Surplus Bulgarian Ammo

[mdlave]

Hi everyone-

I got a good deal on a CZ52 and some surplus Bulgarian (I think) ammo at the gun show today. It was sealed in an 800rd tin, and I've been looking at it this evening.

1. The headstamp has a 10 in the 12o'clock position and a 53 in the 6o'clock position. Anyone know anything about this specific run of ammo? Is it the really hot stuff?

2. The ammo comes in little 16rd paper packs. I've opened a few, and about 25% of them have hairline splits at the top of the case. The bullets are secure, they don't shift at all. Are these safe to fire?

Thanks for your help.

[TripleDigitRide]

The "10" is the country (Bulgarian) code, and the "53 is the year is was produced.

As far as the splitting goes, I, personally, wouldn't take the chance. On the other hand, I've seen many others shoot them, just as long as the bullet isn't loose. From what I've read on other forums, the cracking issue is very common with this ammo.

It's also been reported that some Bulgarian ammo has blown up several CZ52's. I'm no expert, nor did this happen to me, but I thought it was worth a mention.

Here is a post from one of the forums

WARNING HERE---->Bulgarian 7.62 Tokarev in a CZ 52. OK, so my brother and I went out for a 2nd time with the "53" headstamped Bulgarian ammo. The stuff was cracking straight down to the head and I decided to quit. He was continiuing to fire when one round split right in half, blowing out and shattering the primer itself. The sand grain sized particles travelled quite effiecently through the firing pin hole straight into E.'s chest face and eyes. HE WAS BLEEDING A BIT AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT. His only clue, which was immediate, was that his safety glasses were instantly sandblasted. GOOD thing he had 'em on!

In my first post I asked whether anyone alse had seen this, and was pleasntly surprised to see that several people had seen it. Little did I know the cases were split before firing! It took a younger man next to us on the firing line to see them. E wasn't hurt and that's the main thing.

It doesn't matter how much wisdom people espouse concerning "buyer beware" and "you get what you pay for."

What does matter is buying a product from a trusted source that advertised caution AND satisfaction--and getting pranged through and through. Anyone saying we (he) "had it coming" or "deserved it" should try and imagine themselves in E's position. Or instill into your mind a picture of a young person, a child of yours perhaps, without glasses shooting this garbage that we paid good money for and getting high speed primer cup metal in their eye.

I wish this upon no-one.

But people, this headstamp = trash-bin garbage ammo + waste of $$$ = an injury to someone, someday somewhere.

Take Care all!!!

The Country Code "10" -

-Arsenal, Kazanlak (previously named Durjava Voenna Fabrika), Bulgaria (When found on ammunition made after 1946).

-Russian State Arsenal, location unknown. Listed here to avoid confusion with Bulgarian factory using the same code. Found on ammunition made 1946 and earlier. Factory Ceased operations in 1946

Edited May 4, 2008 by TripleDigitRide

[cadillacdude1975]

google?

[R1100R]

I have some that is marked 10/54. It is clean and shiny. It is a hot round.

As with most Milsurplus I tumble mine and inspect the cases. If there is anything wrong I discard them. Most of these are loaded to MG specs.

[TripleDigitRide]

From what information I've found, the "52" series is the ammo to stay away from. I guess that batch has had more problems than any.

[Guest mw.]

http://czechpistols82792.yuku.com/topic/4954/t/bad-ammo.html

[mdlave]

I fired about 50rds of it at the TWRA range today with no misfires. All shot straight. Thanks for the info guys, I'll know more of what to look out for now.

[Magiccarpetrides]

In case you didnt know (sure you do, but...) that ammo is corrosive so make sure you clean your gun immediately when your done for the day.