7.62x39 Copper Case?

[DavidH1]

I just bought 550rds 7.62x39. It looks like a copper or copper coated case with the numbers 31 71 stamped on the bottom. Any idea what brand and is it decent ammo.

[Rightwinger]

Very common for the Com Bloc stuff to be copper "washed". I can't tell you what brand but would appear to be 1971 manufacture date. Shoot it in good health and enjoy.

[DavidH1]

Very common for the Com Bloc stuff to be copper "washed". I can't tell you what brand but would appear to be 1971 manufacture date. Shoot it in good health and enjoy.

Can these or the plain steel cases be reloaded?

[Rightwinger]

I have seen an article on reloading steel but it's death on your dies and popping the primers is a pain. Can be done buy why when you can just go buy more?

[Smith]

Sounds like it may be the Yugo surplus stuff. If it is, it is corrosive. Just something to keep in mind.

Strike that. Yugo is brass. I missed that part.

Edited August 13, 2010 by Smith

[Smith]

Can these or the plain steel cases be reloaded?

Yes, but not without costing more time, effort, and money than what buying it new cost.

[R1100R]

All Chi Com ammo that I use to buy was copper washed. It has been unavailable since the mid 90's. Most of what pops up has been from

personal stashes.

[DavidH1]

quote-"All Chi Com ammo that I use to buy was copper washed. It has been unavailable since the mid 90's. Most of what pops up has been from

personal stashes." quote

This ammo came from a guy who got it from a widow in the late nineties. I gave him hundred bucks for it, I don't know if that was good or not, he needed some cash, and has been down on his luck. I looked in the box and spit out a price, got home then counted it.

Thanks everyone, that answered my questions. I didn't think reloading was a good idea, but was curious on what you guys thought.

Edited August 13, 2010 by DavidH1
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[Magiccarpetrides]

Being that old its probably got a Corrosive primer so make sure your extra careful if you dont wanna rust out the barrel.

[peejman]

As they've said... mostly likely Chinese mil-surp. Copper-washed (ie, very thin coating) steel cased ammo. Likely corrosive primers. Cannot be re-loaded cost effectively. Fine for plinking, just clean the rifle afterwards.

[Guest malbolja]

I have some German 7.62X39 like that. Near as I can tell it's noncorrosive. Shoots fine.

[wareagle]

ARe all of the rounds loose? Any boxes or wrappers? I agree that this seems like Chinese copper wash. It was mostly if not all corrosive at this time.