Odd 7.62x54R ammo...

[PTK]

I recently picked up a box of 15 rounds of what was advertised as "sniper ammo" in 7.62x54R. I assumed it was Russian surplus match grade.

Upon opening the box, it was copper washed steel case, Berdan primed, copper bullet with red band below a black tip. What do I have, API ammo?

 

[Chipperman]

What's the headstamp?

 

[Magnuumpwr]

Not sure about Russian ammo, but NATO countries use black to designate AP. This may or may not help. Head stamp markings may help.

 

[PTK]

Honestly, I can't read it. I've lost my glasses and don't have access to a magnifying glass right now.

It looks (to my bad eyes) like a "40" on the bottom, "E" on the left, and "77" on the top.

 

[PTK]

I should mention as well that the box is stamped
AV 11
A 0287
15 kpl.
7,62 kiv. pair
liman siteita

luotl: D-ps-sy

hysly: Rautainen

Alkuperii: Venalainen

Tarkestettu: 24.5.77

 

[SMLE]

Those markings on the box are Finnish.

 

[PTK]

Well, in that case, I'm off to the store to buy the rest regardless of what it actually is (probably API).

 

[Deer Hunter]

Where did you pick this stuff up?

 

[Cosmoline]

I believe that's a box of Russian ammo repacked by the Finns, since the ammo does not sound Finnish but the box clearly is. Very, very interesting. I would not shoot it for the time being as it may be rare. Check over on the collector's forum at mosinnagant.net

 

[SDC]

It's Russian "BZ" ("bronebojno-zazhigatelnaya"; armour-piercing incendiary) ammo, made in 1940 at factory 77.

 

[PTK]

SDC

Thank you very much. I now have 40 rounds total (one box had only 10 in it) at a cost of $40. The gent selling it said "Only use that in a REALLY strong MN... no old ones."

Why?

 

[Matt-J2]

No old ones?

They're all old!

 

[PTK]

I think he was saying antique or bad condition... but again, why? Is this just higher pressure than standard ammo?

 

[SDC]

No problem; here's a couple of cutaways I did showing what these look like inside (far right); the projectiles have incendiary compound at both the nose and tail, and it's not unheard of for them to "muzzle burst" when firing. This happens when the propelling gas manages to get past the base cup and get inside the outer jacket, causing the incendiary mix (replaced here with yellow putty) to ignite as soon as the jacket opens up at the muzzle.

 

[Chipperman]

Don't use it in one made before 1891.

 

[Cosmoline]

AP Incendiary! Well now you can take on light German armor ;-)

 

[jonnyc]

There is no Factory 77, probably 17.

 

[Diggers]

Holy Crap! Is it even... Umm..."OK".... for incendiary rounds to be sold?

Never know what you will end up with buying old ammo huh?

 

[highorder]

try this:

http://mosinnagant.net/i3tro4.asp

http://mosinnagant.net/t3p.asp

 

[VirgilCaine]

Holy Crap! Is it even... Umm..."OK".... for incendiary rounds to be sold?

Chill out! This is America. It's almost disgusting how free we are.

 

[Hoppy590]

Chill out! This is America. It's almost disgusting how free MOST OF USare.

there you go. MA/CA correct

 

[Cosmoline]

It's probably NOT smart to use in the high desert backcountry during the dry months. I'd say pick a wet day or a wet area to test it.

 

[PTK]

I've decided that this winter, I will be firing between 1 and 5 rounds of this ammunition against a steel plate at about 60 yards.

 

[Harvster]

Seven months to plan that out?

 

[PTK]

Well, I really did have to do research regarding how hard this stuff is to get, is it dangerous to fire, what's it worth, etc.

By the time I'd figured most of that out, I didn't have an MN anymore. By the time I bought more of them, it was dry/fire hazard weather.