Bought my first Mosin, but questions on all the surplus ammo out there

[AmoAgave]

After browsing the C&R here for a few years I finally broke down and bought a 91/30 (1937 Tula). Pick it up in about 7 days.

I'm confused about all the surplus ammo out there though. Prices seem to be pretty consistent (more or less) but before I buy 880 rounds I want to get some opinions. I know a few have said 'silver tip' others 'yellow tip' and so on.

Should I just buy the cheapest surplus and see how it goes? Any other things to keep in mind when buying this old ammo?

[The Right to Bear Arms]

Good Morning,

I'll keep this brief because there will be no shortage of participation here.

I say buy a few 20 rd boxes of different brands. Tula, MFS, Winchester, etc. etc. There are various price points for each. Then, shoot em' all. Compare and contrast. See what you think. Then, purchase the " tin. "

[Rem222]

http://www.sgammo.com/product/surplus/880-rd-crate-762x54r-russian-early-1970s-light-ball-steel-core-ammo

If your range allows you to shoot surplus ammo this is what I use and recommend. It's copper washed light ball and cycles perfectly in any of my Mosins. SG is a good outfit as well.

[paul0660]

If your range allows you to shoot surplus ammo

That is the big question. Nearly all surplus is magnetic (and will start fires and go through steel backstops).

I also like sgammo.

[Flyin Brian]

http://www.sgammo.com/product/surplu...teel-core-ammo

If your range allows you to shoot surplus ammo this is what I use and recommend. It's copper washed light ball and cycles perfectly in any of my Mosins. SG is a good outfit as well.

+1

This is good stuff and the best price anywhere.

[plumbum]

+1 to all of the above! I just got a crate of Bulgarian light ball (silver-tip), and I am thrilled with it and the service from SGAmmo. You really can't go wrong with any of it, especially if it's just for blasting ammo (I don't know about range restrictions in Sac). I also like the Silver Bear and Brown Bear commercial ammo, but it's too tough on my already thin wallet.

Nearly all surplus is magnetic (and will start fires and go through steel backstops).

I wanna know if it will go through a Hyundai... anyone got a donor?

[Vlad 11]

The silver tip / yellow tip is just a designation for the projectile weight.

Any sealed spam can will do you good, the stuff is remarkable in its longevity.

This looks like a great deal too: http://www.sgammo.com/product/surplu...netic-fmj-ammo --- lead core bi-metal jacket

[paul0660]

+1 to all of the above! I just got a crate of Bulgarian light ball (silver-tip), and I am thrilled with it and the service from SGAmmo. You really can't go wrong with any of it, especially if it's just for blasting ammo (I don't know about range restrictions in Sac). I also like the Silver Bear and Brown Bear commercial ammo, but it's too tough on my already thin wallet.



I wanna know if it will go through a Hyundai... anyone got a donor?

Won't even slow it down.

[AmoAgave]

Awesome! Thanks everyone.

Yes, SG seems to be the place from what I've read. For price and service. Not sure about the range. I'm just getting back into long guns. Have a Mauser 98 FN action sporter now from 1951 in 30.06 (for another thread ) and have just been shooting it and my buddy's M1 Carbine and SKS at Lincoln. Dirt backstops and cardboard/wood targets. Any Sac people know if they allow surplus? Never even thought about it being an issue. I wanted a semi-collectible historic gun that was cheap to buy and cheap to shoot so the Mosin's perfect for that. If I have to start paying normal prices for ammo though.....

Well guess I can always reload.

Vlad, good to know. That helps make more sense of it.

[gasol1ne]

i suggest buying the ones that come attached with stripper clips. For one thing you get stripper clips. Secondly I think that since its attached to strippers, the ammo was intended to be shot out of riffles instead of machine guns.

[AmoAgave]

Does S&G combine shipping? I'm thinking due to weight probably not? Never bought online. I'm thinking I'll just do the mix and match as recommended.

[Cowboy T]

Enough good info has already been given on the milsurp ammo. Yes, it's good stuff; yes, it will go through car doors (see "The Buick O' Truth"); and yes, it's magnetic. It also uses "corrosive" primers, so just clean your gun afterwards and you'll be fine.

S&G will combine shipping to the point that the shipper allows. However, since ammo is by its nature heavy stuff, you can only combine shipping so much.

If you want to reload 7.62x54R--and I suggest considering it--your best bet is to buy Prvi Partizan ammo in the 20-box retail boxes. It is Boxer/brass, with noncorrosive primers, and the cases are getting pretty high marks for their longevity. Since Mosins are bolt-actions, you can load the round relatively mild or full-house, your choice.

[paul0660]

Does S&G combine shipping? I'm thinking due to weight probably not? Never bought online. I'm thinking I'll just do the mix and match as recommended.

exercise your cart with various amounts. There can be significant differences in freight by just deleting a box or two.

[Flyin Brian]

Does S&G combine shipping? I'm thinking due to weight probably not? Never bought online. I'm thinking I'll just do the mix and match as recommended.

If you're set on trying a bunch of different types of ammo, head over to River City Gun Exchange and buy some ammo there. They have a bunch of different surplus on the shelf, and it's probably about the same cost by the time you figure in the shipping, and you get it today

If you are going out to Sac Valley range near sloughouse, they have never bothered me about shooting surplus, as long as you aren't shooting at the silhouette range (no FMJ).

[AmoAgave]

Enough good info has already been given on the milsurp ammo. Yes, it's good stuff; yes, it will go through car doors (see "The Buick O' Truth"); and yes, it's magnetic. It also uses "corrosive" primers, so just clean your gun afterwards and you'll be fine.

S&G will combine shipping to the point that the shipper allows. However, since ammo is by its nature heavy stuff, you can only combine shipping so much.

If you want to reload 7.62x54R--and I suggest considering it--your best bet is to buy Prvi Partizan ammo in the 20-box retail boxes. It is Boxer/brass, with noncorrosive primers, and the cases are getting pretty high marks for their longevity. Since Mosins are bolt-actions, you can load the round relatively mild or full-house, your choice.

With so much cheap ammo out there I almost hate to spend time reloading!

I'll see how it does with the different ammo. I'm pretty sure I'll end up doing it eventually once I get an idea of what it likes.

exercise your cart with various amounts. There can be significant differences in freight by just deleting a box or two.

Makes sense! Playing around with the cart now.