Author Topic: Surplus 8mm ammo (Read 6393 times)

bruceg · « **on:** December 23, 2009, 12:42:10 AM »

I was given some surplus 8mm ammo, already in stripper clips. The primer end is labeled: 21 RPR 56. Is there an ammo guru out there that can identify these rounds? Where made? Age? Anything?

Thanks!

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:05:38 AM »

Bruce: I think that is European ammo, probably made in Chechoslovakia/Yugoslovakia in 1956. It is probably corrosively primed and 60 years old.

Be aware that old ammo can often create pressure spikes with powders that have degraded over time. I believe some Turkish 8mm ammo and some Indian 303 British ammo suffers from that.

Lots of guys would go take that stuff and just shoot it from their surplus Mausers. I would pull the bullets, dump all the powder into one container and use it as fire starter fuel...........................I would also avoid the brass as age and storage may have set up some of the cases for failure. HTH and be careful....

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:06:32 AM »

Bruce: sorry - keep the stripper clips, they are very useful for carrying additional rounds in the field.

gandog56 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2009, 03:30:10 PM »

Yugo/Czech? Nope:

Plant 21, Uzinale Metalugica Di Copsa Mica Si Cugir, Romania. Normally found on cartridge headstamps followed by the letters RPR which stand for Republica Popolara Romana (People's Republic of Romania)

And I've been shooting milsurp for a long time. The only stuff that ever gave me a problem was some POF .303 Brit. Made in Pakistan. And it fired OK, there was just a noticeable delay when firing it. Pull the trigger. you heard click....BANG!

bruceg · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2009, 06:06:01 AM »

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a mixed reaction as to whether this old ammunition should be fired at all.....some do, some don't.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2009, 08:13:22 AM »

Quote from: bruceg on December 28, 2009, 06:06:01 AM

Sounds like a mixed reaction as to whether this old ammunition should be fired at all.....some do, some don't.

FWIW, my own opinion is that there is no question at all about the shootability of this ammo. But what do I know... $:-\$

I believe this is the greenish/brownish/greyish colored stuff with the red sealant around the primer and case mouth. Is it?

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2009, 12:06:26 PM »

Romanian? Oh man, I can't believe I wasn't even in the same eastern European neighborhood. What's the world coming to................

bruceg · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2009, 02:18:58 PM »

I'm taking a real close look at these rounds. There does not appear to be sealant on either end....primer or bullet. The casing is bright brass and the bullet is shiney copper. These 100 rounds were given to me in small packages of 4 full stripper clips in each package. When I say "package" I would describe it as the old grocery sack material very neatly folded around these 4 stripper clips and tied with a length of twine. I can't say I've ever seen that before. Does that sound familiar to anybody for military surplus?

?

AtlLaw · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:09:28 PM »

That's strange... $:-\$

I'm looking around now. I think one thing is likely based on the headstamp; the year of manufacture is '54. If this was Russian block manufacture the 21 should designate Poland but I'm still looking!

I could go down to my gun room 'cause I got half a dozen brands of surplus 8mm, but that would take the fun outa it!

AtlLaw · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:21:59 PM »

Quote from: bruceg on December 29, 2009, 02:18:58 PM

The casing is bright brass and the bullet is shiney copper.

Like this?

AtlLaw · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2009, 04:48:12 PM »

I'm tired, got court in the morning, have looked at headstamps til my eye's crossed and can't find these! $:-\$

Just shoot the darn things and don't worry about who made them!

Have some shoot 'em up fun but remember they be ca-row-sive!

Mikey · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2009, 12:43:50 AM »

They probably are corrosive, so clean your rifle well after firing the stuff; use GI bore cleaner if you have it or if not, just a good cleaning with whatever you have. If you have any windex with Ammonia you can swab your bore with that as it (I believe) nullifies the corrosive salts used in the priming compound, then go after it with regular bore cleaner and the like.

After you fire a few rounds, look inside the case at the primer flash hole - if you see two holes you're not cross-eyed, that's what corrosive primers look like.

Just clean it well after you have used it and you should be fine. jmtcw.

bruceg · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2009, 01:16:12 AM »

Yes! The packaging is very similar to the picture,with the exception that there is no label...it's simply tied with twine in a simple knot. It's amazing to find out how much information is out there and great that others are willing to share what they know! Thanks to everyone for your input!!

1911crazy · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2009, 08:16:41 AM »

The only surplus 8mm ammo i have had FTF's with is the 50's yugo. Just a few rounds per case. For some reason all the 1937 turkish ammo all goes bang.(so far)

I think the romanian 8mm is one of the last shippments of 8mm mauser ammo. But some dealers still have ome 50's yugo too.

I have lots of turk, ecquadour, yugo 50's & 70's and some romanian tucked away. But i'm sure we'll shoot it all up. I still have some of the first 8mm i purchased too its made by FN.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2009, 11:22:28 AM »

I've heard nothing but good things about the Romanian and need to get a K or so myself. Aim still has some 70's stuff... but maybe somebody with 50 K or so laying around, say someone who likes to shoot old beltfed machine guns, will feel generous...

S.S. · « **Reply #15 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:35:52 PM »

RPR is a romanian headstamp code.
21 is probably a factory identifier
with the last number being the date
of manufacture. I would have no problem
at all firing it, Romania made some decent stuff...

