7.62x39 question

[CavCop]

7.62x39 is Cold War era ammo used by by the far east.
Between the US banning import and most countries using NATO or the current Russian poison bullet 5.45x39, I would say it’s no longer common.

Even the Taliban are using NATO rounds now, as well as Mexico drug cartels.

That does not mean 7.62x39 is obsolete, but it’s like the .40 S&W, it’s hay day is over.

 

[oldag]

7.62x39 is Cold War era ammo used by by the far east.
Between the US banning import and most countries using NATO or the current Russian poison bullet 5.45x39, I would say it’s no longer common.

Even the Taliban are using NATO rounds now, as well as Mexico drug cartels.

That does not mean 7.62x39 is obsolete, but it’s like the .40 S&W, it’s hay day is over.

Still a LOT of 7.62x39 rifles out there. I see ammo being plentiful for quite some time.

 

[DocBeech]

… and I thought that I was old, lol

You are not old until you remember $1.99 100 packs of 22LR.

 

[deemus]

You are not old until you remember $1.99 100 packs of 22LR.

79 cents here

 

[V-Tach]

I pity those who are just now making that decision. Just found some stray AK rounds from the one I sold 20 years ago.

I recall paying $110 for 1100 rounds.

I have an ammo container marked ...7.62X39 1500 rounds $100.00 that I bought years ago......still has the 1500 rounds of Chinese steel core in it....I'm sure several of us has such items we rat holed away.....

 

[hornetguy]

I have an ammo container marked ...7.62X39 1500 rounds $100.00 that I bought years ago......still has the 1500 rounds of Chinese steel core in it....I'm sure several of us has such items we rat holed away.....

Yep.... didn't they refer to that as "semi-ap" stuff? I have a spam can of it... I think it's all on stripper clips... IIRC

 

[DocBeech]

I have an ammo container marked ...7.62X39 1500 rounds $100.00 that I bought years ago......still has the 1500 rounds of Chinese steel core in it....I'm sure several of us has such items we rat holed away.....

We used to be able to buy 556 on base for around $30 per 420 round can at the on base range. That was over 20 years ago, but still. I was young and stupid and didn't stock up at the time.

 

[AKM47]

With the 556 in short supply and prices going up is it still worth getting a Polish 556 Hellpup

 

[oldag]

With the 556 in short supply and prices going up is it still worth getting a Polish 556 Hellpup

Depends upon your time horizon. Ammo supplies will recover at some point.

 

[alternative]

A little late to start stocking up. With Russia ban on 7.62x39 prices are probably never going down. PSA I thought was going to make steel ammo, there is brass ammo available but pricey. On the other hand what I consider pricey may be a bargain next year. As a good Boy Scout said, plan ahead.

 

[deemus]

There are several ammo makers who are making brass cased 7.62x39. Saw some S&B a while back. ie, before the Russian war started.

 

[SA_Steve]

I'm old. Remember barrels of 7.62x39 at Academy. 5 cents per round. Kept my bolt action rifle happy.

 

[zackmars]

Virtually all 7.62x39 is imports. All imports are one executive order away from ending.

Fwiw, aim has brass .223 and steel case 7.62x39 for the same price. At that point .223 makes more sense

 

[voland]

… and I thought that I was old, lol

Hey, I'm only 45, going on 15. Not THAT old...

 

[robertc1024]

There are several ammo makers who are making brass cased 7.62x39. Saw some S&B a while back. ie, before the Russian war started.

Yep - I bought a pile of S&B for the brass, then bullets, dies... I honestly love that round out of an AR.

 

[deemus]

Yep - I bought a pile of S&B for the brass, then bullets, dies... I honestly love that round out of an AR.

What bullet are you using for it?

I bought some brass at an estate sale a while back, and there was a ton of 7.62 x 39 in there. I've been buying AK bullets to load but haven't started yet.

 

[robertc1024]

123gr Hornady FMJ's for actual bullets. Steel cased shit for plinking - some of which seems pretty decent.

 

[AKM47]

He's going to see which one (556 - 7.62) he can bulk up the most, that's the AK he's going to get

 

[deemus]

123gr Hornady FMJ's for actual bullets. Steel cased shit for plinking - some of which seems pretty decent.

123 SSTs

 

[TXAZ]

I pity those who are just now making that decision. Just found some stray AK rounds from the one I sold 20 years ago.

I recall paying $110 for 1100 rounds.

When I bought my first Norinco w/ milled receiver AK in ~1993, it $400, and 1440 rounds was $79.