Different Types of 7.62

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over the different types of 7.62 ammo on the market. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of some of the common 7.62 cartridges one may encounter. The calibers we will cover will cover both pistol and rifle cartridges, all of which have seen historic military use throughout the 20^th century and beyond. Without further ado, let’s talk 7.62 caliber cartridges.

What Does 7.62 Mean?

Before we go any further, we should define what exactly is meant by “7.62.” The term “7.62” is used as a shorthand way to denote 7.62 millimeters, or 7.62mm. This metric measurement is used commonly in the context of ammunition to denote the diameter of a bore or projectile. This is to say, that the different types of 7.62 ammo have similarly sized projectiles in terms of diameter. While diameter may be close or identical across different calibers, shooters will find that there are many differences between types of 7.62 ammunition.

Is all 7.62 Ammo the Same?

Not every 7.62 caliber is identical. While different calibers may feature similar or identically sized projectiles, there are still many differences to consider. For example, the 7.62x39 and 7.62x54r are both different 7.62 calibers with vast differences. While their projectiles may be nearly identical, one cannot help but notice that 7.62x54r ammo features a distinct rim while 7.62x39 ammunition does not. Additionally, the 7.62x54r cartridge is significantly longer than the shorter 7.62x39 round. The differences between types of 7.62 ammo become even more apparent when one compares something like the 7.62x25 Tokarev to the 7.62x51mm NATO. The 7.62x25 Tokarev is clearly a bottlenecked pistol cartridge while the 7.62x51mm NATO is a rifle round. The similarity shared between these cartridges is limited to the general diameter of their projectiles. When comparing the projectiles of these two rounds, one will see that the pointed 7.62x51mm NATO projectiles are much different than the rounded 7.62x25 Tokarev projectiles.

Purchase Ammo

7.62x25 Tokarev

Introduced in 1930, the 7.62x25 Tokarev round is a bottlenecked pistol cartridge that originates from the Soviet Union. The cartridge was essentially designed to be the Russian answer to the 7.63x25mm Mauser round which was used by the Mauser C96. The 7.62x25 Tokarev cartridge ended up being so close to the Mauser cartridge in terms of dimensions that pistols chambered in the Tokarev round could safely fire 7.63x25 Mauser ammo. The inverse, however, is not true as the 7.62x25 Tokarev cartridge is considerably more powerful and boasts higher pressures than the 7.63x25 Mauser round. The additional power and pressure of the Tokarev round made it well-suited for use in autoloading handguns and submachine guns. Notably, firearms such as the Tokarev TT-33, PPSh-41 submachine gun, and CZ-52 pistol were chambered in the cartridge. Most 7.62x25 Tokarev loadings will feature 86 to 86 grain projectiles. Loadings will also generally be found from 85 to 90 grains depending on the specific load or manufacturer. Full metal jacket (FMJ) and hollow point (HP) projectiles are also commonly found on 7.62x25 Tokarev loadings. More often than not, one will encounter FMJ projectiles over HP ones. Additionally, steel casings will be more prevalent than brass casings when it comes to 7.62x25 Tokarev.

7.62x38r

Like the 7.62x25 Tokarev, the 7.62x38r is a historic Russian handgun cartridge. First introduced in 1895 alongside the M1895 Nagant Revolver, the cartridge features a pronounced rim, making it suitable for revolver use. Notably, the “r” in the cartridge’s name stands for “rimmed” and helps differentiate it from other types of 7.62 ammo. Beyond the prominent rim at the base of the cartridge, the 7.62x38r stands apart from other cartridges due to its recessed projectile. The projectile is set into the casing and crimped when manufactured, giving off an appearance more akin to a sleeve rather than a conventional cartridge. This design choice was no mistake and was done so deliberately to optimize its use in the M1895 Nagant Revolver. The M1895 Nagant Revolver features a unique gas seal mechanism which consists of a cylinder that moves forward towards the forcing cone during the firing process. This gas seal mechanism paired with the unique 7.62x38r cartridges allows for increased muzzle velocity. Grain weights for this cartridge will generally range from 97 to 108 grain form. An overwhelming majority of these loadings will feature FMJ projectiles as opposed to other bullet types. As far as casings go, one will find that steel cased and brass offerings exist for the cartridge. Surplus loadings will typically feature steel casings while modern offerings generally feature brass casings.

