New PPU Carcano Ammo

[wiscoaster]

I got my shipment of four boxes of PPU 6.5x52 Carcano ammo, and it looks like, based on the new package design and the SKU number that PPU is now producing their catalog number A-605 139 grain FMJ BT Carcano round with the B-605 bullet, which has the proper bullet diameter of 0.268 inches. My micrometer can't distinguish quite that fine, but I couldn't see any reason why it isn't. Note also the head stamp manufacturer ID is in Cyrillic, which is kind of interesting.

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[DocRock]

I got my shipment of four boxes of PPU 6.5x52 Carcano ammo, and it looks like, based on the new package design and the SKU number that PPU is now producing their catalog number A-605 139 grain FMJ BT Carcano round with the B-605 bullet, which has the proper bullet diameter of 0.268 inches. My micrometer can't distinguish quite that fine, but I couldn't see any reason why it isn't. Note also the head stamp manufacturer ID is in Cyrillic, which is kind of interesting.

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PPU is Serbian, thus the Cyrilic.

 

[wiscoaster]

PPU is Serbian, thus the Cyrilic.

Yes, of course, but they've previously headstamped their ammo I've purchased "PPU" ... which I presumed was for their production exported to English-speaking countries. I figured it was interesting to note the change and might be useful to distinguish "new" production.

 

[swg1]

Purchased from where? Thanks

 

[wiscoaster]

From https://www.308ammo.com/Default.asp but I think they ran out minutes after I ordered.

But ... on the flip side ... the headstamp and new packaging might mean there's actually new production coming in. I'm thinking the Cyrillic headstamp might be because they're diverting production intended for European distribution to the U.S. Keep your eyes open!!

 

[loose noose]

Wiscoaster, what did it cost you per box, and where did you purchase it from? I recently bought a Cavalry Carbine from gun broker, and have been having a heck of a time getting reloading dies for it, let alone ammunition. Sorry I guess I should have read the all the posts. Thanks any way.

 

[wiscoaster]

I paid $38 per box of 20 (ie $1.90 per round - about par for the course for large-caliber rifle ammo these days). If you're loading your own I plan to sell the brass when I accumulate a lot of 50 empty casings. Keep your eye on the Trading Post ammo forum.

 

[loose noose]

Will do there wiscoaster.

 

[22250Rem]

I don't reload any Carcano chambering but have lots of experience with PPU brass in 7.62x54R and 6.5x55 and I consider it first rate. Guys who reload 6.5 Carcano would do well with those once fired cases. ( unless your gun has excessive headspace and stretches the brass too much on the first firing). Some of my 7.62x54R PPU brass has been reloaded 3 or 4 times so far and it's still doing great.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

This is tremendous news for the Carano Club. They've been sorely lacking boomy pills for some time.

 

[maxxhavoc]

Double check that they are boxer primed before you go crazy. I have seen brass berdan primed 7.62x39 with that headstamp.

No experience with these.

 

[lsudave]

Double check that they are boxer primed before you go crazy. I have seen brass berdan primed 7.62x39 with that headstamp.

No experience with these.

That would be my concern, too. These days, it seems like people are scraping up whatever they can to sell.

Those boxes look old, too. I don't have any experience with this caliber, but I buy 7.65 Argentine in PPU, and the boxes looked a lot fresher when I got them in. Of course, that was over a year ago

 

[wiscoaster]

Double check that they are boxer primed before you go crazy. .

I shot some yesterday, so I can see they're Boxer primed.

The boxes are made from a thinner grade of cardboard, so they'll show wear. Maybe that explains their appearance, but that would just be a guess. There's nothing on the box or on the cartridges that looks like a production date.

 

[jobu07]

That looks like their old packaging to me. If you google PPU ammo you'll see images of the boxes that are several shades of blue now instead of the blue and white motif.

You said you shot some to see if it was boxer primed - was it keyholing?

 

[JohnKSa]

Some manufacturers put a lot/date code inside one of the box flaps. Might be able to get a feel for the date of manufacture that way.

 

[wiscoaster]

Some manufacturers put a lot/date code inside one of the box flaps...

Thanks for the tip, so I looked ... but there is none.

 

[wiscoaster]

... was it keyholing?

I shot it through three rifles: an M1941, an M38, and an M91/TS. A couple of the bullet holes from the 91/TS looked like the bullets were just starting to go unstable at 100 yds, but not fully tumbling yet. The 91/TS is my latest aquisition and it had only been shot once and bore-cleaned twice. Keyholing out of a newly-aquired Carcano is pretty common. My M38 in 7.35 mm produced 100% keyholes the first time I shot it and it had to be shot and bore-cleaned several times before it started giving me 100% round holes.

 

[wiscoaster]

That looks like their old packaging to me...

I can't deny that. Was before my time. The box pictured on the site's product page is the box I'm more used to seeing:
https://www.308ammo.com/category-s/210.htm

 

[JohnKSa]

...but there is none.

That's weird, and sort of irritating... After making that post, I poked around a little and found out that the PPU code looks like 'yymm-ll' where 'yy' is the last two digits of the year, 'mm' is the month number, and 'll' is the lot code for that particular batch of ammo. Not that the information is especially useful if they don't put the code on the box...

 

[.455_Hunter]

Hansen Cartridge Company products back in the 1990's were made by PPU and used the Cyrillic head markings.

 

[wiscoaster]

I'd be the first to admit it might not be new production. It's "new" to me. Maybe I should invest in a better micrometer than this cheap sliding-scale thingy I've got so I can get an accurate measurement of the bullet diameter. If it's the old undersized bullet, then it's more likely to be old production.

 

[22250Rem]

I can't deny that. Was before my time. The box pictured on the site's product page is the box I'm more used to seeing:

...... That's the product design that I'm accustomed to seeing. Looks just like the 7.62x54R stuff I stocked up on circa 2013-14 so I could have some good ammo in good boxer primed brass. .... So I figure perhaps they've done a redesign on the packaging or else it pre-dates my stuff. Mine also has nothing on the box or headstamp to help identify a production date.

 

[Antihero]

That looks similar to the stuff I bought many years ago, at least from memory. I'll have to dig it out

 

[jobu07]

Deleted.

 

[jobu07]

I'd be the first to admit it might not be new production. It's "new" to me. Maybe I should invest in a better micrometer than this cheap sliding-scale thingy I've got so I can get an accurate measurement of the bullet diameter. If it's the old undersized bullet, then it's more likely to be old production.

This is probably the best answer. A proper mic o get the bullet diameter should tell us what we're dealing with here. But I suspect that's old stock you've got on your hands.