Military Surplus Ammo Considerations
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to cover
military surplus ammo considerations.
Military surplus ammunition has had a constant presence in the market and has been employed by shooters of all types. We are going to cover the various traits, features, and other considerations relevant to
ammunition of this type. Without further ado, let’s go over
military surplus ammo considerations.
What is Military Surplus Ammo?
Like the name suggests,
military surplus ammo is essentially leftover, or surplus,
ammunition intended for military use.
Ammo of this type is loaded to a variety of military specifications and generally feature full metal jacket projectiles. Loadings of this type encompass a variety of handgun and rifle calibers which have been employed throughout the world. Often times,
ammunition of this time is of old manufacture. Many military surplus offerings can be as old as World War Two era surplus loadings, with other offerings coming from the 80s and 90s.
Ammo of this type can be found in either individual or
bulk ammo form depending on the caliber and origin of the
ammo. Common
bulk ammo forms of military surplus offerings include crates,
ammo cans, and of course, the iconic “spam cans” commonly found with Soviet calibers. Generally speaking, the supply of
ammunition of this type tends to be volatile and subject to change. Pricing is also subject to frequent change as things such as sanctions and demand can impact the supply and price of surplus
ammo. Generally speaking, loadings of this type tend to be cheaper than modern production offerings.
Purchase Military Surplus Ammo
Common Military Surplus Calibers
Handgun Calibers:
Rifle Calibers:
Is Military Surplus Ammo Safe to Shoot?
Generally speaking,
military surplus ammunition is safe to shoot. Of course, one should ensure that their firearm is in good working order before shooting
ammunition of any kind. Military surplus firearms in particular should be inspected prior to firing. Often times, firearms of this type were stored in cosmoline and must be deep cleaned. Excess, leftover cosmoline can impede the function of a firearm.
Of course, as military surplus firearms are older in nature, one should ensure that their parts are mechanically sound and are not broken or at risk of breaking. Simply put, if
ammunition was stored properly and is not damaged, there is no reason not to trust
military surplus ammo. After all, loadings of this type were loaded to military specifications with reliability and longevity in mind.
Where Does Military Surplus Ammo Come From?
Military surplus ammo comes from a variety of countries and sources. The spectrum of countries that
military surplus ammunition can be found from is so fast that some of the countries do not exist anymore. For example, Czechoslovakian, West German, and Yugoslavian surplus loadings tend to be common despite these countries not existing in the current era. Countries such as Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, and Greece are among some of the common origins of
military surplus ammo.
Is Military Surplus Ammo Range Safe?
Whether or not
military surplus ammo is range safe is ultimately dependent upon the type of projectile used. Ranges, both indoor and outdoor, will generally bar the use of non-lead
ammunition at their facilities. Steel core projectiles and popular “green tip” loadings are specifically prohibited at ranges of this type. Indoor ranges generally disallow steel core
ammo as it can damage or excessively wear their backstop. Outdoor ranges prohibit steel core
ammo as it can create sparks when impacting steel targets or rocks, creating the potential for fire. One can employ a magnet to aid in determining whether or not a loading features a steel core or a lead core.
Some
military surplus ammo offerings utilize steel core projectiles, making them uncompliant with restrictions on steel
ammo. Loadings of this type tend to be accompanied by steel casings and are commonly found in the form of Soviet calibers such as 7.62x39 or 5.45x39. Other military surplus loadings in calibers such as 7.62x51mm NATO feature lead cores, making them range safe. Ultimately, one should not consider
military surplus ammunition to be completely range safe or prohibited from range use. One should inspect loadings on a case-by case basis before use. Ultimately, some
military surplus ammo is range safe while other military surplus offerings are not.
Is Military Surplus Ammo Reloadable?
This is another question which does not have a clean cut “yes” or “no” answer. There are many military surplus loadings which feature steel casings. While it is not impossible to reload steel casings, doing so is much harder on parts and components than brass casings are. Steel casings are not nearly as malleable as their brass counterparts, making them harder to reform or work with. Some military surplus loadings will feature brass casings which are more friendly for reloaders. Of course, the type of primer used in a loading is also very important when considering reloading. Boxer primers follow a standardized sizing convention while Berdan primers are inconsistent. Some military surplus loadings feature Boxer primers while others feature Berdan primers. All in all, reloading is possible with certain
milsurp ammo offerings.
Purchase Military Surplus Ammo
Is Military Surplus Ammo Corrosive?
It is important to understand that
military surplus ammunition is available in both corrosive and non-corrosive form. Due to this fact, one should closely inspect and research the
military surplus ammo loadings they may encounter. Corrosive loadings typically feature corrosive Berdan primers which release corrosive salts into the action and bore of the firearm. Of course, not all Berdan primers are corrosive. Other military surplus loadings feature non-corrosive Boxer or Berdan primers. So, in short, some
military surplus ammo is corrosive while some is not.
Can You Stockpile Military Surplus Ammo?
Military surplus ammunition is easily stockpiled. If you think about it,
ammunition of this type was quite literally intended to be mass produced and stored in high quantities to supply military personnel. Often times,
ammunition of this type has already endured many decades of storage by the time we encounter it. Loadings of this type typically feature preservative measures such as sealed primers and case necks to ensure cartridge contents stay dry and intact. Additionally, many of the “spam cans” and crates literally enclose their contents in metal, protecting them from the elements. In short, yes, one can purchase
military surplus ammunition for stockpiling purposes. As with any
ammunition, one will want to ensure ammo of this type is stored optimally in a dry and safe place.
Conclusion
All in all,
military surplus ammo continues to be an important type of
ammo encountered by shooters of all types.
Ammo of this type allows shooters to acquire large quantities of affordable
ammunition loaded to military specifications. We here at True Shot Ammo offer a wide range of
ammo for sale, with multiple military surplus loadings being present in our inventory. Whether you are looking to
buy military surplus ammo or want to
buy ammunition of another type, 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.
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