Steel cased new Russian ammo vs 1980's surplus?

[Kwanger]

...brand new Russian steel cased 7.62/308 is currently going for 39 cents a round or so. 1980's era surplus ammo (such as Portuguese) can be found for around the same price, if not slightly cheaper. The old surplus stuff sometimes looks a bit rough with corroded spots on it - but not usually any worse than minor spots.

Which would/do you prefer to buy for cheapest available plinking ammo?

 

[Anger]

Well, the range I shoot at doesn't allow FMJ's on the rifle range because it "chews up their dirt berms" so I have to buy the wolf silver bear when I go cheap. It's about 36 cents a pull (plus shipping). I put some blue tape on my semi-auto rifle to protect against the "brass kisses" when using steel case ammo.

 

[DMK]

Portugese surplus 7.62x51 is usually pretty good ammo. I have a couple cases in my stash and it always shot good for me.

It used to be sold in sealed battle packs. Are you buying it by the box?

I'm curious about how it got corroded because all the Port I've ever seen looked shiny and new.


OTOH, I purchased a few cases of Guatemalan 5.56x45 a while back that had nasty spots of corrosion all over it. It was obviously stored in poor conditions. However, it shoots good. I've gone through a case of the stuff with no problems.

 

[Kwanger]

I bought one sealed 200 round battle pack from Samco for a trial, as I'd heard the Port was good stuff. 35c a round - good value too. The battle pack wasn't ripped or anything as far as I could tell. The corroding appears to be minor and surface only; I'd say about 95% of the ammo has no such signs. Here is the worst round I've found so far - opinions?

 

[stubbicatt]

For about the same price you can reload.

Just a thought.

 

[wally]

For about the same price you can reload.

Only if your time is free.

Reloading is a good hobby in its own right, but I confine my reloading to pistols where progressive presses and carbide dies really cut down the time input.

--wally.