Hirtenberger Surplus

[Finicky Fat Guy]

7.62x51 NATO 146 grain FMJ Hirtenberger Surplus Ammo 1970s Vintage. Has anyone ever used this stuff? I just picked up the M1A that I've wanted and need to stock up on ammo. This stuff is .50 a round. A web search had a few reports on forums saying that it was either fine or hot. I wondered if you guys had used it.

[class3]

This is is the second best milsurp 7.62 ammo out there, second only to the Australian stuff that came in a decade ago. Buy it cheap and stack it deep. Well, not so cheap, but buy it anyway.

[vmtcmt]

My Rem 700 did not like it too much. Then again, it doesn't seem to like much else besides 168gr -175gr HPBT.

[C6NY]

When I bought my M1A I stockpiled about 1,500 rounds of Hirtenberger along with other surplus brands. Some say it's loaded a bit hotter but my shoulder can't tell the difference and I haven't chronoed it. It shoots straight and haven't had a issue at al with in. I'll buy more down the road.

[Finicky Fat Guy]

Great, so no safety worries? I get a little twitchy sometimes because the first time I bought ammo over the web it was HST (I think) .270 and it was way hot, so I get wary.

Thanks guys.

[class3]

Definitely not for a Remington 700 or bolt gun! It's not super hot but it is a military load designed for full auto usage. Fine in a M1A, FAL, HK91/CETME, etc. If your weapon has an adjustable gas system even better. And reasonably accurate.

[C6NY]

Definitely not for a Remington 700 or bolt gun! It's not super hot but it is a military load designed for full auto usage. Fine in a M1A, FAL, HK91/CETME, etc. If your weapon has an adjustable gas system even better. And reasonably accurate.

Actually 7.62x51 isn't loaded as hot as factory .308 and Military NATO ammo is loaded at a lower pressure then factory loads .308 so its perfectly safe to fire in civilian bolt action rifles. It may not be as accurate due to bullet selections and what not but it's safe and reasonably accurate. Many people use the surplus stuff in their bolt actions and .308 ammo in the M14 variants without issues as the differences are usually very minor. Myself included.

On the other hand, 5.56x45 is loaded hotter then .223 is and not always safe to fire in some .223 weapons.

[vmtcmt]

Actually 7.62x51 isn't loaded as hot as factory .308 and Military NATO ammo is loaded at a lower pressure then factory loads .308 so its perfectly safe to fire in civilian bolt action rifles. It may not be as accurate due to bullet selections and what not but it's safe and reasonably accurate. Many people use the surplus stuff in their bolt actions and .308 ammo in the M14 variants without issues as the differences are usually very minor. Myself included.

On the other hand, 5.56x45 is loaded hotter then .223 is and not always safe to fire in some .223 weapons.

Agreed. I didn't find it loaded too hot. I just chased it around the target.

[class3]

C6NY, I agree it prudent not to fire 7.62 ammo in a .308 but that is due to the slightly different cartridge neck dimensions. Loading pressures are similar for both and slightly lower on the 7.62 side

[M-14BULLETTS]

does it have a circled cross on the headstanp ? I would say not the most accurate of the surplus bunch , i would look for some Portuguese (FNN) Australian or lake city
also shameless plug there is some of this ammo in the for sale area ..

[Finicky Fat Guy]

Turns out the company selling the Hirtenberger doesn't ship to NY so Federal it was, from Target Sports.

[C6NY]

Turns out the company selling the Hirtenberger doesn't ship to NY so Federal it was, from Target Sports.

Heres just one place that has it in stock and ships to NY. They won't ship to your door but a FFL is no problem. there are others also.

http://www.jgsales.com/-p-84618.html

[Finicky Fat Guy]

Heres just one place that has it in stock and ships to NY. They won't ship to your door but a FFL is no problem. there are others also.

http://www.jgsales.com/-p-84618.html

Thanks. This time around I went with Federal from Target Sports. Let's see how fast I go through that 500.