7.62x39 HP Worth It?

K

Khumanos

New member
I just recently got a Saiga 7.62x39. While looking for ammo online, I have seen many Russian brands of ammo, particularly TulAmmo 122gr HP. I know HP have been banned for military use, but was wondering if there is a huge difference between HP and FMJ in the 7.62. I know in pistol caliber there is, but just wondering for this caliber.

Background: I purchased the Saiga for a Katrina/zombie invasion situation [and fun at the range] and was wondering if the HP are worth the money or if they have issues [jams, etc].

Thanks for any inputs.

-Drew
 
I put quite a bit through my Saiga without issue, so go right ahead. My SKS on the other hand kept jamming the flatter nose against the chamber face so I had to switch back to FMJ.

Don't forget you can 'convert' your Saiga for about $150 in parts.
 
I've thought about the conversion, but for my needs, I can't justify the cost. It's fun at the range as is, and if the worse comes, I doubt anyone will care too much about 922 for a few larger mags.

Appreciate the input.

Any idea on the ballistics between the two?
 
Most of the foreign HP's are not really an expanding HP, but more along the lines of a HP match bullet, which they arent either. Basically, they just put a hollow point on a standard fmj type boat tail bullet. Match bullets have a jacketed base.

If you want a bullet that will perform, then the soft points are the way to go. Ive always had the best luck with the old Barnaul 125 grain SP's. I believe now they are sold under the Brown and Silver Bear brands.

Where almost all of the other bullets look like a standard military boat tail type, roll crimped base, the Barnauls have a flat, jacketed base, and look a lot like the Sierra Game Kings. They have been the most consistent and accurate 7.62x39 Ive used. They also expand like a hunting bullet.

Wolf also has some 154 grain SP's, and Ive had good luck with them accuracy wise as well, the only problem with Wolf is, they are very inconsistent and you never know what youre going to get.
 
The only 7.62x39 HP ammo worth stockpiling is the old 124gr Wolf "Military Classic" HP made by Ulyanovsk using their 8M3 bullet. That ammo is reported to fragment just like .223 ammo does.
 
Military classic HP shoot great. Should have no worries of them jamming. Also expansion on critters is great. Just ask the yote who lost his life last Saturday morning!! :D
 
There is a lot of surplus Yugo 7.62x39 ammo available cheap right now...corrosive FMJ...
The Yugo has the rep of being one of the best FMJ anti-personel rounds in the this caliber.
 
"While looking for ammo online, I have seen many Russian brands of ammo, particularly TulAmmo 122gr HP. I know HP have been banned for military use, but was wondering if there is a huge difference between HP and FMJ in the 7.62. I know in pistol caliber there is, but just wondering for this caliber."

Good Question! Years ago I did some research on the HP 7.62X39 now back then I didn't have access to ballistic gel so I used a wet phone book of 1026 pages, and a bucket of water (5gal plaster bucket) back stop was 4 additional phone books of same size. All shots were at 100 yards temp was 58 degrees and humidity was 32% 0 wind. MV=2258 fps Me=1392.8 ft lbs
bullet 122.7 gr FMJ. & 122.9 JHP pulled from Norenco ammo and weighed. Load was 25.0 gr IMR 4198

The FMJ rounds went through the bucket phone book and water like shooting a paper target, found in the backstop at page 581of the first book. Weight after recovery was 120.9 gr The HP rounds stopped at page 762 in the phone book inside the bucket of water, with minimal expansion to .401 at its longest point and an average DOA from the 4 points to .371, recovered weight was 98.6 gr.
Interesting results but not as scientific as using ballistic gel but did prove to me that the HP rounds would be OK for hunting. I could not get a reading on temporary cavity or Permanent cavity.

Mace
Happiness is a belt fed weapon and lots of ammo.
 
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