Bulgarian Heavy Ball Brass Case?

Joshua M. Smith · 11-24-2007, 03:08 PM

Hi All,

Went to Dunham's to pick up some more ammo. I figured on some more soft point.

They were out and so I got to looking at the only other stuff they had: Bulgarian surplus in brass cases from 1954.

Stuff was expensive for 10 of them, on the order of what I'd expect to pay for good, non-corrosive, commercial ammo. Like the soft point Barnaul that my M44 likes.

I looked at the price, asked the salesman what was going on since it was cheaper when they first opened. He denied any price change, but if you've not noticed it about me, I'm an ammunition junky and, when I've not seen something before, I'll pick it up if I have a couple bucks in my pocket.

This is what I ended up with. Ten rounds for that price. The "EVERYDAY LOW PRICE" on the sticker made me chuckle.

From what I've read, what I have here is fairly consistent heavy ball from Bulgaria in fully brass cases. Quality ammo, but still surplus. I'm also reading that it's berdan primed and therefore not reloadable.

The pressing question on my mind is this: What the heck is this ammo's redeeming virtue? Why is it as expensive as the mid-grade commercial stuff?

I have 100 rounds of Czech silver tipped in my ammo drawer and another hundred or two in a waterproof US military container with extra ammo for the rest of my guns, which will not see the light of day until "2012," so I don't need to shoot it and probably will not.

Anything you can tell me about this that 7.62x54r.net and mosinnagant.net cannot would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Josh <><

Mooseman684 · 11-24-2007, 03:18 PM

Even in todays Market, That is way too much for Milsurp Heavy Ball ammo !
J&G sales has it for 49.95 for a 300 round Tin !
J&G Sales
That works out to just under 17 cents a round !
Rich

Joshua M. Smith · 11-24-2007, 04:17 PM

Thanks Mooseman. I thought maybe I was missing something, and I would pay that price for reloadable cases - I plan on getting a reloading setup one day, and it would be nice to have brass for it.

But being berdan primed, eh, unless they start making berdan deprimers and start selling new primers, I don't see it being a go.

Thanks again,

Josh <><

just_a_car · 11-24-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua M. Smith

But being berdan primed, eh, unless they start making berdan deprimers and start selling new primers, I don't see it being a go.

Thanks again,

Josh <><

Josh, they do make berdan deprimers: MidwayUSA - RCBS Berdan Decapping Tool

Then you just have to find some berdan primers... or, ream out the flash holes and use boxer primers.

troy2000 · 11-25-2007, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua M. Smith

The pressing question on my mind is this: What the heck is this ammo's redeeming virtue? Why is it as expensive as the mid-grade commercial stuff?

I'd say just the fact that people aren't real familiar with it, so if they keep a straight face some will buy it...remember, some folks carry the idea that you get what you pay for to an extreme. The higher you price something, the more likely they are to buy it and think it's wonderful.

Mooseman684 · 11-25-2007, 03:32 AM

Re-priming Berdan is just Not the way to go...Not worth the time or the hassle of it, Trust me , I tried it with a Berdan de-capper ....
Buy a bunch of re-loadable casings and use those for reloading and the Berdan stuff for plinking...

11-24-2007, 03:08 PM	#1
Joshua M. Smith Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wabash IN Posts: 379	Bulgarian Heavy Ball Brass Case? Hi All, Went to Dunham's to pick up some more ammo. I figured on some more soft point. They were out and so I got to looking at the only other stuff they had: Bulgarian surplus in brass cases from 1954. Stuff was expensive for 10 of them, on the order of what I'd expect to pay for good, non-corrosive, commercial ammo. Like the soft point Barnaul that my M44 likes. I looked at the price, asked the salesman what was going on since it was cheaper when they first opened. He denied any price change, but if you've not noticed it about me, I'm an ammunition junky and, when I've not seen something before, I'll pick it up if I have a couple bucks in my pocket. This is what I ended up with. Ten rounds for that price. The "EVERYDAY LOW PRICE" on the sticker made me chuckle. From what I've read, what I have here is fairly consistent heavy ball from Bulgaria in fully brass cases. Quality ammo, but still surplus. I'm also reading that it's berdan primed and therefore not reloadable. The pressing question on my mind is this: What the heck is this ammo's redeeming virtue? Why is it as expensive as the mid-grade commercial stuff? I have 100 rounds of Czech silver tipped in my ammo drawer and another hundred or two in a waterproof US military container with extra ammo for the rest of my guns, which will not see the light of day until "2012," so I don't need to shoot it and probably will not. Anything you can tell me about this that 7.62x54r.net and mosinnagant.net cannot would be appreciated. Thanks, Josh <>< __________________ Is it better to live by a corrupt society's standards rather than face persecution for not doing the same? This is the dilemma we now face. We must hold fast to our convictions as we confront this dilemma. Knowing one's self goes a long way in the crisis. - Me, Standup Philosopher

11-24-2007, 03:18 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,638 Images: 2	Even in todays Market, That is way too much for Milsurp Heavy Ball ammo ! J&G sales has it for 49.95 for a 300 round Tin ! J&G Sales That works out to just under 17 cents a round ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

11-24-2007, 04:17 PM	#3
Joshua M. Smith Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wabash IN Posts: 379	Thanks Mooseman. I thought maybe I was missing something, and I would pay that price for reloadable cases - I plan on getting a reloading setup one day, and it would be nice to have brass for it. But being berdan primed, eh, unless they start making berdan deprimers and start selling new primers, I don't see it being a go. Thanks again, Josh <>< __________________ Is it better to live by a corrupt society's standards rather than face persecution for not doing the same? This is the dilemma we now face. We must hold fast to our convictions as we confront this dilemma. Knowing one's self goes a long way in the crisis. - Me, Standup Philosopher

11-25-2007, 03:32 AM	#6
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,638 Images: 2	Re-priming Berdan is just Not the way to go...Not worth the time or the hassle of it, Trust me , I tried it with a Berdan de-capper .... Buy a bunch of re-loadable casings and use those for reloading and the Berdan stuff for plinking... __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!