Russian ammo steel

[Mail Clerk]

Hello to all,

Is typical Russian ammo considered steel??? The shell is steel but the actual bullet mak-up is what??? lead core surrounded by a copper jacket??? OR steel core surrounder by a copper jacket????? Compared to American made 223 the Russiam ammo is cheap to shoot on a budget. I'd like to know cuz if I decide to get a Calfornia leagl AK I want to shoot and sight it in using Wolf ammo. Will they allow this brand at the range???

Mail Clerk

[Cowboy T]

Depends on the Russian ammo. Unless it's an AP projectile, the core is virtually always lead. However, some projectiles have a "copper washed" (i. e. copper plated) steel jacket, which means some ranges won't allow it. Depends on their backstop. Wolf is known to have the copper-washed steel jacketed bullets.

If you reload, then the American stuff is cheaper, long term, than the Russian stuff. The sole exception is the Boxer primed, steel cased ammo (yes, you can reload steel cases). But the brass ones will last longer. If you don't reload, then it's time to learn how.

[Mail Clerk]

Cowboy T,

Thank for your reply. I thought Wolf's bullet make-up was different than what you described. That's kinda blows my plans for an inexensive AK to target shoot. OH well have a long way to go anyways til the holidays. I'll think about it more.

Mail Clerk

[tujungatoes]

whatever man AK's suck anyway.

look at getting some yugo surplus ammo. it's not quite as cheap as wolf, but it's kosher at any range. you might check with your local range, about wolf. some will let you shoot it in the rainy season.

[Cowboy T]

whatever man AK's suck anyway.

True, but not as bad as AR's. <ducks>

Mail Clerk, are you perchance set up for reloading? I know I'm kinda harpin' on this a bit, but besides all the other reasons, there's one extra reason if you're talkin' AK's and your application. The AK action will reliably cycle at lower pressures, since its original round (7.62x39) is lower-pressure than .223. That means you can get away with somewhat reduced loads in .223 (say, maybe 35,000 PSI) for your practice or even hunting ammo. This will make your brass last a good, long while. Translation: cheap plinkin' ammo.

[Snakebite4767]

I buy the bulk ammo with the steel case and copper washed steel bullets for my SKS. Then.... I pull the bullets and replace them with http://www.xtremebullets.com/ Copper plated lead bullets. The weight is the same, and I seat them to the same OAL as the original. I don't change the charge or anything. It works out just fine. The final, total cost doing it this way ends up at around $.25 each. If I reload my Boxer primed cases using the same bullet, the cost is around $.21 each. (not counting the price for the brass, Boxer case) Pulling and replacing the steel bullets from the Wolf or Yugo ammo is very fast, very easy, and they shoot great. I don't have to worry about loosing any of my 7.62x39 reloadable brass, which I save for loading with Barnes all copper bullets to use for hunting in my CA. area.

Snakebite