Identify bullet?

cptmclark · March 7, 2006, 10:42 AM

I have a bullet I taken out of an airplane I was flying, that I'm trying to identify. It is about 30 cal, weighing 124 grains, cut with four groove right hand twist rifling. Groove diameter .313 and land dia .303. That matches SKS and the AK, but the 124 grain bullet has an open base like most FMJ bullets but the nose is open like a hollow point. There was no expansion and very little deformation of the nose. If it was a FMJ with the tip broken off the tip was dang thin and gave a very clean break. Looks like a small dia hollowpoint.

Any ideas? Thanks

DWARREN123 · March 7, 2006, 10:49 AM

7.62X39, 122gr HP, maybe.

cptmclark · March 7, 2006, 11:02 AM

Who makes that hp bullet, and what has been it's use?

Jim Watson · March 7, 2006, 11:13 AM

Source: Russian.
Purpose: Cheapest possible way to offer a "hunting bullet" for sales of Communist surplus to credulous Americans who will buy anything as long as it is a "bargain."

cptmclark · March 7, 2006, 11:15 AM

Thank you very much Jim.

cptmclark · March 7, 2006, 11:17 AM

As a PS, am I correct in asuming that the hollow point is not used in military supplied ammo?

RJay · March 7, 2006, 04:09 PM

No, the military does not use Hollow Points.

Jim Watson · March 8, 2006, 01:05 AM

Well, OUR military does, but we're special.

The JAG has determined that it is ok to shoot at foreigners with hollowpoint match bullets because the intent is to make it easier to hit them, not to hurt them worse. Right.

cptmclark · March 8, 2006, 09:23 AM

So, since you mentioned the very bullets I use in service rifle, and if you know, how do these little American missles fare on varmint size critters? Sierra won't recommend them, but that doesn't exactly tell me how they work. I don't seem to have a block of ballistic medium handy.

dfaugh · March 8, 2006, 11:39 AM

If you look at alot of the Russian (and other) 7.62x39 ammo available, you'll see these "hollowpoints"...they are NOT made to expand as would a traditional handgun hollowpoint. The slight open area in the nose is a result of the manufacturing process. For the most part the behave just like FMJ rounds.

**Mike Irwin** · March 8, 2006, 12:15 PM

Exposed lead at the base AND open at the tip?

That's not a good combination if bullets are being manufactured like that.

On shooting, it's possible that the core can blow out of the jacket, which remains lodged in the barrel, creating an obstruction.

As for US use of "hollowpoints."

The military terms them, I believe, open point, non expanding.

Why? Becase they do NOT expanding upon striking flesh -- they act the same as an FMJ.

The reason for this?

To get the most accurate bullet possible, the base has to be as precise as possible. You can't get that precision with a traditional FMJ bullet, which has an open base, often with exposed lead.

I've seen photos of the Sierra Matchking (still used by the Army and Marine Corps, I believe) bullet after being shot into balistic gelatin.

No expansion.

March 7, 2006, 10:42 AM	#1
cptmclark Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 432	Identify bullet? I have a bullet I taken out of an airplane I was flying, that I'm trying to identify. It is about 30 cal, weighing 124 grains, cut with four groove right hand twist rifling. Groove diameter .313 and land dia .303. That matches SKS and the AK, but the 124 grain bullet has an open base like most FMJ bullets but the nose is open like a hollow point. There was no expansion and very little deformation of the nose. If it was a FMJ with the tip broken off the tip was dang thin and gave a very clean break. Looks like a small dia hollowpoint. Any ideas? Thanks

March 7, 2006, 11:02 AM	#3
cptmclark Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 432	Identify bullet Who makes that hp bullet, and what has been it's use?

March 7, 2006, 11:15 AM	#5
cptmclark Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 432	Identify bullet Thank you very much Jim.

March 7, 2006, 11:17 AM	#6
cptmclark Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 432	Identify bullet As a PS, am I correct in asuming that the hollow point is not used in military supplied ammo?

March 8, 2006, 09:23 AM	#9
cptmclark Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 432	Just a slight bend in the thread So, since you mentioned the very bullets I use in service rifle, and if you know, how do these little American missles fare on varmint size critters? Sierra won't recommend them, but that doesn't exactly tell me how they work. I don't seem to have a block of ballistic medium handy.

March 7, 2006, 10:49 AM	#2
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 1,758	7.62X39, 122gr HP, maybe.

March 7, 2006, 11:13 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Source: Russian. Purpose: Cheapest possible way to offer a "hunting bullet" for sales of Communist surplus to credulous Americans who will buy anything as long as it is a "bargain."

March 7, 2006, 04:09 PM	#7
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	No, the military does not use Hollow Points.

March 8, 2006, 01:05 AM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Well, OUR military does, but we're special. The JAG has determined that it is ok to shoot at foreigners with hollowpoint match bullets because the intent is to make it easier to hit them, not to hurt them worse. Right.

March 8, 2006, 11:39 AM	#10
dfaugh Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,715	If you look at alot of the Russian (and other) 7.62x39 ammo available, you'll see these "hollowpoints"...they are NOT made to expand as would a traditional handgun hollowpoint. The slight open area in the nose is a result of the manufacturing process. For the most part the behave just like FMJ rounds. __________________ "If you Listen to Fools, the Mob Rules" "No one has the answer, but one thing is true. You'e got to turn on evil, when its coming after you. You've gotta face it down,and when it tries to hide, you've got to go in after it, and never be denied. Time is running out...Let's roll. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for love. We're going after satan, on the wings of a dove. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for truth. Let's not let our children grow up fearful in their youth."

March 8, 2006, 12:15 PM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Exposed lead at the base AND open at the tip? That's not a good combination if bullets are being manufactured like that. On shooting, it's possible that the core can blow out of the jacket, which remains lodged in the barrel, creating an obstruction. As for US use of "hollowpoints." The military terms them, I believe, open point, non expanding. Why? Becase they do NOT expanding upon striking flesh -- they act the same as an FMJ. The reason for this? To get the most accurate bullet possible, the base has to be as precise as possible. You can't get that precision with a traditional FMJ bullet, which has an open base, often with exposed lead. I've seen photos of the Sierra Matchking (still used by the Army and Marine Corps, I believe) bullet after being shot into balistic gelatin. No expansion. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.