7.62x39 ammo

7.62×39 ammo is the cartridge that feeds the AK-47, SKS, and a growing field of AR-pattern and bolt rifles — a stubby, hard-hitting .311-inch round designed for reliable, close-to-medium-range work. It earned its reputation on durability and punch, delivering roughly .30-30-class energy from rugged rifles that run in any conditions. This page covers what sets 7.62×39 apart: case materials, the corrosive-ammo question, how it compares to .308 and .300 Blackout, and where prices stand today.

Tatted Tacticals stocks 7.62×39 in steel-case range ammo and brass-case loads from makers like Wolf, Tula, PPU, Federal, and Hornady — FMJ for volume shooting and soft-point and hollow-point for hunting, in boxes, cans, and bulk.

Steel Case, Brass Case, and Corrosive Ammo

Most affordable 7.62×39 is steel-cased and polymer-coated — cheap, reliable in AK-pattern rifles, but not reloadable and harder on extractors over very high round counts. Brass-cased loads cost more, run cleaner, and can be reloaded. The other thing to know: some imported military-surplus 7.62×39 uses corrosive primers, which require same-day cleaning to prevent rust. Modern commercial ammo from Wolf, Tula, PPU, and the U.S. makers is non-corrosive — check the box if you’re buying surplus.

7.62×39 vs. .308 and .300 Blackout

A common mix-up: 7.62×39 is not the same as .308 Winchester (7.62×51). They share a rough bullet diameter but the .308 is far more powerful and longer-ranged. The closer modern comparison is .300 Blackout, which delivers similar ballistics from the AR-15 platform with easier suppression and better ammo selection — at a higher price. The 7.62×39’s edge remains rock-bottom cost per round and AK reliability. Shooters also cross-shop the 5.45×39 and .223.

Rifles: AK, SKS, and AR

The 7.62×39 was born in the AK and SKS, and those remain its natural homes — loose-tolerance, reliable rifles that thrive on steel-case ammo. It’s also offered in AR-pattern rifles (with the right magazines and bolt), the Ruger Mini-30, and CZ bolt guns. For hunting, choose brass-case soft points; for plinking, steel-case FMJ is hard to beat on price. See our 7.62×39 ballistic data for load-by-load numbers.

Availability and Price

For years 7.62×39 was the cheapest centerfire rifle ammo on the shelf, fueled by inexpensive Russian imports. A 2021 federal ban on new Russian ammunition imports tightened that supply and pushed prices up, though production from other countries and U.S. makers keeps it available. Buying steel-case by the case or spam can when prices are good is the simplest way to keep cost down. At a maximum pressure set by SAAMI specifications, it remains an efficient, affordable rifle round.

Buying 7.62×39

Federal law sets the minimum age for rifle ammunition at 18; some states and cities add restrictions, so per ATF guidance, confirm federal rules and review our ammunition shipping rules and state restrictions before ordering.

7.62×39 Ammo — Frequently Asked Questions

Is 7.62×39 ammo still banned?

The cartridge itself is fully legal to own and shoot in most states. What changed is imports: a 2021 federal action halted new import permits for Russian-made ammunition, reducing the cheapest supply. Plenty of 7.62×39 is still produced elsewhere and in the U.S., so it remains widely available, just at higher prices than the Russian-import era.

What caliber is 7.62×39 equal to?

In performance, 7.62×39 is most often compared to the .30-30 Winchester — similar bullet weight, energy, and effective range out to about 150–200 yards. It fires a .311-inch bullet. It is not equal to .308 Winchester, which is significantly more powerful, despite the similar “7.62” label.

Are .308 and 7.62×39 the same?

No. They share a rough bullet diameter but are entirely different cartridges. The .308 Winchester (7.62×51 NATO) is longer, far more powerful, and effective to much greater range, while 7.62×39 is a shorter, lower-pressure round built for the AK and SKS. They are not interchangeable in any rifle.

Is 7.62×39 ammo corrosive?

Modern commercial 7.62×39 from makers like Wolf, Tula, PPU, Federal, and Hornady is non-corrosive. Only some older imported military-surplus ammo uses corrosive primers, which require prompt cleaning to prevent rust. If you’re buying current production rather than surplus, it’s non-corrosive — the box will say so.

Can you buy 7.62×39 ammo online?

Yes. In most U.S. states you can buy 7.62×39 online and have it shipped to your door. The minimum age for rifle ammunition is 18, and some states and municipalities add restrictions or shipping limits, so confirm your state and local laws before ordering.