Corrosive Ammo vs. Non-Corrosive Ammo: Understanding the Difference

Corrosive Ammo vs. Non-Corrosive Ammo: Understanding the Difference

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to compare corrosive ammo to non-corrosive ammo today. These two types of ammo are encountered by shooters of all types and it is important to understand the difference between them. Our goal here is to provide a clear account as to what both types of ammo are while delving into traits, features, and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about corrosive ammo and non-corrosive ammo.

What is Corrosive Ammo?

Put plainly, corrosive ammo is ammunition which is corrosive in nature. During the firing process, ammunition of this type deposits corrosive salts into the action and bore of the firearm. If these salts are left unchecked, a firearm can experience corrosion in these sensitive areas. This corrosion can erode and compromise the integrity of a firearm if not addressed. Additionally, once corrosion starts, it will spread to other parts of the metal if it is not cleaned promptly. Loadings of this type can be found in commercial forms and in the form of military surplus loadings.

What is Non-Corrosive Ammo?

While corrosive ammo can lead to corrosion in one’s firearm, non-corrosive ammunition cannot. Ammo of this type is more plentiful than corrosive loadings are. This is to say that one will generally find non-corrosive ammo more commonly than corrosive ammo. While corrosive ammo is often marked as such or found in the form of surplus loadings, an overwhelming majority of commercial loadings are non-corrosive in nature. In fact, one only encounters specially marked non-corrosive ammo when looking for a particular caliber which common is supported by corrosive loadings. Purchase Ammo

How Does Corrosive Ammo Work?

Loadings of this type utilize primers which contain potassium chlorate. These primers are typically of the Berdan variety and can be found on either brass or steel case loadings. Of course, this is not to say that all Berdan primers are corrosive in nature as plenty of non-corrosive loadings exist with primers of this type. The salts produced by primers containing potassium chlorate will begin to corrode steel and metals when exposed to air. This is because potassium chlorate absorbs moisture from the air, leading to corrosion.

Advantages of Corrosive Ammo

• Corrosive ammo tends to be cheaper than other loadings on the market due to its corrosive nature. Price can also be further influenced by the age of some loadings. This is due to the fact that there are many corrosive military surplus loadings from the Cold War era still on the market.
• Loadings of this type tend to be available for some calibers while commercial support is not. This is particularly true for certain military surplus cartridges which are more obscure than others. For example, there are times when it is easier to find corrosive 8mm Mauser than it is to find non-corrosive loadings.

Disadvantages of Corrosive Ammo

• Like the name suggests, loadings of this type can potentially corrode one’s firearm. This is to say that major components such as one’s bolt, bore, chamber, gas tube, and piston can exhibit corrosion if not cleaned promptly after firing corrosive ammo.
• Corrosive ammunition requires immediate action after firing to ensure corrosion does not set in and spread. If one does not act quickly, they run the risk of incurring permanent damage to their firearm. This damage and erosion can occur in key areas such as the chamber and bore of a firearm.

How Do You Clean After Shooting Corrosive Ammo?

