Which 7.62x39 ammo will not destroy your barrel?

[.45 ACP]

New to AKs, so sorry for the newb post. As a guy who owns four AR variants, I've only run brass factory or hand loaded ammo, the bullets have been copper jacketed, and my barrels have never been shot out.

I've been researching 7.62x39 and have found some ammo that is only "copper flashed". That seems suspect to me. I'd hesitate to run that through my gun because I'm pretty sure the copper wash or flash that is applied would disappear within probably 2 inches of entering the barrel. The ammo in question was Tula I believe.

Is there any ammo out there AK guys recommend that actually has a real copper jacket but is still fairly cheap? Thanks in advance.

[ar15barrels]

Search "non magnetic 7.62x39"

http://www.sgammo.com/product/762x39/180-round-range-pack-762x39-fmj-copper-jacket-non-magnetic-123-grain-bullet-steel-cas

[Nguyen]

Yugo M67. It is corrosive though.

[Jimi Jah]

Yugo surplus sells for about 28 cents per round, lead core, copper flash, corrosive primers.

I shoot the Tula 122 grain hollow points here all day long with my melonited AR-47 barrel. It's a cyro job supposed to be good for 25,000 rounds. If it shoots out sooner, I'll buy another $99 barrel for it.

[.45 ACP]

Seems like this "Red Army" stuff is fully copper jacketed.

[tommyfly]

yeah, im pretty sure red army standard makes a round thats all copper/lead in a steel case, non corrosive. But i did a search for it last night and couldent find it for very cheap.

Yugo m67 is my absolute favorite, but it is corrosive. this is no problem so long as you clean your rifle asap

edit: jg sales has some red army:

http://www.jgsales.com/7.62x39-red-army-standard-copper-jacket-123gr-fmj-ammo,-1080rd-case.-p-70144.html

[TS77]

don't know what kind of AK you got, but take a look at this whole post and before making a decision on harming an AK barrel

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_4_64/159106_AK_abuse__home_built_version_update_on_Page_6_.html&page=1

[Timbob55]

Yugo ammo, while corrosive is otherwise outstanding. If you have a chrome line barrel, shoot away!

[Bansh88]

If you're talking "copper flashed" as in the Chinese Copper Wash, don't worry, you likely wont find much of it.
Yugo is brass and considered some of the best 7.62 ammo.

But I wouldn't think twice about using any factory made 7.62x39 ammo. Any.

[BrokerB]

I have had no issue with shooting whatever x39 ammo is around. I have a case of very pretty looking yugo brass x39 but will either save it for trade..or sell at an inflated price someday as I don't like to go bonzai on cleaning corrosive salts from gas piston operated rifles..if bolt action..no problem.

Choosing what ammo to shoot through an ak..other then not being corrosive is a bit silly to me. I'm not worried about shooting out a barrel.

Either way the vast majority x39 ammo available is either bi-metal or copper jacket- either one will be fine for me. I shoot about 1,000 rounds from any particular rifle a year, I spread the love. If I maybe shot 10,000/year from only one rifle..maybe- but most likely not when you average the cost of ammo vs a barrel..it makes no $ense.

[.45 ACP]

If you're talking "copper flashed" as in the Chinese Copper Wash, don't worry, you likely wont find much of it.
Yugo is brass and considered some of the best 7.62 ammo.

But I wouldn't think twice about using any factory made 7.62x39 ammo. Any.

Okay, yeah I've read about some ammo being copper washed/flashed and I'm trying to avoid that.

As long as there is a copper jacket, I'm okay to shoot it.

[munkeeboi]

you can try to find the elusive Wolf Yellow box 7.62

[Click Boom]

Bi-metal ammo is fine

[1bulletBarney]

Last thing I think about when shooting my surplus WASR AK or my Saiga is shooting out a barrel with whatever ammo run I through the bore...

I think more about keeping them fed...

[230infantry]

I've run Tula and Chinese norinco ammo out of mine and it's all fine