7.62×39. 7.62 Soviet. M43. These are all names for the same cartridge. However, it is important to know that 7.62×39 is the best intermediate cartridge. Although the German 8mm Kurz, which inspired it, was very close to it, newer lightweight projectile cartridges such as 5.56 have their benefits, but 7.62×39 is the best “intermediate” round. 7.62×39 is the main cartridge used by the ubiquitous AKM. It has had an interesting existence since its inception, in 1943. This round, much like the rifle it is used by, has been mass-produced to the point that it will probably outlive humanity’s reign on this planet. It will be hard to find 7.62×39 cartridges in warehouses around the world after the last war. But what does this cartridge have to offer gun owners in America? Photo: Wikipedia. 7.62x39mm round, commercial steel-cased. Photo: Wikipedia. The Germans created the 7.62×39 intermediate cartridge during WWII. The Germans had learned from the war that full-power rifle cartridges such as the 8mm Mauser could not be used in combat settings due to their limited range and accuracy. Engagements were occurring at greater distances than originally anticipated by the designers of the old-school service rifles. The large and powerful ammunition they used was often more of a hindrance rather than an advantage. The Germans reduced their standard infantry cartridge to create the 8mm Kurz (short for StG 44). Photo: Wikipedia. The new cartridge and weapon combination turned heads among small arms enthusiasts and military brass around the world. Many countries started to experiment with similar concepts. The Soviet Union was not an exception. Their efforts resulted in what can easily be called the most successful intermediate cartridge ever made. 7.62×39 was part of a larger modernization and standardization effort by the USSR. They wanted to replace their existing stockpiles of Mosin Nagants and SVT-40s, PPS-40s, and DPMs with a new family of weapons that used the 7.62×39 cartridge. The original 7.62×39 loading is the M43. This steel-cased round has a 123-grain FMJ bullet and has a steel core with a copper-plated jacket. This round can be fired from a standard 16-inch AK at a muzzle velocity of approximately 2,350 feet per second and delivers about 1,500 foot-pounds energy. This round also performs well with shorter barreled carbines. The velocity of lighter “intermediate” rounds, such as 5.56 and 5.45, is reduced when they are fired from shorter barrels. 7.62×39 however loses very little velocity. 7.62 Soviet is a great candidate for SBR builds and pistols. 7.62×39 cartridges have a very aggressive taper to them, which gives AK magazines their famous “banana” curve. The AK’s reliability has been aided by this taper, which is why it is so easy to feed and extract. All AK-platform guns can be reliable, but none as reliable as the 7.62x39mm variants. A Chinese 7.62x39mm mounted on a stripper clip, next to a Russian AKM “waffle” mag. 7.62x39mm has also been criticised as a military round. It doesn’t usually break when it hits a soft target. Instead, it passes straight through or tumbles once inside. This isn’t as destructive as a 5.56 bullet that travels fast enough to break up, but 7.62 offers better barrier penetration and greater stability in flight. This tradeoff is still worth considering on the 21st-century battlefield. Spetsnaz in Syria, and other modern warfighters, have been seen using 7.62 AKs to fulfill certain roles. This round has better barrier penetration and suppresses more effectively. Although 7.62 is not capable of producing the same extreme cavitation as 5.56, history has shown that it can still do its job. There have been many variations over the years. Most military ammunition is steel-cased with some steel in the core, while most commercial ammo (both imported and domestic) has a lead core. Depending on where it comes from, commercial ammo can either be brass- or steel-cased. It also has a wider range of projectiles. Soft-point rounds are very popular for hunting deer-sized game. Some companies also make ballistic-tipped hollowpoints. Although corrosive ammunition is not available on the U.S. market, it is still a popular choice for its performance. It is a reliable, reliable, and jack-of all-trades round that can provide enough stopping power and accuracy to be effective in most combat situations. Although it’s not a sniper’s round, it’s still a reliable round that can be used in most combat situations. Unfortunately, this is no longer true. The prices for both calibers are almost identical as of this writing, but 7.62×39 fans still believe that some companies like PSA will take steps to restore natural order. There has been enough production that it could fuel the next century of human conflict. And more is being made every day. It is not likely to go out of fashion with civilian and military users. It will continue to be used extensively around the globe for the foreseeable future. It is a versatile cartridge that can be used in many roles and with different weapon systems. You can use it for hunting, prepping, or simply to enjoy plinking cartridges with interesting histories. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be found in MOA. Perfect for long-range shooting! Get free targets