Cleaning firearms after shooting corrosive ammunition is incredibly important. If one does not promptly address the corrosive salts deposited in their firearm, one runs the risk of damaging their firearm. When it comes to cleaning, one must essentially dissolve and displace the corrosive salts deposited in their firearm. There is no single way to accomplish this task, meaning that shooters have various resources and methods for combatting corrosion. One of the easiest and most expedient ways to defeat corrosive salts would be to utilize water. Water naturally dissolves salts and will handily remove corrosive salts from a firearm. Some shooters simply utilize a garden hose while others utilize warm, soapy water. Either of these water-based methods work well and should be followed up with a CLP type solution. Additionally, metal components should be dried and excess water should be removed to further combat rust. Shooters have also utilized cleaning compounds which contain ammonia to combat the corrosive salts deposited by corrosive ammunition. Cleaning compounds designed for firearms and diluted cleaners such as Windex have often been utilized by shooters for this purpose. Solvent solutions with ammonia tend to be particularly effective at eliminating corrosive salts and removing copper fouling from bores. One should take care to dilute cleaners with high ammonia levels or utilize specific cleaning products designed for firearms. Too much ammonia can potentially harm bores and finishes if used improperly. It is also a good practice to follow up with some warm water when utilizing high ammonia level cleaning solutions. Doing so effectively flushes out the ammonia solution along with the fouling and other media it removed from the bore and action. Additionally, water will ensure that potentially damaging levels of ammonia are removed from the firearm. As with water, one should follow up with a CLP type solution to further protect their firearm after this lengthy cleaning. Of course, these are just some of the cleaning methods one can employ when cleaning their firearm after shooting corrosive ammo. Regardless of the cleaning method utilized, one should be thorough and ensure that they address all possible areas which may have been exposed to corrosive salts. Some shooters will place all their focus on the bore and action and neglect other potential areas for corrosion. For example, in an AK type rifle, one should also inspect and clean the fire control group and gas tube/gas block area to stave off corrosion. If an overlooked area is not addressed, corrosion can spread and be an issue down the road. Purchase Ammo

Where Does Corrosive Ammo Come From?

Corrosive ammunition is commonly available in the form of military surplus ammo. Loadings of this type are typically of European origin and can be decades old. Most of the corrosive military surplus ammunition on the market is going to be from the Cold War era with some older examples still being available. Ammunition of this type was produced by countries such as Russia, former Yugoslavia, Romania, former Czechoslovakia, Turkey, and England to name a few. Of course, not all military surplus ammo offerings are going to be corrosive. Notably, surplus GP11 ammunition from Switzerland utilizes non-corrosive Berdan primers. In addition to military surplus ammunition, there are also modern production corrosive loadings which can be found on the market today. These loadings typically come from ex-Warsaw pact countries and are often manufactured to Cold War military specifications. One will be hard-pressed to find domestically produced corrosive ammunition as nearly every American ammo manufacturer uses non-corrosive Boxer primers.

Who Makes Non-Corrosive Ammo?

Non-corrosive ammunition is currently produced by a wide range of companies. These companies produce ammunition for commercial and professional use and are utilized by civilians, militaries, and law enforcement agencies alike. As mentioned above, ammunition of this type is going to be the most common type found on the market. CCI, Sellier & Bellot, Maxxtech, Magtech, Federal, and Fiocchi are among the many companies that produce non-corrosive ammunition. Ammo of this type is available in various forms such as full metal jacket (FMJ) for training, soft point loadings for hunting, and hollow point loadings for self-defense. Of course, specialty offerings such as frangibles and lead-free loadings are also available. These types of loadings generally feature Boxer primers, with some offerings utilizing non-corrosive Berdan primers. Additionally, these loadings can be found in a variety of forms such as brass, aluminum, and steel cased offerings. Put plainly, non-corrosive ammunition is available in many more forms than corrosive ammunition is.

Is It Hard to Find Non-Corrosive Ammo?

Shooters will not need to go out of their way to find non-corrosive ammo. As mentioned above, an overwhelming majority of the loadings one will find on the market are not corrosive in nature. This is to say that most loadings found at places where ammo is sold are going to be non-corrosive. One will find a wide range of non-corrosive loadings for calibers such as 9mm and 5.56 in various quantities. Shooters can find individual boxes and bulk ammo offerings as far as non-corrosive ammo goes.

Conclusion

The choice between corrosive and non-corrosive ammunition ultimately depends on individual preferences, budget, and firearm requirements. Corrosive ammo can offer cost savings but requires meticulous cleaning to prevent corrosion. Non-corrosive ammo reduces maintenance demands but comes at a higher price point. By understanding the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each type, firearm owners can make informed decisions that align with their shooting needs and ensure the longevity and reliability of their firearms. Remember, proper firearm maintenance and regular cleaning practices are essential, regardless of the type of ammunition used.