Hi Guys,

 

Another question regarding Mosin ammo.

 

I had a small run in with my home range about the ammo that I wanted to feed my Mosin this evening. When I acquired the rifle, I got about ~650 of surplus ammo. These rounds have FMJs, however my range seems to think they are steel core because they are magnetic. I have no way of knowing for sure, so I have come to the ammo gurus to find out. How can I tell? And better question, if they are NOT steel core, how can I convince my range? I have attached an image of the ammo for reference. 

 

On a similar question, when buying Mosin ammo online, how can I know for sure that these rounds have a lead core?

buy the hunting soft  tip

they are not steel core, they are steel jackets...bimetal lead core

For some ranges if the magnet sticks, it's a no go.  Their range, their rules.

Yeah, but I don't have to like them... lol. Guess buying brass commercial and reload for the indoor range.. keep the magnetic stuff for the outdoor

You'll probably enjoy shooting your rifle outdoors at longer distances anyway.

 

Outside of function testing, going out to 50 yards with a .30-06 gets boring quick.

I agree shoot the Mosin outside with the surplus ammo. The non steel ammo in 7.62x54r isn't exactly cheap I remember paying about $1 per round. As apposed to a 440 spam can for around $80-$100 if you shop around for it. One other piece of advice I have if your shooting surplus is don't slack on cleaning the gun that powder is corrosive.

It may not be steel core (Steel jacket with a copper wash and lead core is common) but the concern may still be the same.  They dont always hate on the cores for backstop damage.  They create spark shows on steel sometimes whether the steel is in the jacket or the core.

Been there done that lol...its really cool to see though.

Maybe you pull one apart and see what it is?  Who napped you, Steve?

Maybe you pull one apart and see what it is? Who napped you, Steve?

No I think it was Mike. The guys were very professional about it atleast. I think I will pull one apart and take a peak.

They are not silver tip surplus rounds, so they should not be steel core.

 

Do you have access to a grinder or hacksaw? cut the bullet on a slight angle and see if the inside has a steel core. If no steel core show it to the range officer and if they still say it's steel core I would tell them to shove it or spend the extra and get some new Prvi ammo (FMJ) that is not steel core or corrosive.