How to tell if ammo is armor piercing? 7.62 x 39

[redfireftr]

My friend came across some ammo that the projectiles attract a magnet. Does that mean its steel core or armor piercing?

Its all 7.62 x 39. Some of it is loose and some in boxes.

The boxes read:

CENTERFIRE
AMMUNITION
CAL. 7.62 x 39 HP L. C. B.
123 GR. BALL
MADE TO HUNTING
SPECIFICATIONS
KEEP OUT OF REACH
OF CHILDREN

Other side of box:
MADE IN
RUSSIA
20 PCS

Headstamp: 711 94

The case and projectile both strongly attract a magnet.

Next is 10 rounds on a stripper clip with a headstamp 31 64.

Both the case and projectile strongly attract a magnet.

So is it steel core, AP? Is it worth anything?

Thanks.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Is it wolf or silver bear or golden bear ammunition? I think those have a steel case and steel jacket, but not a steel core, but I'm not sure.

 

[ArmedBear]

If you have a neighbor that you don't like, shoot it at his car engine.

If it splits the block, it's definitely armor-piercing. If not, just shoot the radiator and the tires.

 

[wnycollector]

If it looks like this its steel core! http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=119308694

 

[jonnyc]

The first box is hollow point (HP) hunting ammo, not AP. The Chinese (31) might have a mild steel core, but it is standard GI ball ammo, also not AP. Some countries use a mild steel core to save more expensive lead. What your magnet is picking up is the steel jacket on the bullet.

 

[redfireftr]

Not sure of the brand of the rounds. The ten rounds look just like that on the link.

Does the mild steel core add any value or should I shoot em' and forget about them?

 

[jonnyc]

Some dealers call it AP and sell it for a buck a round, to rip-off the ignorant. It is ball, shoot and enjoy.

 

[jerkface11]

Most likely steel jacketed not steel core.

 

[jjohnson]

Armor Piercing?

I'm not sure the old AK round generates enough gas to be called 'armor piercing' even if you had a tungsten carbide core. Think about it. Ever seen AP ammo in .30 Carbine?

There have been all kinds of AK ammo made with mild steel cores and even more with steel jackets, but that's more a function of cheap manufacturing than even pretending to be armor piercing.

There may have been ammo produced that's really designed to be AP, but what's flooded the market in the years before the Clintonistas outlawed the import of 'cop killer' ammo was just cheap steel jacketed stuff.

 

[jonnyc]

Yes, I have seen both AP and API in .30 Carbine.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Just depends on what kind of armor you're talking about. There are many many different kinds and levels of "armor". ALL 7.62x39 will pierce soft body armor without plates, regardless of the metal used in the bullet.

But yes, if the magnet sticks, the core is steel. If the magnet does not stick, the core is not steel.

 

[jonnyc]

"But yes, if the magnet sticks, the core is steel."

NO!!! A steel jacket will strongly attract a magnet, even stronger than a GM jacketed bullet with a steel core. Magnetic attraction does not automatically equate to steel core.

 

[IdahoLT1]

Could you pull one of the bullets and take a butane torch(like a pipe soldering torch) to it? I had my SKS at an indoor range and the gunsmith didnt believe me that they werent steel core rounds, so he pulled a bullet and took a torch to it. All the lead melted and came out of the bottom of the bullet.

I guess im not sure if steel core bullets are solid steel wrapped in the jacket or if the have a hardened steel pin surrounded by lead and wrapped in the jacket.

 

[fireman]

The link with the pics of the rounds on the stripper clips are steel core copper jacketed rounds. Even though they are a medium power 7.62x39 cartrige I have seen them penitrate 16 inches of solid oak creasote bridge planks. On a seperate ocasion I have seen them blast through a 14 inch diameter live Aspen tree. While not being oficially called AP. will out penitrate a 300 Wby. Nosler.
One of the reasons 5.56 NATO is severly out-gunned by a AK.

fireman

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

"But yes, if the magnet sticks, the core is steel."

NO!!! A steel jacket will strongly attract a magnet, even stronger than a GM jacketed bullet with a steel core. Magnetic attraction does not automatically equate to steel core.

Umm, OK, I believe that. But what ammo uses a steel jacket?

 

[jpwilly]

I use to shoot 7.62x39 steel core by the case. That steel is nearly as soft as the lead core stuff...nothing armour percing about it.