The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Is all surplus ammo steel core? If not, where can I get some?

Almost all surplus ammo has a mild steel core.
I think what you meant to ask is "is all surplus ammo armor piercing?" And the answer to that would be no.
AP pretty much always has a black painted tip.
As to where you can get some, unless one of the guys here will sell you some, or you can find some on Gunbroker, you may be out of luck.

BigMuddy1031 wrote:Is all surplus ammo steel core? If not, where can I get some?

If you look here http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmoID.htm you'll see some of the different surplus that was made. If you're talking about the ammo that's being sold by most local gun shops and online vendors, then yes most of it is steelcore surplus.

If you go to this page, you will get the information you need. I just pulled a bullet on this Bulgarian ammo I bought recently and confirmed it is lead core, just like the chart says.

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmo.htm

A magnet, take one off the icebox door and hold it to the tip of the bullet, if it sticks then there is steel inside the bullet.

Junk Yard Dog wrote:A magnet, take one off the icebox door and hold it to the tip of the bullet, if it sticks then there is steel inside the bullet.

Aren't the jackets steel too?


I never thought about you wanting lead specifically.
I've always seen guys asking about the difference between steel core and AP.
Everyone seems to want AP for some reason.

The jackets are copper on the commie stuff I have, mild steel jackets are not uncommon for surplus ammo.