaging, QC and all. But for domestic European market, the QC is lower.
And domestic PPU ammo was already notorious in the past for having hot overcharged ammo.
Even todays ppu ammo is still very hot. For example, both .357 and .44 usually have around 40000 PSI.
So if this ammo is old, then it may be even hotter than it already is. And judging by the primer sealant and the box logo, it is indeed an older one. That's what worries me and this is why i love to hear your opinions whether you used this kind of ammo (primer sealed .44 mag) in US as well.
 
My magtechs have cip proof marking on every box. So does fiocchi.
Anyways, i still ain't sure about shooting this. PPU market for europe is something completely different than PPU meant for US export. US export PPU is a separate plant with higher standards, better brass quality, packaging, QC and all. But for domestic European market, the QC is lower.
And domestic PPU ammo was already notorious in the past for having hot overcharged ammo.
Even todays ppu ammo is still very hot. For example, both .357 and .44 usually have around 40000 PSI.
So if this ammo is old, then it may be even hotter than it already is. And judging by the primer sealant and the box logo, it is indeed an older one. That's what worries me and this is why i love to hear your opinions whether you used this kind of ammo (primer sealed .44 mag) in US as well.
You have good points. Does the box say anything about the charge?

And if it's not too much of a bother, can you post a picture of the box?
 
Just to be safe, id fire one first. Check for a "sticky" extraction and look for flattened primer. Or cracked empty case. Also make sure it puts a round role through the paper and it doesn't keyhole.
If it passes all of these basic ammo tests that I use to test my handloads, then I'd use them.
Are these all inclusive tests that guarantee any kind of safety.....NO. But they're all prudent person can go on. My guess is this ammo you have is just fine. Nothing so far indicates anything otherwise.
 
Just to be safe, id fire one first. Check for a "sticky" extraction and look for flattened primer. Or cracked empty case. Also make sure it puts a round role through the paper and it doesn't keyhole.
If it passes all of these basic ammo tests that I use to test my handloads, then I'd use them.
Are these all inclusive tests that guarantee any kind of safety.....NO. But they're all prudent person can go on. My guess is this ammo you have is just fine. Nothing so far indicates anything otherwise.
I'll do that, thanks. Altough i'm not sure about the round hole, since these are JHPs, but they are serbian style "hollow points", which we all know these guys wouldn't know how to make a proper hollow point, if their life depends on it lol. They just fragment into pieces.
 
People here are always interested in shooting culture and laws in other countries, if not too personal, can you tell us where you are located?

In regards to your ammo, I am also of the opinion that relatively modern .44 magnum wouldn’t be loaded with corrosive primers.
 
People here are always interested in shooting culture and laws in other countries, if not too personal, can you tell us where you are located?

In regards to your ammo, I am also of the opinion that relatively modern .44 magnum wouldn’t be loaded with corrosive primers.
I am from Slovenia. Compared to other european countries, we probably have most liberal gun laws, aside from Serbia, Italy and Czech. We even can own silencers now. But that's not to say we are even near USA in this regard.
It is still a bit complicated procedure to get a permit. The only 2 main valid reasons are target practice and hunting. Self defense too, but only 4000 people own a carry permit for SD. A theory and practice exam, extensive background check, a medical pass and a membership in range club and/or hunting club. It takes 2 months and a whole lot of money, but once you obtain it, you can pretty much own anything you want, except for full auto.
But there are storage laws, it means the guns must be stored in a safe, unloaded, ammo separate. So it sucks for self defense, when you need a loaded gun in the reach of your hands fast. And what's even worse, in theory we can't even defend ourselves, because the guns are officialy meant for sport or hunting only. Lol. So if by any chance, god forbid, i ever use my "target practice" guns on armed intruder, i'd probably loose all of my guns and permit for lifetime. Logic? Nope! But it is what it is and if i'll ever need to protect myself or my family, i certainly wont hesitate to do so and no laws will prevent me to protect my loved ones.

Regarding my ammo, i'm sure it's not corrosive, but i wonder how old this ammo is to have a primer sealant. But i'm so tempted to shoot these 180 grainers. I once shot a cylinder of remington umc 180 and it was the most fun ammo i've ever shot in my life.
 
I am from Slovenia. Compared to other european countries, we probably have most liberal gun laws, aside from Serbia, Italy and Czech. We even can own silencers now. But that's not to say we are even near USA in this regard.

Thanks for the info, very interesting and informative.

US rules differ by location, some cities and states are easy, some near impossible to get a permit for a handgun. NYC, for example, has three different classes of permits: premises, target, and carry. The first two can be obtained with some difficulty, a carry permit is almost impossible for the average citizen.

Some states require every handgun be registered, others, nothing is required to transfer a gun between a seller and buyer. Storage laws also differ between locals.

So no consistency whatsoever, it’s very easy to break a law in other states without knowing it. So care must be taken, and research done, before traveling around the country with guns.
 
Thanks for the info, very interesting and informative.

US rules differ by location, some cities and states are easy, some near impossible to get a permit for a handgun. NYC, for example, has three different classes of permits: premises, target, and carry. The first two can be obtained with some difficulty, a carry permit is almost impossible for the average citizen.

Some states require every handgun be registered, others, nothing is required to transfer a gun between a seller and buyer. Storage laws also differ between locals.

So no consistency whatsoever, it’s very easy to break a law in other states without knowing it. So care must be taken, and research done, before traveling around the country with guns.
I was reading alot about US gun laws. States like NY, NJ and CA seem even more harsh than some European countries. But states like TX, WY, AZ and Oklahoma are dream lands for gun enthusiasts. You can hunt with hanguns and shoot guns wherever you want. We can't do that here. If i am to shoot guns outside of the shooting range and someone reports me, i loose guns and permit. That sucks. It must be a joy target practicing in the nature, experimenting with ballistic gel, shooting pumpkins, etc...
 
Welcome to THR, and thanks for informing us of the gun laws in Slovenia.

I'm not sure why you're concerned that the ammunition is too old. As long as it is in good condition, for example no green veridigris corrosion on the cases, it's fine to shoot. Ammunition has a life span of decades.
 
Far as the sealant goes, I clearly recall purchasing .44 spl, with it during the early '60s............if memory serves the stuff was of Winchester mfg.. Was in Alaska then and my only carry revolver was my old Blackhawk.......that special stuff was my small game and plinking load...........very little damage to a snowshoe or ptarmigan, plus that old slow bullet would drop a lynx with very little pelt damage!
 
Personally I would sacrifice one and pull bullet, weigh it and the powder, then shoot 6 over a chronograph to guesstimate psi, and accuracy. Mostly out of curiosity but it c a n give you some insight on what to expect
 
I was reading alot about US gun laws. States like NY, NJ and CA seem even more harsh than some European countries. But states like TX, WY, AZ and Oklahoma are dream lands for gun enthusiasts. You can hunt with hanguns and shoot guns wherever you want. We can't do that here. If i am to shoot guns outside of the shooting range and someone reports me, i loose guns and permit. That sucks. It must be a joy target practicing in the nature, experimenting with ballistic gel, shooting pumpkins, etc...

Here in Tennessee.. if you are 21 and not a felon you can open carry or carry concealed.. no permit needed …

Welcome to THR !!
 
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