7.62x39 ammo, what do I have?

30cal_Fun · November 5, 2013, 12:01 PM

A local gun store has non corrosive brass cased 7.62x39 for a good price, but I don't know much about this ammo so I asked him to send some pictures.
He says it's made by PMP and is brass cased, not just copper washed, but I am not so sure. It does say non-corrosive, berdan-primed, M43 (projectile type), so that much is clear.
I already did some research with the headstamp and it is indeed produced by PMP (pretoria metal pressings) in South Africa in 1988.

What can you tell me about this ammo?
My most important question is: is it indeed brass cased? (and not just copper washed like a lot of soviet surplus)
Any information or experiences with this ammo is greatly appreciated!

Kind regards from the Netherlands, 30cal.

jimbob86 · November 5, 2013, 12:10 PM

The M-43 projectile was steel cored, IIRC.

Valornor · November 5, 2013, 06:15 PM

That's easy enough, take a magnet with you. Copper wash projectiles, and or cases can be sorted with a magnet. I'm not sure with steel core, that depends on how thick the jacket is, but if I had to venture a guess a good magnet would stick.

jimbob86 · November 5, 2013, 07:09 PM

Many of the indoor ranges that prohibit steel core ammo check what you bring in with a magnet.

30cal_Fun · November 6, 2013, 04:01 AM

They look like brass to me but the gunstore is not exactly around the corner, so I don't have the opportunity to do the magnet test before I get there. For old surplus steel cased ammo it is expensive, for brass cased ammo it is very cheap. And I do plan on reloading this caliber. I will buy it if it is brass cased. So I'm trying to confirm it is brass before I make the trip.

Wasn't the M43 projectile a boat tail bullet?
Does anyone have an idea of the accuracy of this ammo?

m&p45acp10+1 · November 6, 2013, 10:37 AM

Make sure its boxer primed. If not then scrap the fired cases.

mikld · November 6, 2013, 12:25 PM

Sometimes ya just gotta trust what you're told. The two important items here are FMJ and Berdan, non-corrosive primers. You prolly won't be trying to reload them (Berdan primers) so brass/steel/poly coated/copper washed cases doesn't make much difference, and a FMJ isn't a hunting bullet, so, just shoot 'em and enjoy...

snuffy · November 6, 2013, 03:41 PM

I don't understand why you're concerned about whether it's brass or whatever. Important fact that you seem to accept is it's berdan primed. You can reload berdan primed cases, BUT you need special tools AND berdan primers are all but impossible to find.

How could anyone tell you if it's accurate or not? Even if they---- had the same ammo, and the same rifle-----, every gun is different, they'll most likely not shoot the same! Add to that a different lot #, no way to say, yeah it shot good!

g.willikers · November 6, 2013, 06:11 PM

Are Berdan primers hard to find in Europe, too?

30cal_Fun · November 7, 2013, 06:10 AM

It seems like good ammo from what I have read so far.
I think you made a good point snuffy, I will just have to try.

Berdan can be found here, although sources are very limited. I am still deciding if it is worth the challenge or not. It just seems like a waste of a lot of good brass if I don't.
I am trying to read and watch all I can about reloading or converting berdan brass.

November 5, 2013, 06:15 PM	#3
Valornor Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 244	That's easy enough, take a magnet with you. Copper wash projectiles, and or cases can be sorted with a magnet. I'm not sure with steel core, that depends on how thick the jacket is, but if I had to venture a guess a good magnet would stick. __________________ NM M1A, HK Mk 23, Benelli M4, Ar-15 Lower, CZ 2075 RAMI (P) 9mm, Barrett MRAD .338LM Looking for a new blog dealing with firearms and reloading, check out http://theheadstamp.com/

November 6, 2013, 04:01 AM	#5
30cal_Fun Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2010 Posts: 109	They look like brass to me but the gunstore is not exactly around the corner, so I don't have the opportunity to do the magnet test before I get there. For old surplus steel cased ammo it is expensive, for brass cased ammo it is very cheap. And I do plan on reloading this caliber. I will buy it if it is brass cased. So I'm trying to confirm it is brass before I make the trip. Wasn't the M43 projectile a boat tail bullet? Does anyone have an idea of the accuracy of this ammo? __________________ Gun control: The theory that people who are willing to ignore laws against rape, torture, kidnapping, theft, and murder will obey a law which prohibits them from owning a firearm.

November 6, 2013, 10:37 AM	#6
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	Make sure its boxer primed. If not then scrap the fired cases. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

November 6, 2013, 12:25 PM	#7
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Sometimes ya just gotta trust what you're told. The two important items here are FMJ and Berdan, non-corrosive primers. You prolly won't be trying to reload them (Berdan primers) so brass/steel/poly coated/copper washed cases doesn't make much difference, and a FMJ isn't a hunting bullet, so, just shoot 'em and enjoy... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

November 6, 2013, 03:41 PM	#8
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	You say what??? I don't understand why you're concerned about whether it's brass or whatever. Important fact that you seem to accept is it's berdan primed. You can reload berdan primed cases, BUT you need special tools AND berdan primers are all but impossible to find. How could anyone tell you if it's accurate or not? Even if they---- had the same ammo, and the same rifle-----, every gun is different, they'll most likely not shoot the same! Add to that a different lot #, no way to say, yeah it shot good! __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

November 5, 2013, 12:10 PM	#2
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	The M-43 projectile was steel cored, IIRC.

November 5, 2013, 07:09 PM	#4
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Many of the indoor ranges that prohibit steel core ammo check what you bring in with a magnet.

November 6, 2013, 06:11 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Are Berdan primers hard to find in Europe, too? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

November 7, 2013, 06:10 AM	#10
30cal_Fun Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2010 Posts: 109	It seems like good ammo from what I have read so far. I think you made a good point snuffy, I will just have to try. Berdan can be found here, although sources are very limited. I am still deciding if it is worth the challenge or not. It just seems like a waste of a lot of good brass if I don't. I am trying to read and watch all I can about reloading or converting berdan brass. __________________ Gun control: The theory that people who are willing to ignore laws against rape, torture, kidnapping, theft, and murder will obey a law which prohibits them from owning a firearm.