Steel jacket 7.62x39 ammo for Mini 30

sirptrk · 11-11-2007, 10:17 PM

Has anybody had any problems using steel jacket, Wolf brand hollow point ammo in a Mini 30. I have been told that the barrel will not handle it and will wear the rifling out if it is used. I didnt know it was steel jacket due to the copper color of the bullet until some pointed out that a magnet would stick to it, after dissecting the bullet, sure enough its steel jacket. I bought 1000 rounds of it. I guess I can still shot it in my SKS since it has a chrome lined barrel.

Zen900 · 11-11-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirptrk

Has anybody had any problems using steel jacket, Wolf brand hollow point ammo in a Mini 30. I have been told that the barrel will not handle it and will wear the rifling out if it is used. I didnt know it was steel jacket due to the copper color of the bullet until some pointed out that a magnet would stick to it, after dissecting the bullet, sure enough its steel jacket. I bought 1000 rounds of it. I guess I can still shot it in my SKS since it has a chrome lined barrel.

Dunno. I was told that it isn't allowed at indoor ranges because it damages the backwall. BTW, which do you like better: the SKS or the Mini 30?

toolman · 11-11-2007, 11:31 PM

Don't worry about it. The outer layer is a gilding metal that is softer than the steel of the barrel. My Mausers have digested thousands of rounds of surplus "steel jacket" ammo with no harm whatsoever. If I remember correctly, the outer-most layer is actually a copper\nickel blend.

sirptrk · 11-12-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen900

Dunno. I was told that it isn't allowed at indoor ranges because it damages the backwall. BTW, which do you like better: the SKS or the Mini 30?

I really like my Mini 30 due to the action and I personally think it is more accurate than my SKS. I havnt had real good luck with the extended magazines I have purchased for it. The original mags work really well. If anyone has suggestions on extended mags such as the polymer mags which I havnt tried yet I would like to hear from them. My SKS shots good, I have a Bell & Carlson synthetic stock and a red dot scope on it so it is a good coyote/varment gun. We live in the middle of nowhere so indoor shooting ranges are not a problem. I shoot within 50 foot of the house.

oldjarhead · 11-18-2007, 12:18 PM

The only higher cap mags that work with the mini-30 is the Pro-Mag 10 round.
I bought some 20 rounders that just don't work at all. The problem with the 20's is the follower and the position of the bolt lock 'tit'. It is too straight and sits too high; in addition to the high round on the left side of the follower.
The Pro-Mag 10 follower and tit is pretty similiar to Ruger's factory.
I can't give you a name for these funky 20's as they are not marked. I cut the tit off one of them but have not had a chance to shoot with it yet.
I shoot Brown Bear and Wolf with no problems.

11-11-2007, 10:17 PM	#1
sirptrk Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas USA, the middle of knowhere Posts: 31 Images: 7	Steel jacket 7.62x39 ammo for Mini 30 Has anybody had any problems using steel jacket, Wolf brand hollow point ammo in a Mini 30. I have been told that the barrel will not handle it and will wear the rifling out if it is used. I didnt know it was steel jacket due to the copper color of the bullet until some pointed out that a magnet would stick to it, after dissecting the bullet, sure enough its steel jacket. I bought 1000 rounds of it. I guess I can still shot it in my SKS since it has a chrome lined barrel.

11-11-2007, 11:31 PM	#3
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,582 Blog Entries: 22	Don't worry about it. The outer layer is a gilding metal that is softer than the steel of the barrel. My Mausers have digested thousands of rounds of surplus "steel jacket" ammo with no harm whatsoever. If I remember correctly, the outer-most layer is actually a copper\nickel blend. __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

11-18-2007, 12:18 PM	#5
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mansfield, MO Posts: 819	The only higher cap mags that work with the mini-30 is the Pro-Mag 10 round. I bought some 20 rounders that just don't work at all. The problem with the 20's is the follower and the position of the bolt lock 'tit'. It is too straight and sits too high; in addition to the high round on the left side of the follower. The Pro-Mag 10 follower and tit is pretty similiar to Ruger's factory. I can't give you a name for these funky 20's as they are not marked. I cut the tit off one of them but have not had a chance to shoot with it yet. I shoot Brown Bear and Wolf with no problems.