Mini-30 and steel case ammo

[Ignition Override]

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Prmers —about 20 years ago— in Russian ammo still coukd have been corrosive.

But in recent years their batches of older primers are not corrosive, and I’ve used at least 10,000 rds. of Russian 7.62x39, bought since 2008.

The 1,400 rds. of Wolf/Tula .308 used in my PTR-91 (HK clone) in the last two years, naturally, has been fine.

 

[Mick Boon]

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Prmers —about 20 years ago— in Russian ammo still coukd have been corrosive.

But in recent years their batches of older primers are not corrosive, and I’ve used at least 10,000 rds. of Russian 7.62x39, bought since 2008.

The 1,400 rds. of Wolf/Tula .308 used in my PTR-91 (HK clone) in the last two years, naturally, has been fine.

Too many gun owners don’t seem to want to question hearsay.

The Russian and Circle 10 ammo ( Bulgarian ? ) I have is corrosive as is the Chinese ammo.

 

[Mini30SS]

The US made ammo is more expensive here in Canada that it is in the US.

The Canadian Dollar has historically been worth about 75% of the US dollar. When both countries had circulating silver in their coinage, the Canadian Dollar had 0.60 oz of actual Silver and the U.S Dollar had 0.7734 Oz. That equals out to the Canadian Dollar being worth 77.5% of the U.S. dollar.

What this all boils down to, is that prices are about 25% more in Canada, than in the US. for the same goods, just based on the different valuations of the currencies.

As to why this historical trend is what it is, and still carries on until this day, I don't have an answer for that.

 

[Ignition Override]

Mick Boon:
Sorry, i was referring to modern 7,62x39 ammo imported into the US.

With my location depicted as “Mid South” (US) i didnt realize that my context wasn't clear.

 

[Robbins290]

Not to be rude.But i would not use steel case in a 1000.00 rifle. If i recall correctly. My mini 14 booklet said not to run steel case.

I run steel cased thru a 1400 dollar ar10 and also a springfield M1A. I figure if a rifle can not handle steel case ammo, it does not deserve brass cased.

I shot enough of it over the last 20 years to realize the "extra" does not matter in the end.

 

[Mini30SS]

The Chinese ammo is as good as the Russian ammo. The main problem here at the moment is a lack of large rifle primers which used to come from the US.

PS, Trudeau does as he is told, as does your senile president.

The ammo may function as well or better Putin's best. But if you are limited to only steel cases, corrosivly primed ammo for your SKS's, that is a disadvantage that cost you more time for rifle cleanup. Also it is very difficult ( though not impossible) to re-use berdan primed steel cases. And of course, it would be difficult to workup custom handloads, to tune your carbines for more accurate, powerful, or lawful hunting loads.

I'm very happy that I the US, we have more and better choices than you do in Canada. Belom tactical is a very good quality brass/boxer primed 7.62x39 ammo imported from Serbia that costs about the same as the steel cased commie crap. It is great for reloading, and components are more readily available in the US.

 

[Mick Boon]

The ammo may function as well or better Putin's best. But if you are limited to only steel cases, corrosivly primed ammo for your SKS's, that is a disadvantage that cost you more time for rifle cleanup. Also it is very difficult ( though not impossible) to re-use berdan primed steel cases. And of course, it would be difficult to workup custom handloads, to tune your carbines for more accurate, powerful, or lawful hunting loads.

I'm very happy that I the US, we have more and better choices than you do in Canada. Belom tactical is a very good quality brass/boxer primed 7.62x39 ammo imported from Serbia that costs about the same as the steel cased commie crap. It is great for reloading, and components are more readily available in the US.

I turn the Chinese ammo into brass case non corrosive. It's easy and I can make sure the charges are consistent. Luckily for me I saw the primer shortage coming and stocked up.
Many people here in Canada use components manufactured in Bosnia and Herzegovina Unis Ginex that's because we are so much luckier than you poor souls in the US. I feel very sorry for you
,

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I have shot 1000's of rds of steel case ammo through my 30 year old mini-30 with zero problems and NO parts replacements.

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I've had my Mini 30 since 1980. I shot cases of Russian and Chinese steel cased ammo through it.....It has never failed to fire any ammo I put in it and it is factory stock.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Some are too stubborn to understand Ruger couldn't care less about Russian ammo

Pretty sure Ruger cared when they realized nobody was buying the Mini-300 and people only bought Mini-30s BECAUSE of the cheap Russian (and Chicom before that) ammo.

For many years there was zero production of domestic 7.62x39. Zero. The only reason its (barely) being made here right now is Putin's invasion of Ukraine cutting off the supply.

Once the remaining stocks of Wolf are gone, there is still going to be a huge demand for it, but unless PSA pulls off a miracle, it will never be "cheap" again- which will kill demand for new rifles chambered in that cartridge. That will be the death-knell of the Mini-30, itself now already at a price point which is turning away many buyers. Expensive gun+ expensive ammo= no more sales, no more gun.

 

[Show Me]

Pretty sure Ruger cared when they realized nobody was buying the Mini-300 and people only bought Mini-30s BECAUSE of the cheap Russian (and Chicom before that) ammo.

For many years there was zero production of domestic 7.62x39. Zero. The only reason its (barely) being made here right now is Putin's invasion of Ukraine cutting off the supply.

Once the remaining stocks of Wolf are gone, there is still going to be a huge demand for it, but unless PSA pulls off a miracle, it will never be "cheap" again- which will kill demand for new rifles chambered in that cartridge. That will be the death-knell of the Mini-30, itself now already at a price point which is turning away many buyers. Expensive gun+ expensive ammo= no more sales, no more gun

Some one will make it and many many have stocked up on thousands of rounds. The government has done things to get supply down and price up and just giggle about it

 

[Beck]

I've had my Mini 30 since 1980. I shot cases of Russian and Chinese steel cased ammo through it.....It has never failed to fire any ammo I put in it and it is factory stock.

That's been my experience as well, but I have to point out a little typo. The Mini-30 didn't exist in 1980. Perhaps you meant 1980s and forgot the "S". The earliest anyone could get a Mini-30 was 1987. I bought mine in 1989.

The first 7.62x39 I shot in it was domestic, Federal American Eagle. Shortly there after I bought a lot of Chinese Berdan primed steel case military surplus, and factory new Chinese Norinco. Also had a good bit of Hansen brand brass case, which was made by what is now PPU in the former Yugoslavia.

There's always been plenty of 7.62x39 ammo and reloading components. When one source dries up, another shows up to fill the void.

 

[TonyAngel]

Light strikes on steel cased ammo, particularly in 7.62x39 is not a problem particular to the Mini 30. It is also a common problem among ARs chambered in that caliber as well.

Going with a heavier spring that is going to push the tolerances of the design and materials of the firearm is not a solution, but a bandage that will likely result in premature parts failure. If you think about it, all a heavier spring is doing is forcing the firing pin to go ever so slightly farther forward while the pin is in the same confined space it was in with the lighter spring.

The rifle not going bang isn't because the primer isn't getting hit hard enough, it's because the pin isn't going forward enough. The proper solution is a firing pin that has a longer protrusion. I've known people who have taken the shoulder down by about 10/1000 to solve their problem. Me, I just buy a longer firing pin.