Corrosive or Non-Corrosive

[dadof56]

I just bought a AK-74 and I would like to buy some ammo to Shoot and Store.
What is the difference between Corrosive and Non-Corrosive? Also I see Magnetic, What does that mean?

Thanks for the help....

[dadof56]

Which is the Best

Which is the best ammo to store? and Suggestions as to where to get Ammo.

[Pete1979]

In the case of 5.45x39, most of the old surplus is both magnetic and corrosive but at that price, it wouldn't bother me a bit.

Magnetic = copper plated steel (bimetal) bullet jacket

Corrosive = Chemical composition of the primer mix makes salts when fired which attract moisture and cause rust/pitting if left dirty. The residue needs to be washed out of the barrel, gas system bolt ect after each range trip. You just need to clean with windex or hot water before your regular cleaning solvents.

[Na-vah-duh]

Corrosive means that the primers have a salt compound in them which will leave deposits everywhere after firing drawing moisture i.e. causing rust.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with corrosive ammo i actually prefer it since it is cheaper. All it does is forces you to clean your gun right away (bonus in my book rather than putting it off for weeks.)

Magnetic ammo means that it will attract a magnet and generally is not allowed to shoot in ranges down there in Southern, California as it sparks & and cause a fire.

The easiest thing for storage is keep it away from moisture.

As for best place to purchase try sportsman's guide. I was able to pick up 1,000 rounds for 210$ shipped. Not bad but used to be cheaper

Hope this helps!

[Pete1979]

Usually boxer primed ammo is non corrosive like the Wolf, Tula, Brown Bear commercial stuff.
The old spam can surplus is usually corrosive, same with 7.62x39 and 7.62x54.

[lpspinner]

As a C&R shooter that shoots a lot of corrosive ammo, I find that if I bring a little squeeze bottle mixed with 50% water and 50% ammonia...then just give my barrel a quick few swabs with the solution it helps dissolves the salts to buy myself time if I can't clean right away. Also, don't forget to swab the bolt face.

Also, Sweets 7.62 cleaning solvent contains 5% Ammonia.

[Cowboy T]

Others have already described corrosive ammo very well, so no need to repeat their excellent information. Pete1979 in particular described pretty completely what to do for your AK-74 or other gas-operated firearm.

Go ahead and buy up the milsurp 5.45x39 ammo (yes, it's corrosive) and enjoy shooting your rifle. Just clean your firearm immediately afterwards, as others have already described, and you'll be just fine. Remember, the Soviets shot corrosive ammo for decades without hurting their firearms. BTW, you don't really need the ammonia. Simple water will dissolve those salts very nicely, and like with dissolving table salt, if it's hot water, that's even better, but hardly necessary.

[MiddleKingdom]

How about in a AR chambered for 5.45x39? Is the gas tube a concern or is that pretty safe from the corrosive salts? I'm a corrosive ammo newbie.

[Cowboy T]

Anywhere that the gas goes, needs to be cleaned. For an AR with a direct-impingement gas tube, yep, that would include not just the gas tube, but also the entire action.