Ammo for Single-shot 7.62x39

[walker944]

I have a Rossi 7.62x39 that I purchased a few years ago, thinking I could use it for a plinker and small game gun using my already onhand milsurp ammo. I have AKs, MAC90s & a WASR-10, so I had plenty of ammo. Well, I soon learned that you can't use MilSurp ammo in that rifle. I really haven't used it much since.

So, for you 7.62x39 single shot rifle owners: What are your expericience with commercial grade ammo? Do some work better than others? I understand there are problems with some brands having a slightly sunken in primer or other issues that cause primer detenation problems for the single-shot (non-floating firing pin) rifles. So, I want to avoid those!

I was hoping to reload some of the milsurp casing that I have, but they are Berdan primed. So, it looks like I need to go the commercial route. Was just wondering if some brands are better than others, for this seemingly persnickety rifle?

 

[chris in va]

Well, I soon learned that you can't use MilSurp ammo in that rifle.

Why not?

 

[walker944]

They (at least the milsurp I have) are Berdan primed, which is a much harder primer; which is better suited for the floating firing pin on military type rifles that shoot the 7.62x39 cartridge. The single shot rifles have the typical firing pin that cannot ignite the harder Berdan primers.

 

[Leadhead]

I've got a Russian made Remington marked single shot that has the same issue......I was thinking of replacing the firing pin with a slightly longer one or reducing the spring weight of the firing pin spring to allow a harder strike.

Reloading would be your best bet.
You could dissassemble your surplus and use the bullets and powder in a boxer primed case..

 

[JWF III]

Or you could increase the weight of the hammer spring. Might make it a little more difficult to cock, especially for a small child just learning to shoot. But you'd want to be with him/her anyway, so that point is moot.

Wyman

 

[walker944]

Thanks for the comments guys. Some good suggestions. Has anyone actually changed the firing pin or hammer spring and been able to successfully fire milsurp rounds? If so, please step up and share your success story.

 

[rangerruck]

is the prob you are having accuracy, or firing reliability? if accuracy is your prob, it could be desiring american made ammo, as opposed to anything foreign, as there can be a bit of a diff in the overall diameter, of foreign x39, and american made, same with the bores of american made rifles, and foreign stuff.

 

[Sunray]

Most American made 7.62 x 39 ammo uses a .308" bullet. Warsaw Pact ammo uses a .311" bullet. There is no commercial 7.62 x 39 milsurp ammo.
"...which is a much harder primer..." Nope.
"...a Rossi 7.62x39..." A Model R762MB? Slug the bore to find out what bullet diameter it needs.

 

[R.W.Dale]

of foreign x39, and american made, same with the bores of american made rifles, and foreign stuff.

<yucky stuff removed>

AGAIN

American 7.62x39mm ammunition is NOT loaded with .308 diameter bullets, never has been never will be.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5353541#post5353541

and this is the thread with the pictures

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4515887#post4515887

 

[walker944]

"...which is a much harder primer..." Nope.

Sunray - So, if the Berdan primer isn't harder, why won't a standard firing pin ignite it? The general claim is that the standard firing pin will not protrude far enough, which to me (and others) implies a harder Berdan metal or some other factor that I am not aware of. Please explain why you say "Nope".

 

[Leadhead]

To me it seems that the primer is harder and also recessed a bit...

Good to hear about the .308/7.62 thing but it would be even nicer to hear some stories from anyone who has made a single shot work with surplus!

I've got a Norinco bolt action 7.63X39 that has no problems with the surplus.

 

[walker944]

it would be even nicer to hear some stories from anyone who has made a single shot work with surplus!

Bingo! That's what I'm looking for! I've got Norinco (Berdan primed) ammo that I would love to shoot in my single shot.

 

[R.W.Dale]

it would be even nicer to hear some stories from anyone who has made a single shot work with surplus!

One guy on GBO's NEF forum did. I believe it involved a custom made titanium firing pin though