Ruger introduced the Mini-30 in 1986. Chambered in 7.62x39 mm, the semi-automatic rifle uses an action similar to that of the M1 Garand and the M-14. The bolt is cycled by bleeding gas from the barrel as the rifle is fired. The gas drives a short stroke piston, which operates the bolt. Surplus 7.62x39mm ammunition is known to use corrosive primers. Improperly maintained Mini-30's develope corroded gas systems.
Hornady
Hornady produces a steel-cased 7.62x39mm round using non-corrosive Berdan primers. A polymer coating protects the ammunition from the elements. The use of Berdan primers makes reloading empty cases more difficult than ammunition with Boxer primers common in the United States.
Wolf
Produced in Russia, Wolf ammunition also uses non-corrosive Berdan primers. Wolf produces two types of ammunition for rifles chambered in 7.62x39. PolyPerformance ammo with full metal jacket, hollow-point and soft-point options. The other option is their Military Classic ammunition. The Military Classic ammo is designed for military-style rifles. Both types of ammunition are polymer coated to seal them.
Sellier and Bellot
Sellier and Bellot produces ammunition in the Czech Republic. Unlike Hornady's and Wolf's ammunition, Sellier and Bellot's 7.62x39mm ammo is brass cased with non-corrosive Boxer primers. This makes the ammunition reloadable.
Prvi Partizan
Based in Serbia, Prvi Partizan produces 7.62x39mm ammunition using non-corrosive primers in brass cases. Like with ammunition from Sellier and Bellot, empty cases are reloadable.
References
Writer Bio
Chris Orr began his career in 1988 as a sports writer. His work has appeared in "USD Vista," "UNLV Rebel Yell" and the "East Honolulu Newspaper" among other publications. Orr has a Bachelor Arts from the University of San Diego and a Master of Arts from the University of Hawaii in political science. He has worked in information technology since 1995.
