The long for caliber 5.45x39mm ball projectiles were designed with an early yaw cycle. While the 5.45x39mm’s 7N6 “Poison Bullet” earned an enviable reputation during the Soviet’s war in Afghanistan, it’s utterly outclassed by modern expanding 7.62x39mm loads. ![]() There is a wide variety of commercial 7.62x39mm loads available. When it comes to having different flavors to choose from, the 7.62x39mm puts the knuckles to the 5.45x39mm. So, if you like options then the 7.62x39mm is the better pick. Domestic options? There is only one, Hornady’s 60-grain VMAX load. So, you have to properly clean your rifle or it will rust due to the salts in the primers. But, much of the military surplus 7N6 ball ammunition was loaded with corrosive primers. The imported ammunition is steel case from Russia and non-corrosive. There are far fewer options when it comes to 5.45x39mm. 7.62x39mm loads are available in both Berdan primed steel cases and reloadable Boxer primed brass cases.Īdopted by Soviet Army in 1974, the 5.45x39mm is a very good design, but is it the best choice for your average American rifleman? They have developed modern expanding projectiles specifically for this caliber which offer an excellent blend of expansion and penetration for hunting medium size game or personal protection. American companies like Hornady, Federal and Winchester have all done a great deal of design work and experimentation with the 7.62x39mm. Not only do you have a variety of imported FMJ, HP and SP loads to choose from, but there is a host of modern domestic expanding loads as well. When it comes to having different flavors to choose from, again the 7.62x39mm puts the knuckles to the 5.45x39mm. ![]() The 7.62x39mm is hugely popular around the world and it is widely available here in the US from a variety of foreign and domestic manufacturers. So, during ammo shortages it will be easier to find 7.62x39mm than 5.45x39mm. Plus, since 7.62x39mm is so much more popular, during times of panic buying the importers ignore the slower selling cartridges, cough 5.45x39mm, and concentrate on bringing in as many containers of the big sellers, cough 7.62x39mm, as possible. 7.62x39mm is also imported into the US in drastically larger quantities than 5.45x39mm. Domestic 5.45x39mm? You have one load from Hornady to choose from. More than likely they will have multiple offerings.ĥ.45x39mm? Typically it is much harder to find, and you may have to order it online. Any well-stocked gun store will have 7.62x39mm on the shelf. It is not only widely imported from European manufacturers but it is also produced by the major players domestically. ![]() ![]() Since the Chinese first dumped inexpensive 7.62x39mm on American shores this caliber has taken off in popularity. AvailabilityĪmmunition availability is a big deal for your average shooter, and here the 7.62x39mm easily trounces the 5.45x39mm. Here’s a comparison between the two cartridges, the more modern 5.45x39mm on the left and the older World War II vintage 7.62x39mm on the right. Here are five reasons why I suggest buying a 7.62x39mm over a 5.45x39mm. However, that being said, for your average American rifleman the 7.62x39mm makes much more sense. What might be right for one may not be right for another. A question I am frequently asked by fans of the Kalashnikov rifle is, “Which caliber is better, 7.62x39mm or 5.45x39mm?” This is actually a hard question to answer as it comes down to an individual’s personal needs and desires.
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