Steel core ammo...???

C

crm114

Inactive
Picked up a Norinco SKS this afternoon from an individual for the princely sum of $100. It came with 2 30 rnd. mags of unknown brand, spike bayonet and mount, cleaning kit and various tools, along with a synthetic stock. He also said there was some extra ammo in the box, but I didnt really look at it till I got home.

So when I get home, I take a look at my new toy and it's various accessories. I notice a box of ammo apparently made by Norinco labeled "7.62x39mm Steel Core Bullets". Am I correct in thinking that these are armor piercing rounds? I have a total of ~70 rounds and dont want to shoot them (or save them) till I make sure. Anyone know the legality of these type of rounds in Texas?

Also, is it the Norinco SKS's that have the chrome barrel? Overall, the rifle is in pretty good shape inside and out and looks mighty mean when you attach the bayonet and magazine. I'll be taking it to the range tomorrow (minus the bayonet of course) to see how it well it operates/shoots, just wanted to get a little more information.

Thanks in advance...
 
Don't know about Norinco's terminology but "Steel Core Bullets" would mean armor piercing to me. To be sure, you'd need to section one and see whether it was in fact steel core or steel jacketed (with copper guilding). As far as legal goes, I doubt there's a problem, but I'm not completely up to date on Texas firearms laws. I have an ammo can of Talon 30-06 AP and another can of .30 cal. 163gr AP bullets for reloading -- that's in CA. and it is legal.
 
Sounds legal to me. I have been dying to get some in .223.
 
Hope someone with the exacts chimes in - as I understand it, the steel core 7.62x39 is unlawful to import or sell. The problem is that some pistols are chambered in 7.62 and BATF declared that the ammo falls under the armor piercing handgun ammo rule.

Possession (IIRC) is not a problem, just can't transfer it.

Giz
 
As I understand it, neither possession nor transfer is illegal. The limitation is on domestic manufacture and importation. The rounds are NOT INTENDED FOR ARMOR PIERCING. They are a result of simple economy. Steel is cheaper than lead.

If you look at 9x18 rounds of the same genre you will note that they are also steel core. It made for one hell of a fiasco at the Military indoor range I was shooting at about 5 years ago. I fired five rounds and noted a weird, sort of delayed muzzle flash. I'd fire and an instant after the gun recoiled, it looked like sparks flew from the muzzle. I had the rangemaster watch the next 5 rounds. He saw nothing from the muzzle but when he looked at the backstop, sure enough it was getting lit up like the fourth of july. He took out his magnet and tested the remaining bullets. Sure enough, steel core. I still have the 90 remaining cartridges left from that trip.

A few words here on steel core. They are not armor piercing. They are mild steel which has about the same properties as hardcast lead or heavy jacketed lead bullets. They are cheaper to manufacture by a large margin. The stupid scare about armor piercing bullets ignored the fact that none so-designed existed at the time in anything short of rifle caliber. Currently, the FN Five-Seven and some others are the only pistols that are purpose-designed to defeat body armor.

Bottom line here -- Do not shoot your ammo into dry brush. Hitting a rock will cause sparks. California had to deal with a rash of brush fires from the 7.62x39 ammo in question. You might be best to sell your ammo to people who DO think that it's armor piercing ammo. Then go buy twice as much lead core ammo and laugh all the way to the range.
 
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