copper washed 7.62x39

DE Shooter · March 21, 2009, 12:03 PM

Not really reloading...but figure you all are the cartridge experts: Cleaning up and found old (at least +15yrs) bag with goodies from a gunshow. There is a sks type stripper clip full of all copper colored, 7.62x39. Where the bullet is seated in the casing neck, there is reddish sealer? On the bottom around the primer, at opposite (180) sides are stamped a 31 and a 71. From what I remember, the vendor had alot of sardine tins full of already clipped up ammo. He gave me one to try and his card...I didn't even have a 7.62 gun...but a friend had an sks...so I threw it in the bag. Pretty sure he said it was AP ammo, but I didn't believe him cause the tip isn't any different. I've an idea of what it may be but will get as much help as I can??? AP or corrosive primed, please let me know. Thanks for any help.

Ricklin · March 21, 2009, 12:10 PM

If memory serves there used to be a lot of AP ammo around in 7.62 X 39. FMJ with steel core.
Never tried the stuff on armor, it does however pierce most anything you shoot it at

Some of those bullets are so tough that if you can find a fired bullet they look like you could load them up, and fire them again.

Check the bullets with a magnet, I'll bet a dozen donut holes they are steel core. I've got a bunch of the copper washed stuff in my stash as well.

Sport45 · March 21, 2009, 12:21 PM

But how would the magnet let you know if they are steel core or just steel jacketed? I have a bunch of Danish '06 that attracts a magnet because of the copper washed steel jacket. To determine if it's steel core or armor piercing I think you'd have to cut into a bullet.

45Marlin carbine · March 21, 2009, 06:55 PM

it's Chinese make. most of it was a hardened insert - hence AP. all had a steel Cu dipped jacket.

DE Shooter · March 21, 2009, 08:24 PM

so...if it's Chinese...steel core...which is what I've been told 3x now...then there is no chance it is corrosive...correct? And, one for the road...is it true that authenic military AP ammo...for any caliber...always has a marked tip??? Thanks again to all that help.

bobotech · March 22, 2009, 01:45 AM

I always forget which one is which. Chiense ammo (corrosive) came in 2 flavors. Steel core and steel jacketed. One was sealed with a red seal and the other was a blue/dark green seal.

Pull a bullet and look at the base of the bullet. Scratch it. If it scratches like lead (feels soft and dents), then its just lead, but if it feels hard like steel and doesn't gouge, then its steelcore.

If its copper washed, its corrosive.

45Marlin carbine · March 22, 2009, 04:54 AM

AFAIK all the Chinese X39 ammo is corrosive primered.

tkcomer · March 22, 2009, 10:46 AM

See if you can find it here: http://home.comcast.net/~jfreeman16/ak_rifle_ammo.htm

DE Shooter · March 22, 2009, 01:54 PM

tkcomer, Thanks to you and everyone else that helped. I believew I've positively ID'd the ammo...definately factory 31, vintage 1971. Will read all at site you sent me to see if there is any way to pin down if they used corrosive primers or not...thanks again to all. I was getting ready to pull a bullet and dremel a cross section...now I won't tear up some cutters. Is there any way to check the primer...like maybe pullin bullet, dumpin powder, and getting the primer to go off into some litmus paper???...a couple drops of water on residue should light it up....right? Acid or base.

Sport45 · March 22, 2009, 10:39 PM

It's not acid or base. The corrosive part is the hygroscopic salt that attracts moisture.

March 21, 2009, 12:03 PM	#1
DE Shooter Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Posts: 215	copper washed 7.62x39 Not really reloading...but figure you all are the cartridge experts: Cleaning up and found old (at least +15yrs) bag with goodies from a gunshow. There is a sks type stripper clip full of all copper colored, 7.62x39. Where the bullet is seated in the casing neck, there is reddish sealer? On the bottom around the primer, at opposite (180) sides are stamped a 31 and a 71. From what I remember, the vendor had alot of sardine tins full of already clipped up ammo. He gave me one to try and his card...I didn't even have a 7.62 gun...but a friend had an sks...so I threw it in the bag. Pretty sure he said it was AP ammo, but I didn't believe him cause the tip isn't any different. I've an idea of what it may be but will get as much help as I can??? AP or corrosive primed, please let me know. Thanks for any help.

March 21, 2009, 12:10 PM	#2
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,385	Old SKS Ammo If memory serves there used to be a lot of AP ammo around in 7.62 X 39. FMJ with steel core. Never tried the stuff on armor, it does however pierce most anything you shoot it at Some of those bullets are so tough that if you can find a fired bullet they look like you could load them up, and fire them again. Check the bullets with a magnet, I'll bet a dozen donut holes they are steel core. I've got a bunch of the copper washed stuff in my stash as well. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

March 21, 2009, 12:21 PM	#3
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	But how would the magnet let you know if they are steel core or just steel jacketed? I have a bunch of Danish '06 that attracts a magnet because of the copper washed steel jacket. To determine if it's steel core or armor piercing I think you'd have to cut into a bullet. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

March 21, 2009, 08:24 PM	#5
DE Shooter Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Posts: 215	not corrosive...true AP so...if it's Chinese...steel core...which is what I've been told 3x now...then there is no chance it is corrosive...correct? And, one for the road...is it true that authenic military AP ammo...for any caliber...always has a marked tip??? Thanks again to all that help.

March 22, 2009, 01:54 PM	#9
DE Shooter Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Posts: 215	That's it...thanks! tkcomer, Thanks to you and everyone else that helped. I believew I've positively ID'd the ammo...definately factory 31, vintage 1971. Will read all at site you sent me to see if there is any way to pin down if they used corrosive primers or not...thanks again to all. I was getting ready to pull a bullet and dremel a cross section...now I won't tear up some cutters. Is there any way to check the primer...like maybe pullin bullet, dumpin powder, and getting the primer to go off into some litmus paper???...a couple drops of water on residue should light it up....right? Acid or base.

March 21, 2009, 06:55 PM	#4
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	it's Chinese make. most of it was a hardened insert - hence AP. all had a steel Cu dipped jacket.

March 22, 2009, 01:45 AM	#6
bobotech Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Posts: 60	I always forget which one is which. Chiense ammo (corrosive) came in 2 flavors. Steel core and steel jacketed. One was sealed with a red seal and the other was a blue/dark green seal. Pull a bullet and look at the base of the bullet. Scratch it. If it scratches like lead (feels soft and dents), then its just lead, but if it feels hard like steel and doesn't gouge, then its steelcore. If its copper washed, its corrosive.

March 22, 2009, 04:54 AM	#7
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	AFAIK all the Chinese X39 ammo is corrosive primered.

March 22, 2009, 10:46 AM	#8
tkcomer Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2006 Location: Maysville, KY Posts: 200	See if you can find it here: http://home.comcast.net/~jfreeman16/ak_rifle_ammo.htm

March 22, 2009, 10:39 PM	#10
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	It's not acid or base. The corrosive part is the hygroscopic salt that attracts moisture. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.