Ammunition

“Ammo — Buy it cheap! Stack it deep!”

-Savannah Arsenal-

Contents:

Ammunition Fundamentals:

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Ammunition Parts:

Bullet: The projectile that is shot by the rifle at the target. It is normally made of lead and may also have a jacket of hard metal such as copper. The bullet must match the chamber and bore of the rifle.

Cartridge: Fully assembled round of ammunition consisting of the case, primer, powder charge, and bullet (projectile).

Case: The container in which the ammunition parts are assemble. Usually made of brass or steel.

Powder: A chemical compound that when ignited serves as the propellant. When ignited by the primer, the power’s gases expand rapidly and produce a high pressure, providing the force needed to propel the bullet through the barrel and to the target.

Primer: Impact-sensitive chemical mixture that ignites when hit by the firing pin.

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How Ammunition Works:

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Corrosive Ammunition:

There are many methods to clean your firearm after shooting corrosive military surplus ammunition, but they all involve this:

  1. Rinse salts out with water.
  2. Dry.
  3. Clean/lubricate as normal.
  4. Inspect the rifle 2-5 days after to ensure there is no rust.




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Steel Case Ammunition: Will It Damage Your Guns?:

Below are some YouTube videos that I’ve collected on the subject of whether steel case ammunition will damage the extractor in your AR-15:



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There are many methods, but they all involve this:

  1. Rinse salts out with water.
  2. Dry.
  3. Clean/lubricate as normal.
  4. Inspect the rifle 2-5 days after to ensure there is no rust.




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Bi-Metal Bullets and Premature Barrel Wear:

Below are some YouTube videos that I’ve collected on the subject of whether bi-metal bullets found in some of the Russian and Ukrainian ammunition will damage your barrel.

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Lucky Gunner Lab’s Epic Torture Test:

While these YouTube videos are insightful with just enough information to help you form your own opinion, I highly recommend that you check out:

8357889187_a011a00177_zThese guys use four identical AR-15 rifles and fire 10,000 rounds of Federal brass case ammo, 10,000 rounds of Wolf steel case ammo, 10,000 of Tula steel case ammo, and 10,000 rounds of Brown Bear steel case ammo. Throughout the 10,000 rounds of each type of ammo they test for accuracy, velocity, throat erosion, and chamber pressure. Their results may further challenge your opinions.

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