Posted on 06/04/2010 11:41:59 AM PDT by humblegunner
Hungary, 21/87, Steel core light ball,147 grain, 1987
Its fine to shoot.
Just checked my latest stash. No head stamps save for “10” on one side and “55” on the other. Mine have brass cases. Looked at some of my earlier ones also. None marked. I’ve been shooting these for years, most in paper wrappers from gun shows. You can buy commercial (non-milsurp) ammo that is probably marked.
If you’re really concerned, put you rifle in a vise and hook a string to the trigger and light it off.
I suspect you’ll have no problems.
Sort of interesting how Ruskies weapons are idiot proof; reflecting a peasant illiterate army.
Ammo’s fine, and probably mildly corrosive. Headspacing may be a concern.
The 7.62x54R projectile diameter is actually 7.92mm (0.312 in), which is why your 7.62x63 (Winchester .30-06) projectile with a diameter of 7.82 mm (0.308 in) will muzzle check the way you show in your comparison picture.
Also, if you find that the rifle prints groups to the left or right of the target center, extend the bayonet. These rifles were factory zeroed at the front sight post with the bayonet extended if they did it at all.
Looks like the right ammo to me. The fit you show is normal...I can take a picture of my Mosin the same way if you’d like.
21/87 is Hungarian ammo. It’ll work fine. It is Milsurp so it’s corrosive. I use a bottle of Windex to hose down the bore to neutralize the salts after I’m done shooting. I clean it up like normal when I go home.
And then I run.
If there are any survivors, I know the weapon and the ammo was probably okay.
If you're in doubt of the bullet diameter the only accurate way to measure is to pull a bullet and use a micrometer. A 30/06 bullet is .308 in diameter but some European and Asian .30 calibre guns use .311 dia bullets, the British .303 and the Japanese Arisaka for example
I beat ya, mine was only $75.00.
The action is smooth as silk and the folding bayonette is just plain cool.
Plain cheap cardboard, no markings.
Looks like a bulk buy broken down domestically for parcel sales.
I have an M44 myself, haven't fired it -- arsenal queen, Tula Arsenal 1946 headstamp and Sov cosmoline on the follower plate (cleaned that off, but good to see).
I have Sellier & Bellot 180-grain civilian softnose stuff, Czech steelcase AP, and the arsenal leftovers (roach-spotted cardboard packets secured by ancient string spun by Russian witches under Ivan the Terrible). The arsenal hardball stuff comes in five-round clips.
So you'll test it in New Braunfels in a couple weeks?
soviet or chinese ammo doesn’t have the caliber often, just factory code and year. The rim on it is the tell, that is 762x56r you have in the picture.
Next week! absolutely!
What happened to the other two Ruffians? You the survivor? You're the guy we want to talk to.
I have a Moisin, and I love it.
I went to ammoman and bought my ammo (ammoman.com)
880 rounds for a reasonable price. Free shipping to boot!
And it is good ammo, corrosive, but good. Be sure you clean your weapon.:)
Sweet!
KGB rifle ping!
Errr... 54R?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.