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3/30/2003 11:44:48 AM EDT
While the final results have not been formaly figured for the ammo tests that RS39 and I conducted last weekend; here is some info on the ammo that shot the best over all groups.  The Silver Bear Match was what everythigng else was being tested against.

The following info are the results of pulling a random group of 5 bullets of each type and testing the bullet diameter, powder charge, and bullet weight.

In no particular order................


7.62 x 39 Silver Bear Match (Made by Barnaul)

Bullet 1) 126.6gr  - powder 24.4gr  - .310 diameter.

Bullet 2) 126.3gr -  powder 24.7gr  - .3095 diameter.

Bullet 3) 126.0gr - powder 25.0gr   - .310 diameter.

Bullet 4) 125.5gr - powder 24.8gr   - .311 diameter.

Bullet 5) 125.6gr - powder 25.0gr.  - .312 diamter.

Average bullet weight = exactly 126gr.  Maximum difference of 1.1 grain.

Average powder charge = 24.78gr. Maximum difference of .6 grains

 
Yugo.

Bullet 1)
Diameter - .3065
Powder   - .25.1gr
Bullet   - .122.5gr

2)
Diameter - .3065
Powder   -  25.4gr
Bullet   - 123.8gr

3)
Diameter - .306
Powder   - 25.4gr
Bullet   - 122.6gr

4)
Diameter - .306
Powder   - 25.8gr
Bullet   - 122.8gr

5)
Diameter - .3065
Powder   - 25.4gr
Bullet   - 123.5gr

Notice bullet diameter.  Very consistant, but undersized.  Bullet is an open base lead core.
Max. difference in bullet weight - 1.3 grains.  Average weight = 123.04gr.
Max difference in powder charge - .7 grains  Average charge = 25.4gr.

Baranul FMJ

Bullet 1)
Diameter - .310
Powder   - 24.4gr
Bullet   - 125.9gr

2)
Diameter - .309
Powder   - 24.4gr
Bullet   - 125.6gr

3)
Diameter - .310
Powder   - 24.4gr
Bullet   -125.5gr

4)
Diameter - .310
Powder   -  24.2gr
Bullet   - 125.5gr

5)
Diameter - .3095
Powder   - 24.3gr
Bullet   - 125.6gr

Note consistant bullet diameter, powder charge, and bullet weight.  It is obvious why this ammo was so consistant in all rifles.

Max difference in bullet weight .3 grains. Average bullet weight = 125.62 grains.
Max difference in powder charge .3 grains.  Average powder charge = 24.34 grains

Bullet was has a deep hollow base lead core. It has the same base as the Silver Bear Match leading me to believe the match was designed from this bullet type.

Barnaul Soft Point.

Bullet 1)
Diameter - .310
Powder   - 26.8gr
Bullet   - 125gr

2)
Diameter - .3095
Powder   - 26.5gr
Bullet   - 125.5gr

3)
Diameter - .3095
Powder   - 26.6gr
Bullet   - 124.1gr

4)
Diameter - .3095
Powder   - .26.7gr
Bullet   - 125gr

5)
Diamter - .310
Powder  - 26.6gr
Bullet  - 125.1gr

Note the heavier powder charge than the other rounds.
Also note consitant bullet diameter and powder charge.  Bullet weight was consistant with the exception of one.

Max difference in bullet weight 1.4gr. Average bullet weight = 124.94gr
Max difference in powder charge = .3gr. Average powder charge = 26.64
Of note was that this bullet is fully enclosed in copper at the base.

All ammo types used what appeared to be the same type of finely extruded powder.Due to the interesting results, we will later do a test on the types of ammo that did not shhot as well.
 
3/30/2003 6:53:02 PM EDT
[#1]
 Thank you, good stuff.
 Just because this ammo is cheap doesn't mean there are not things to know about it and informed choices to be made.
3/30/2003 8:21:33 PM EDT
[#2]
Interesting test.  Can't wait to see the accuracy results.  Have you done a comparison of 5.45x39 ammo?  I have som Barnaul SP and Wolf HP, but keep puting off my tests for other tasks that keep coming up.   Initial shooting of the Barnaul indicated it may be rather inaccurate.  A good test IS forthcoming (soon).
3/30/2003 10:29:05 PM EDT
[#3]
We would like to do more testing on the 7.62 X 39 first.  We will re-shoot the ammo types that shot the best and worst, and pull bullets for testing for the poorer performers for comparison.

In the mean time we have acumulated almost all types of 5.45 on the market. As soon as we can, we will do a test for accuracy, penetration, and tumbling ability. I would love to jump into the next text, but there are reasons to want to do more testing on the 7.62 at this time.
3/31/2003 5:10:16 AM EDT
[#4]
We even have some RWS/Dynamit Nobel for the 5.45 test to come, with a SAR2 and Bulgy build. But we have tracks to re-trace on the 7.62 test. We were able to compare with similar irons at 50 yds (accuracy test, not vision test) for 2 Romy and 2 Chinese bbls, but the Bulgy gun was sidelined due to a disconnector that broke from improper heat treatment (one of about 50 the mfg was unable to catch when they found the snafu). For the finals we want to pick setups with representative bores, similar trigger settings, and similar scopes. And we probably need to connect with Campy to pin gauge the bore diameters as part of the report.
3/31/2003 8:42:49 AM EDT
[#5]
Thanks that is some good information..
3/31/2003 7:39:40 PM EDT
[#6]
Cool that's really interesting.
Sierra it ain't !
I'd like to see some ballistic gelatin testing of some of this stuff, I bet the 7.62x39 hollowpoints act like FMJ. I've never tried the softpoint.
I have some Wolf 55gr HP that I use in My SAR 3, I wonder how it does in gelatin.
3/31/2003 8:29:55 PM EDT
[#7]
Note to self: buy Barnaul instead of Wolf...
4/1/2003 6:41:21 AM EDT
[#8]
One thing that we did find humorous was when I opened my boxes of Barnaul 7.62 X 39 SP.  All 13 boxes I had were marked as the 7.62 SP, but all had .223 FMJ inside.

Just a small quality control problem.  Ooops!  I thought it was funny.  I'll shoot it at some point, no big deal.  Good thing RS39 brought some of his.
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