Future of 7.62x39

[Esquire]

Whenever I go to ammo search sites, I notice that there are twice as many vendors offering .223 than 7.62x39. Considering 7.62x39 is not a domestic caliber and Russians themselves have switched to 7.45mm rounds, is 7.62x39 on a path to scarcity and higher prices?

I know there are millions of AK's out there in active use by various armies and paramilitary organizations, but they probably use surplus corrosive stuff. I'm talking about non-corrosive "sporting/plinking" rounds for civilian shooters. So far, prices are still on par with .223 rounds, but I'm beginning to see more deals for .223 than 7.62x39.

[MontClaire]

It will always be in your lifetime that is in ABUNDANCE!

[nick]

I see plenty of new 7.62x39 and a lot of decent deals on it.

Russians and much of the rest of the world still have a bunch of those rifles, and will have enough of them for the foreseeable future.

[IntoForever]

I still see the 7.62x39 ammo at half the price of the .223
I'm not worried.

[semperfidelis354]

I wouldn't expect to see 7.62x39 go away any time soon, at least I hope not...

[YourHuckleberry]

It will always be in your lifetime that is in ABUNDANCE!

Is that you Yoda?

[MontClaire]

yo huckler this looks familiar?

[YourHuckleberry]

Was that a question or a statement? If it was a question, then my answer is no. Does this look familiar?

[NSR500]

Whenever I go to ammo search sites, I notice that there are twice as many vendors offering .223 than 7.62x39. Considering 7.62x39 is not a domestic caliber and Russians themselves have switched to 7.45mm rounds, is 7.62x39 on a path to scarcity and higher prices?

I know there are millions of AK's out there in active use by various armies and paramilitary organizations, but they probably use surplus corrosive stuff. I'm talking about non-corrosive "sporting/plinking" rounds for civilian shooters. So far, prices are still on par with .223 rounds, but I'm beginning to see more deals for .223 than 7.62x39.

Absolutely nothing wrong with corrosive ammo as long as you clean your gear.

[Divernhunter]

"switched to 7.45"-------Did you mean 5.45. I do not know of any 7.45 rounds. Then again it is very late at night and I could not sleep.

[sd_shooter]

Walmart carries 7.62x39 by Winchester and Remington. It's a common round.

[NapaCountyShooter]

If, for some reason, the international sources of 7.62 ever dry up, plenty of American companies make it. If you're going to worry about a caliber, worry about .45 Gap.

[bohoki]

is 7.62x39 on a path to scarcity and higher prices?

no

unless the scarcity is brought on by unusual demand (someone may come out with a spiffy new gun)and the price is brought up due to material costs

[23 Blast]

There are far too many 7.62x39 caliber rifles around for the round to just dry up. Heck, the US military hasn't used 30-06 in almost half a century and it's still going strong, by virtue of it being chambered in myriad rifles.

Calibers in danger of extinction are those that are chambered in only a few rifles (either of quantity or variety) or those that attempt to fill an already-filled niche, like the aforementioned .45 GAP.

[Esquire]

"switched to 7.45"-------Did you mean 5.45. I do not know of any 7.45 rounds. Then again it is very late at night and I could not sleep.

Yes, I meant 5.45.