7.62x39

One of the most common and ubiquitous 7.62 cartridges in existence, the 7.62x39 cartridge was designed in the 1940s. Development of the cartridge was spurred by the Soviet’s desire to produce an intermediate rifle round which could be utilized in a variety of firearms. The cartridge was to be utilized in a semi-automatic carbine, light machine gun, and select fire rifle. Logistically speaking, selecting a common round to be utilized by various weapons systems means that supply for one round must be maintained as opposed to several. Production for the cartridge began in 1944, leading to the round becoming adopted as standard issue for the Soviets in 1945. The 7.62x39 would serve as the standard issue cartridge from 1945 through most of the Cold War, eventually being replaced by the 5.45x39. Some of the most common firearms encountered in 7.62x39 are going to be SKS rifles and AK pattern rifles. Typically, 7.62x39 ammo will feature light projectiles, commonly weighing in at 122 or 123 grains. Lighter weights and heavier weights ranging up to 150 grains also exist depending on the specific load. Loadings for the cartridge will also generally be found in the form of FMJ and HP form. More often than not, ammunition in this caliber will be of the steel cased variety with brass cased offerings being in the minority.

7.62x51mm NATO

Derived from the same T65 series of experimental cartridges as the .308 Winchester, the 7.62x51mm NATO entered service in 1954. While dimensionally similar to the .308 Winchester, the 7.62x51mm NATO, often just called the 7.62 NATO, is a lower pressure round than its commercial counterpart. Firearms chambered in 7.62 NATO will not be able to safely fire .308 Winchester ammo. This is because 7.62 chambers are not rated for the pressures achieved by .308 Winchester loadings. However, one will be able to fire 7.62 NATO ammo in a firearm chambered in .308 Winchester due to their similar sizing and lower pressure. Since the cartridge’s adoption by NATO, the 7.62 NATO has been utilized in battle rifles, marksman rifles, assault rifles, and machine guns across the globe. Notably, firearms such as the HK G3, FN FAL, M14, and M60 light machine gun have been chambered in 7.62 NATO. The round would eventually see some level of replacement by the 5.56x45mm NATO round after its adoption as a NATO standardized round. While some countries went to the 5.56 NATO, there are still many countries and members of NATO who field the 7.62 NATO in primary or secondary capacities. The cartridge has a solid reputation as a military round and among shooters on the homefront, making it one of the most well-known 7.62 rounds in existence. Common grain weights for the 7.62 NATO will range from 147 grain to weights in the 180 grain range. Lighter and heavier projectiles are also available depending upon the loadings and manufacturer. Projectiles such as FMJ, HP, and hollow point boat tail (HPBT) projectiles are commonly found on 7.62 NATO loadings. Loadings for this caliber will generally be found in brass or steel cased form, with brass cased offerings being the majority.

7.62x54r

The 7.62x54r distinguishes itself from the other calibers on this list, and many others, by being one of the longest-serving military cartridges in history. Surpassed only by the .303 British, the 7.62x54r has seen constant use since its introduction in 1891 in the Russian Empire alongside the Mosin Nagant rifle. Beyond the original Mosin Nagant rifle, the cartridge saw use in other rifles such as the SVT-40 and Dragunov (SVD). Additionally, the cartridge was utilized in machine guns such as the DP-28 and PKM. Like the 7.62x38r, the cartridge’s name also bears an “r” in reference to the fact it is a rimmed cartridge. The presence of the rim on this rifle cartridge aids in ensuring that proper headspacing is achieved when chambered in a rifle. Additonally, the rims also aid in ensuring that the round interfaces properly with stripper clips and ammunition belts for machine guns. Typically, one will find 7.62x54r loadings with a 148 grain projectile. This grain weight was utilized in Soviet military loadings in both World War Two and beyond. Generally, loadings for this cartridge will range from 146 to 180 grains with some heavier options existing in the form of specialty loadings. Typically, FMJ, HP, and HPBT projectiles will be found in 7.62x54r loadings. Due to the Soviet nature of the round, a majority of the offerings for this caliber will be of the steel cased variety.

Purchase Ammo

Who Makes 7.62 Ammo?

All of the calibers on this list are available in both surplus and modern production offerings. Many of the surplus loadings are potentially corrosive and may feature steel casings. There are also exceptions to this as non-corrosive brass cased surplus ammo for calibers such as 7.62 NATO can also be found. As far as the calibers on this list go, there are less modern 7.62x38r ammo offerings than there are for the other types of 7.62 ammo on this list. PPU, the Serbian ammunition manufacturer, is one of the most notable producers of 7.62x38r ammunition in today’s market. Beyond 7.62x38r ammo, PPU also produces modern production loadings for the other calibers on this list. Other manufacturers who support most of these cartridges include Sellier & Bellot, Red Army Standard, Wolf, and Igman to name a few. At the end of the day, one will be able to find loadings for any of these types of 7.62 cartridges if they look for it.

Conclusion

All in all, these are some of the types of 7.62 ammunition on the market. It is important to recognize that there are many forms of 7.62 ammo on the market and to be familiar with their differences. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide variety of 7.62 caliber ammunition in addition to our other product offerings. Whether you are after a 7.62 caliber loading or something else, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting. Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options. View more posts about ammunition:

Different Types of 7.62