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Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2016 3:11 pm
by safetyfirst
Before I result to rolling my own, does anyone know of a commercial supplier of this?

Re: Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2016 9:25 pm
by Daryll
I'm sure our resident Ruskie will be along shortly, but I would think it will be likes hens teeth in this country.

Rusmilitary can supply, "By special order only with a minimum of 3000 rounds supplied to the military and government security services ONLY (!)"

I think you'll be hand-rolling...

Re: Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2016 11:19 pm
by snayperskaya
Virtually zero chance, the Russians only produced it for use in the AKM and AKMS when used with the PBS suppressor and its use dropped off when the 9x39 fully-suppressed VSS Vintorez and AS Val were introduced in around 1987.

The Russian military 7.62x39 subsonic round used a 192-ish grain bullet which had a slightly wider diameter at 7.94mm than the standard 7.92mm 123 grain bullet so it gripped the rifling better.The subsonic ammo is identified by a black tip over a green band.

Re: Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2016 11:35 pm
by Alpha1
You need to re load.

Re: Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 2:25 am
by Dark Skies
snayperskaya wrote:...The subsonic ammo is identified by a black tip over a green band.
Ah! That explains one of the funny looking rounds I picked out of a bunch of regular milsurp. I also have one that has a round nosed bullet that is entirely black - any clues what that might be?

Re: Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 6:23 am
by safetyfirst
Thanks all. I have an AKMS with PBS1 coming to me and making it nice and quiet will be a fun experiment. There are various recipes around and some of them seem to involve seating the bullet backwards in the case to lower case volume.

I'll have a play!

I'm not an expert reloaded and this will be by far the most exotic thing I've done with a press.

Any advice or safety considerations would be most welcome.

Re: Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 6:48 am
by ovenpaa
Most important thing when you start is make sure the bullet has cleared the barrel each time, a visual check or a cleaning rod down the barrel is the only way to be 100% confident.

Re: Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 6:55 am
by Blackstuff
Does anyone have a recipe for this round which would allow it to comply with normal indoor/gallery range MV/ME restrictions?

Re: Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 7:32 am
by DanTheMan
Blackstuff wrote:Does anyone have a recipe for this round which would allow it to comply with normal indoor/gallery range MV/ME restrictions?
I use 6gr Red Dot powder + 140gr lead gas checked bullet, gives you the equivalent to .44 spl ME.

Re: Subsonic 7.62*39 ammo wanted

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 7:54 am
by snayperskaya
Dark Skies wrote:
snayperskaya wrote:...The subsonic ammo is identified by a black tip over a green band.
Ah! That explains one of the funny looking rounds I picked out of a bunch of regular milsurp. I also have one that has a round nosed bullet that is entirely black - any clues what that might be?
East German (DDR) short range light ball, designation was "Patrone M43 UB".....the "Ub" denoted short range.

If it had a pointed black bullet in a copper-washed case it would be a Russian high pressure proof round.

It's worth noting that PBS equipped AKM's were fitted with a special rear sight that could be calibrated for standard ball rounds and subsonic......

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