Mikey · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2009, 01:30:50 AM »

Actually, I think the Portugese 8mm surplus is the best surplus around. It is good quality ammo; it has consistent detonation, report and recoil and it is reloadable. I can usually find it at gun shows.

Victor3 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2010, 05:01:04 PM »

Quote from: Mikey on December 30, 2009, 12:43:50 AM

After you fire a few rounds, look inside the case at the primer flash hole - if you see two holes you're not cross-eyed, that's what corrosive primers look like.

Not really. Two holes just means it's Berdan primed. There's plenty of non-corrosive Berdan ammo available. Swiss GP-11 for example.

rzwieg · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2010, 05:45:42 PM »

Pull the bullet and discard the powder. Hold the case with a pliers. Tape a BB or piece of small diameter shot to the primer and strike the primer case mouth down on a clean steel plate. If the plate rusts indoors, it's corrosive.

Wear ear and eye protection and gloves of course.

bruceg · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2010, 02:48:49 AM »

Thanks for all the good information and advice. Sounds like, as we all knew already, that any firearm should be taken care of and the cleaning performed timely>>>>especially holds true for the potential of using corrosive ammo. Clean it soon after shooting and there should not be a problem.

gandog56 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2010, 09:02:49 AM »

As long as you realize that a regular cleaning does not necessarily get rid of the corrosive salts. You need to take special steps.

shot1 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 04, 2010, 01:29:59 PM »

All you need to do to clean a bore that has corrosive primed ammo shot in it is run a few patches with just plain old water on them down the bore then clean with Hoppe's #9 or some other bore cleaner. The water kills the salts left by the primers.

gandog56 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2010, 08:08:10 AM »

Yep, but how many people do water as part of a normal barrel cleaning? Also you have to do the bolt face, too.

bruceg · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2010, 12:28:28 PM »

There's more to learn every day. I never would have considered using H2O for a few swabs and then a bore cleaner. Also, not to forget that the bolt face needs attention, too. Thanks!!

1911crazy · « **Reply #24 on:** January 11, 2010, 10:57:00 AM »

I just run wet patches thru the bore until there clean using the orginal G.I. Rifle Bore Cleaner or Hoppe's will do too. Then i squeeze two dry patches thru the bore to dry it and then oil it up.

We have experienced a few FTF's with the 50's yugo ammo. But even my 1937 turk ammo all goes bang everytime.

cbxboy · « **Reply #25 on:** January 14, 2010, 02:17:47 PM »

I can't withstand the silence any longer....don't know exactly which ammo you may have. Post a pic and we may help identify.

8mm Surplus bad??? I say put it in the gun and pull the trigger. Clean as you do ANY corrosive ammo possibility. You may email any number of us ol Milsurpers for our "favorite" way. I plan to shoot all this ammo in my lifetime and the cleaning is JUST the beginning!

Some one said dump the powder?? HuH? The powder is awesome! I pull much of my surplus, weigh and re-throw a charge to a nice 8mm case (or reshaped .06 casing) and download 10% as a rule of thumb. Works like a charm. Romanian, Turk, Yugo, Czech, Greek and possibly some others I forgot all pull nice and clean. The Ecuadorian 8mm (54 per 1000) is caked powder on the inside of the casing. Have found CHUNKS of metal in with powder....I pour it and strain it before REUSING IT! I have not had a single hiccup....maybe my guardian angel is sweating with the work though!

1911Crazy can give you square advice as well....7 years + of chatting with him.

1911crazy · « **Reply #26 on:** January 14, 2010, 02:26:59 PM »

When S.S. warned me about the surplus ammo drying up i talked with cbxboy and we told each other about the great buys on ammo at the time and we stocked up together. I'm sure i happy that i took the advice from S.S. he was right but its scary we talked about what would dryup first and we agreed it would be the ammo. And the surplus guns would be next to dry up. This was a few years back and we were right that scary for sure. I'm not sure were the collecting surplus military guns will go next but the future looks really grim on seeing anything new or different comming along. I guess its time to sit back and enjoy what we do have and be thankful that we still live in a free country were we can still own guns and ammo.

I'm just sitting back waiting for the grandkids now and i hope they like shooting too. I have to leave my stuff to someone when i pass on.

gandog56 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:35:40 AM »

Quote from: bruceg on January 05, 2010, 12:28:28 PM

There's more to learn every day. I never would have considered using H2O for a few swabs and then a bore cleaner. Also, not to forget that the bolt face needs attention, too. Thanks!!

And the chamber!

1911crazy · « **Reply #28 on:** January 18, 2010, 06:45:45 AM »

Quote from: gandog56 on January 15, 2010, 08:35:40 AM

Quote from: bruceg on January 05, 2010, 12:28:28 PM
There's more to learn every day. I never would have considered using H2O for a few swabs and then a bore cleaner. Also, not to forget that the bolt face needs attention, too. Thanks!!

And the chamber!

I hope your cleaning and flushing it from the chamber out to the muzzle? I always clean guns the way the bullet leaves the barrel from the chamber out this way were not washing all the residue into the chamber/receivers.

whitedog · « **Reply #29 on:** January 23, 2010, 03:33:48 PM »

Windex with ammonia. Soak a patch and swab the bore. Follow up with hoppes and clean patches. Good to go after that. Benn doing this for a number of years and no corrosion problems.