NATO 7.61x51 surplus deals - Beware of surplus tarnished rounds

[1stmarine]

The German surplus DAG in loose bulk packs tarnished for around $400 might look like a great deal but it is not.
Initially is a good Nato round for general/target use.
I used this NATO round when I was overseas and they are great. It is pretty consistent in all weather. Cupro-nickel plated steel jacketed, lead core bullet. Great brass but the downside is that it is berdan. Not a big thing if you do not reload.

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: Stay away from the "tarnished" loose packs. I bough 2K rounds from http://militarygunsupply.com and it was not just tarnished but totally corroded and paid 820 + shipping. I could clean some and some had to toss away.
I send them a note but never heard back from them. Will never buy from them again.

At some point I also got 2K rounds form Midway in sealed battle packs from the 90's and it is clean and shiny as the day light.

I also got 2K rounds of PMC bronce and it is really a nice brass to reload the long range 175gr SMKs a few times. The bronce round is not as accurate as the DAG or a Nato LC round out of the box but it is clean burning, new production and great brass. I see adds for $490. Totally worthy.

A few years back I got 10K rounds of M80 in a great deal form the lake city plant that is stored well and shoots very well. Those bulk boxes are a great way to save money. The more you buy the more the cost per round goes down.

Cheers.
E.

 

[BrocLuno]

Good to know

 

[dmancornell]

I've shot about 2K of the DAG rounds from battlepacks. Even some of the sealed battlepacks will have mildly corroded brass... nothing I wouldn't shoot though. The loose packs I would not touch with a 10 foot pole.

Good ammo, 3 MOA from my FAL.

 

[desidog]

You're more of a gambler than I am; it's enough of a gamble with a sealed can or battlepack..i wouldn't buy loose surplus without first-hand inspection.

I got some DAG from AIM in battle packs, and it is very new-looking, untarnished, and basically the best surplus ammo i have ever gotten; excepting Swiss GP11....which is also cupro-nickel.

 

[GrimmLV]

Someone has a 7.61x51 addiction!

 

[ocharry]

Nawwww,, i don't think an addiction,,I think he is right on target!!!!

The motto is:

"Buy it Cheap and Stack it deep"

The problem these days is the cheap part

my .02

ocharry

 

[1stmarine]

There is no cheap anymore. But buying bulk makes a big difference. It is like an investment though so you need to put the cash up front.
For example, last month I bough 4K rounds of .40cal S&W for $810. If you buy one box at the time you spend almost double and I shoot around 7K rounds/year on pistol alone between 9mm, 40cal and .357sig.
My philosophy these days is do not buy a system unless you can spend at least its value x 5 in Ammo. ...with a few exceptions of course.... Collection maybe, I guess?
What is the point of buying a nice system if you can only shoot it once a year.
The more you shoot the better you get at it and it is a perishable skill.
Everyone knows that.
yes .308 win is an addiction, they all are!. LOL!

Cheers.