7.62 ammo

[TEC]

Some years ago (about 1990-1992?), I purchased an SKS in 7.62 short (a Chinese paratrooper model, I am told). At the same time and from the same guy, I purchased a case (large sealed metal tin) of what was supposed to be the Chinese military surplus .762 ammo for the weapon. I eventually got around to cutting open the metal case of ammo, which seemed to be marked as 7.62mm something or other, but as it turned out, the rifle rounds were neither a 7.62 short for the SKS nor a 7.62/.308 Remmington round that would fit my M1A. Instead, it is something in between. I was told some time ago that they were probably for a Russian-made .762 rifle of some sort -- what the heck, I didn't spend that much on them. I put them in the back of the ammo cabnet and pretty much forgot about them.

Can anyone tell me what this round is likely to be? They are now at my place in the mountains, so I can't easily take a picture of the cartridge or send precise measurements until the next time I get up that way, but they might be something worth trading, for say .223 or .308 rounds, if anyone needs them.

 

[Robert]

If it is 7.62 and it is Russian then you most likely have 7.62x54R. If it is a full size rifle cartridge with a big rim around the bottom then it is 7.62x54R. Post a pic if you can.
Does it look like this?

 

[Acera]

I think the "short" you refer to is probably the 7.62x39. That would be he standard round for the SKS/AK-47.

The other 7.62, as Gus posted, is the longer version used in the Mosins and machine guns the 7.62x54R (rimmed).

You might pick up a box or two of the 7.62x39 next time you are at a store to check them out, and compare them to the rounds you already have.

 

[TEC]

Sorry, can't open your link. That sounds right. Both the primer and the bullet are sealed with a thin, red paint of some sort. It will be a week or more before I have the pictures. Seems a waste in this day and time not to put them in someone's hands who can use them.

Out of curiosity, is it illegal to mail or ship UPS one or two rounds to someone if I find a potential buyer to confirm what I am selling?

 

[lipadj46]

What he said. You most likely have ammo for a Mosin or Dragonuv among others. The good thing is that you will easily sell it for a tidy profit the bad is that you will pay a lot more for 7.62x39 now than 9 years ago.

 

[Robert]

I redid the link, give it a try.

 

[Acera]

Out of curiosity, is it illegal to mail or ship UPS one or two rounds to someone if I find a potential buyer to confirm what I am selling?

Yes, UPS does it all the time. Problem is that they usually make you take it to a hub to ship. They have to put a special sticker on it to denote that it is hazardous, and I have found they will not do that at a local storefront. Next time you happen across a UPS store, ask them where you have to take the ammo for shipment.

 

[TEC]

I'd say I have a case of #5 in that line up.

 

[Robert]

I'd say Pick you up a Mosin Nagant and have at it.

 

[lipadj46]

You have to take it to a UPS Shipping Center (NOT Mail Boxes Etc.). You need to have an ORM-D sticker on the outside denoting small arms ammunition and they will charge you a bit extra. You can print out the ORM-D stickers online and tape them on. Shipping ammo via USPS is a no no though I know it is done all the time.

 

[Acera]

Here are a couple of pictures that might help.

They are, from left to right:

7.62x39
7.62x54r
5.56 NATO/.223
7.62 NATO/.308
30-06

Hopes this help you identification.

 

[doubs43]

TEC, you now have the perfect excuse to buy a Mosin-Nagant bolt rifle that fires the ammo you have. Or, as mentioned already, you can sell what you have for a nice profit. Personally, I'd rather have the rifle. The 91/30 rifles are nice and probably the least expensive.

 

[harmon rabb]

As someone else said, don't sell it. Buy a moisin nagant rifle for $80 from aimsurplus and use the ammo.

 

[TEC]

LOL -- OK, so I have a case of Commie 7.62R ammo to trade for some American caliber rounds -- .22LR, .223, .243Rem, 7.62 NATO, .308 Rem, or 7mm RemMag. Hell, I would even swap for shotgun or pistol rounds. I can always use .380, .38 sp, 9mm, .40SW, 44mag or 45ACP/Auto rounds. I long since got rid of the little SKS rifle, so I don't need 7.62 shorts.

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

If it is somewhere between 7.62 X 39 and 7.62X 51 it could be 7.62X45. This is the cartridge used in the Czech VZ-52. Not common but one does encounter it from time to time.

 

[jimparks]

If they are in fact 7.62 x 45 I'd be willing to buy them at 25 cents a round.

 

[TEC]

7.62x54R ammo

Sorry to have been so long replying. It has been too long since I have been up to my mountain place in NC for sure. Here are the pics of the cartridges in question. They are indeed 7.62 x 54R, and I have 440 rounds that I can't use. I would be happy to trade for something I could use, but that, I suppose, is a thread for the classifieds.