7.62x39 Ammo Guide: Steel vs Brass, Rifles and What We Stock

This 7.62x39 ammo guide covers the cartridge, the rifles that fire it, steel case against brass case, and what we keep on the shelf at our Phoenix warehouse. We stock 7.62x39 in steel case and brass case. Both are listed with live counts and a 360-degree spin of the actual box on the product page.

What 7.62x39 is

7.62x39mm is the Soviet intermediate cartridge introduced in the 1940s for the SKS and the AK family. It fires a bullet of about 120 to 125 grains at roughly 2,300 to 2,400 feet per second from a typical rifle barrel. That is slower and heavier than 5.56 NATO, with more arc in the trajectory past a few hundred yards. It is still one of the most common rifle cartridges in the world, and it is a popular choice for ranch rifles, truck guns and plinking.

One detail matters when you buy: 7.62x39 bullets usually measure .310 to .312 inch. That is not the same as .308 inch for .308 Winchester, and 7.62x39 is not interchangeable with 7.62x51 NATO, 7.62x54R or 7.62x25.

Rifles that fire 7.62x39

• AK-pattern rifles (AKM, AK-47 style, and their many commercial copies)
• SKS rifles, fed from the fixed magazine with stripper clips or from a detachable magazine conversion
• Ruger Mini-30, CZ 527 and Ruger American Ranch rifles chambered in 7.62x39
• AR-15 pattern rifles built for 7.62x39. These need the matching barrel, bolt and magazines

Steel case vs brass case

Most of the 7.62x39 sold in the United States has steel cases with a lacquer or polymer coating. Steel cases are not practical to reload, and some indoor ranges do not allow them. Brass cases are reloadable and accepted almost everywhere. AK and SKS rifles were designed around steel-case ammunition and generally run it well. Our full steel case vs brass case answer covers extraction and range policy.

A second check is the bullet jacket. Many steel-case loads use a bimetal jacket, a thin copper wash over steel, so the bullet picks up a magnet. That is not armor-piercing, but some ranges ban any bullet a magnet sticks to. If your range has that rule, test before you go.

The 7.62x39 we stock

• Precision One 7.62x39 123 grain FMJ, steel case: our deepest rifle lot, sold in 500-round packs.
• American Quality (Armscor) 7.62x39 123 grain FMJ, brass case: for ranges that require brass and for shooters who save their brass, sold in 250-round packs.

Both use a 123 grain full metal jacket bullet, so point of impact is usually close between them. Confirm it on paper with your own rifle. Browse the full 7.62x39mm category for current counts.

Corrosive surplus vs modern ammo

Old military surplus 7.62x39 was often loaded with corrosive primers, which leave salts that rust a bore if it is not cleaned soon after shooting. Current commercial production is generally non-corrosive. Check the box label. If you shoot old surplus, clean the bore, gas system and bolt the same day with a water-based cleaner, then oil.

Buying, shipping and pickup

Steel-case 7.62x39 is heavy. A 1,000-round case runs roughly 35 to 40 pounds with packaging, and shipping is charged by weight. Orders ship UPS Ground from Phoenix. See where we ship. You must be 21 or older to order. Local shooters can call 480-623-4515 and pick up Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with ID.

7.62x39 ammo questions

Is steel case 7.62x39 bad for my rifle?

Not for AK and SKS rifles, which were designed around it. Some shooters report faster extractor wear or extraction trouble with steel case in rifles built on tighter, brass-oriented designs, such as some AR-pattern 7.62x39 builds. If your rifle's maker recommends brass, use brass.

Can I use 7.62x39 in a .308 rifle?

No. They are different cartridges with different case dimensions and pressures. 7.62x39 will not chamber or fire safely in a .308 Winchester or 7.62x51 NATO rifle. Only use the cartridge stamped on your barrel.

Is 7.62x39 good for deer hunting in Arizona?

FMJ bullets like the ones we stock are for practice and are not suited to hunting, because they are not designed to expand. For hunting, use an expanding soft point or hollow point load and check current Arizona Game and Fish regulations for your hunt unit and species.

Why does 7.62x39 come in different pack sizes?

Manufacturers pack in different counts. Our steel-case line comes in 500-round packs and our brass line in 250-round packs. Larger packs usually cost less per round to ship, as explained in why bulk ammo is cheaper per round.

Compare cartridges in 5.56 vs 7.62x39, or read our ammo FAQ.