7.62x54r surplus SQUIB!

[Daemon688]

I recently ordered some 7.62x54r surplus from CDNN and went to the range today. After putting away my K98, I brought out the M44. After firing three rounds, the fourth one had a quiet thud. Took out the cleaning rod to prod at it and the bullet had traveled maybe 2 inches down the barrel. I stopped shooting the Mosins after that.

So my question is: Since this was the first time I ever shot surplus ammo, is it common to have squibs? I ordered 500 rounds of this stuff and would rather not have to deal with a squib round again.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Since this was the first time I ever shot surplus ammo, is it common to have squibs?

Who was the manufacturer or country of origin?

I've been through tens of thousands of rounds of surplus ammo in 5.56, 7.62x51 and 30-06 over the years and never had a problem but it can happen of course.

 

[WinchesterAA]

that's weird, dude.. I ordered 1k rds from sportsman's guide in x54r and never had a problem with it. Only have 50 or so rounds left of that batch.

 

[cbsbyte]

What country did this ammo come from? It might be real garbage.

 

[Daemon688]

IIRC CDNN catalog said it was 2002 US Gov't contract.

 

[cbsbyte]

Well that interesting since the US does not use 7.62x54R round in any weapons unless it was made for Afganistan military. Even then it would probably not be made by a US arsenal. It probably came from a ex soviet bloc country that had stock piles of this ammo and ready to sell.

 

[Matt Dillon]

Was this the boxer primed brass cased ammo? I was thinking about buying some just for the cases.

 

[Deer Hunter]

I remember that CDNN lot that they were selling. Winchester, wasn't it? It was some overproduction ammo that they were handing off to the shooting sector. I thought about buying some, but then figured I could get way more Czech for the money.

Interesting that you had a squib with it, too, seeing as how it's new production stuff.

 

[blackhawk2000]

It's surplus ammo. It's bound to happen sooner or later.

 

[_N4Z_]

I've shot surplus Yugo, Russian, Hungarian, and Czech x54r ammo. Alot of Hungarian. Never a squib.

I've also used new production Hotshot, S&B, and Barnaul. No squib.

Probobly a highly unusual occurance that is possible with any caliber or brand. Most unfortunate, but you caught it and no damage done.


Seems like I read about the ammo you descibe over of the surplusrifles forum. It was gov't contract ammo that was production overrun. The manufacturer sells off the left overs because the contract is filled and closed. I want to say that particular ammo was made by S&B. Or maybe it was PRVI.... I can't remember. Was brass cased too yes?

 

[Daemon688]

It was brass cased, not sure what kind of primer though. Sounds like this was just a rare occurence and I was unlucky enough to have one in my first magazine. I guess I'll keep the stuff.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Well, it does seem to happen pretty rarely; but usually where you find one squib, you will find more. I would be very careful shooting that lot of ammo.

 

[Spiggy]

I've handled hot ammo... but never a squib

 

[50 Freak]

Holy crap, I've hot exclusively surplus of all calibers through all my guns over the last 15 years. Never had a squib.

Get the 7.62x54R Czech ammo. Pretty good for the price.

 

[270Win]

Yes, it's fairly rare. I've shot hundreds upon hundreds of surplus x54R, with nary a squib. I've met fellows at the range who have shot thousands upon thousands. No squib reports from them either.

I will be interested to hear about the report on the remainder of the lot; it could simply be that the lot was made at a particularly bad time.

 

[Ad Astra]

Could Daemon 688 have accidentally killed the round with WD-40 or some other penetrating solvent?

Just saying.

 

[Cacique500]

I've fired thousands of rounds of surplus 54R and never had a squib...very interesting.

I agree with Bartholomew though - be very careful with the rest of them. The good news is you're using a bolt action so chances of blowing up are fairly slim - I'd be much more concerned if you were using this ammo in a semi-auto.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Sounds like Olympic brand. Commercial made pure garbage.


What are the markings on the bottom of the case. What type of box was it in?

 

[Daemon688]

No WD-40 or any of the sort reached this ammunition. I opened up the sealed boxes at the range. They're marked as "JMS 02".

 

[Claude Clay]

91/30 over 2k rounds of various (many+++) older surplus, zero trouble. upside is you cannot cycle the rifles fast enuf to risk a second shot b4 ya know you have a problem. if you post a picture of one of the rounds head stamps i might be able to direct you to a web sight that may be helpful in identifing its origion & date of mfg. jms 02 does'nt show up, needs to be more on the case......or perhaps not, meanwhile i have to go clean mine. today was metal (4") at 100 yards & hit 1/2 the time standing~~~better prone. good luck.