Last reviewed: 2026-04-18 by Jake Terry, FFL07/SOT3, NRA-certified firearms instructor.
For AK and SKS shooters running extended range sessions, Tula 7.62×39 ammo delivers functional reliability at a training-friendly price. This load pushes a 122-grain full metal jacket bullet to 2445 feet per second from a 16-inch barrel, generating enough energy for practical marksmanship drills out to 200 yards. Manufactured at the Ulyanovsk Cartridge Works in Russia, each round uses a polymer-coated steel case and Berdan primer — construction choices that lower production costs without sacrificing ignition consistency. The bimetal jacket pairs a thin copper wash over a steel core, a design that reduces barrel wear compared to bare steel projectiles while maintaining feeding reliability in semi-automatic platforms. You sacrifice case reusability and magnetic range access in exchange for volume-friendly economics.
Performance at a Glance
The 122-grain projectile sits at the lighter end of the 7.62×39 spectrum, where most military and commercial loads range from 120 to 124 grains. Lighter bullets generate less recoil impulse and flatter trajectories inside 300 yards, making this load suitable for newer shooters building trigger discipline on semi-automatic rifles. The polymer coating on the steel case lubricates extraction under rapid-fire conditions, addressing the primary failure mode of uncoated steel — stuck cases in hot chambers. Tula cartridge in plain prose has manufactured steel-cased ammunition since Soviet-era military contracts, refining extraction geometry and primer seating to civilian reliability standards. Non-corrosive propellant and primers mean you can store opened boxes in controlled humidity without accelerating barrel erosion, though immediate post-session cleaning still removes carbon and powder residue effectively.
Fit & Compatibility
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
| Bullet weight | 122 grain |
| Bullet type | Full Metal Jacket (bimetal — copper over steel) |
| Muzzle velocity | 2445 fps |
| Rounds/box | 20 |
| Case | Polymer-coated steel |
| Primer | Berdan (non-reloadable) |
| Corrosive | No |
| Intended use | Training, high-volume practice |
| Manufacturer | Tula Cartridge Works (Ulyanovsk, Russia) |
This load chambers in any SAAMI-spec 7.62x39mm rifle, including Romanian, Chinese, Yugoslav, and Russian AK variants, plus all SKS carbines. Before bulk ordering, confirm your local range permits steel-cased and bimetal-jacketed ammunition — some indoor facilities enforce brass-only policies to simplify lead reclamation, and magnetic backstops may reject bimetal projectiles. Browse our full 7.62×39 ammo selection for brass-case and expanding-bullet options when range rules or hunting applications require them.
Safe Handling & Compliance
Federal law requires purchasers to be at least 18 years old for rifle and shotgun ammunition, and at least 21 for handgun ammunition. Ammunition cannot be shipped to certain states, counties, and cities — review our ammunition shipping restrictions before ordering. Store ammunition in a cool, dry location away from heat sources and out of reach of unauthorized users.
- Observe the four universal rules: treat every firearm as loaded, never point at anything you do not intend to shoot, keep your finger off the trigger until sights are on target, and be certain of your target and what lies beyond it. Learn more at NSSF Firearm Safety Rules.
- Verify current federal, state, and local regulations before purchasing ammunition. Some jurisdictions impose age restrictions, background-check requirements, or outright bans on certain ammunition types.
- Steel cases extract more aggressively than brass when hot — allow your chamber to cool between magazine changes during sustained fire to prevent extraction failures.
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