Surplus Ammo for my CZ-52 - good or bad?

[<SLV>]

I picked up some 72 rd surplus boxes of 7.62x25. I'm not sure where it is from, but here is what it says on the label:

CARTUSE PENTRU
PISTOLET

CALIBRU 7,62 mm.
72 buc.

The cartridges are stamped with the numbers 22 and 83.

I've heard that some surplus ammo is too hot for the CZ-52. Is this stuff safe? It was only $8 a box, so it was a pretty good deal (just over .10/rd.). Otherwise I've only ever fired Sellier & Bellot.

 

[shamus]

I believe surplus stuff can be very corrosive. Just be sure to really clean your cz after shooting.

on the CZ forum, they have CZ-52 forum that may be more helpful

on that forum, I found a link to some dangerous cz-52 ammo.

 

[shamus]

this thread may help

if you could tell us what the headstamp says, that may help.

 

[MikeG]

The 22 on the headstamp indicates that the ammunition is Romanian.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

.

 

[jonnyc]

WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
The Romanian is excellent stuff. A few people with tight CZ52 throats have had some feeding issues, but I have never heard of any Romanian pressure issues.
It's good ammo, enjoy it.

 

[<SLV>]

I thought I've heard that Bulgarian is the ammo to avoid. (?)

 

[ZeSpectre]

There have been bad batches of BULGARIAN (See link here) not Romanian.

You have Romanian.


The Romanian stuff is really first rate (at least what I've shot so far).
(See AIM surplus Romanian ammo at this link)

 

[Keeterbird]

I have been shooting Bulgarian * 10 53. It is the 52 that is the problem. I have had over 800 rounds with only one not firing. I had a jam and solved it with a heavire spring. One can get any bad surplus ammunition. I have not tried the Romanian, but some folks swear by it.

let us know. Just avoid the * 10 2 52. It is machine gun ammo.

 

[chris in va]

I disagree about the Romanian ammo. I had several hardcore jams at the range and realized the unfired rounds were not fully seating into the chamber.

When I got home I took the barrel off and dropped every round into the chamber from the box I had left. Four were extremely tight but could be forced in, one only fit halfway in and got stuck enough that I had to break out the screwdriver to pry it out.

Once I weeded out the bad stuff, the others fed and fired just fine.

Don't get me started on that SMG crap. I threw half a box away due to hangfires/duds.