Cartridge Size Problem

1677 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by kaido, Mar 22, 2013

starving030

Discussion Starter · Mar 22, 2013 (Edited)

Mystery solved!! I got sold some mil surp 54R by mistake and I didn't catch it.

Ok. So my AK-47 has stumped me once again. The chamber looked way to small for a 7.62 and I happened to have some 5.45 sitting in a box in the basement. So, I decided to check the muzzle end and it would only go in a little. So I turn the barrel around and tried the other end. It wouldn't go in passed the shelf I think it's called? The widest part of the taper on the case. Also, the bolt is way to small for the 5.45. All I can think of is this AK got re-chambered?

Any ideas?

I'm gonna try to find a smith somewhere. I live in the boonies so it's not going to be easy.

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Jpyle

· #2 · Mar 22, 2013

starving030 said:
Ok. So my AK-47 has stumped me once again. The chamber looked way to small for a 7.62 and I happened to have some 5.45 sitting in a box in the basement. So, I decided to check the muzzle end and it would only go in a little. So I turn the barrel around and tried the other end. It wouldn't go in passed the shelf I think it's called? The widest part of the taper on the case. Also, the bolt is way to small for the 5.45. All I can think of is this AK got re-chambered?

Any ideas?

I'm gonna try to find a smith somewhere. I live in the boonies so it's not going to be easy.

Unless you know for certain what you have the only safe option is to have a gunsmith cast the chamber and determine the caliber. What caliber is it supposed to be, have you ever shot the rifle, is it a .22lr AK clone? really no way anyone can answer any questions. Can you post a pic of the complete rifle, is it an AK 47 or and AK 74?

kaido

· #3 · Mar 22, 2013

This is a long shot, but maybe see if a .223 chambers? I know some SKSs have been set up to fire that round, but I've no idea about any AKs being set up to do so.

Jstrong

· #4 · Mar 22, 2013

Are you sure that's 5.45x39? Bc I'm fairly sure the round in your pictures is not.

Looks to me like your trying to load a rimmed 7.62x54r into an AK chambered for 7.62x39

The x54r is a much higher power (bigger) round made for bolt action soviet rifles and SVD's as opposed to the intermediate x39 cartridge which is not rimmed and is smaller.

Axxe55

· #5 · Mar 22, 2013

what are the barrel markings? is there any chance it's been rebarreled in a different caliber?

most barrels have the cartridge size marked on them.

starving030

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 22, 2013

It's currently disassembled. I have never fired it before. The barrel trunnion is marked M70AB2 1988. Also marked I believe a serial number 446022. There is a letter Z randomly marked near the model number as well. I was told that it was a Yugo Underfolder.

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starving030

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 22, 2013

axxe55 said:
what are the barrel markings? is there any chance it's been rebarreled in a different caliber?

most barrels have the cartridge size marked on them.

Where should I look? I have looked a couple of times but haven't seen anything. Is there a specific place it could be hiding?

nitestalker

· #8 · Mar 22, 2013

You have as already posted a 7.62 X 54r used in the Mosin-Nagant rifle. You should have a 7.62X39 Ctg. for your AKM-47 rifle.

kaido

· #9 · Mar 22, 2013

starving030 said:
Where should I look? I have looked a couple of times but haven't seen anything. Is there a specific place it could be hiding?

On all my rifles their marked about mid way up the left hand side of the barrel. I don't know if AKs would by marked in the same area, but it's a good spot to check.

Might sound a little silly.....but since you said your gun is disassembled, any chance you could post a picture of the round your trying to chamber? It does look a little like a 7.62x54R.

Jstrong

· #10 · Mar 22, 2013

Looking at the pictures again I'm fairly certain you have what you think is a 5.45x39 confused with what is actually 7.62x54.

I can clearly make out a rim on the cartridge you pictured,and its not shaped right for a 5.45.

I think your worrying yourself over nothing dude. If it came with regular AK mags I'd be willing to bet its a plain ole' yugo AK that shoots x39

starving030

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 22, 2013 (Edited)

kaido said:
Might sound a little silly.....but since you said your gun is disassembled, any chance you could post a picture of the round your trying to chamber? It does look a little like a 7.62x54R.

No it's not silly at all. - Hand to Forehead- I did look it up online and it is a 54R. The package isn't labeled and I just opened it up to do the check. I guess you don't get what you ask for.lol

Maybe they'll take them back up at the shop. They sold me the wrong ones.

Thanks for the help folks. I'm going to hide in the corner from embarrassment now for not catching the rimmed case myself.

kaido

· #12 · Mar 22, 2013

starving030 said:
No it's not silly at all. - Hand to Forehead- I did look it up online and it is a 54R. The package isn't labeled and I just opened it up to do the check. I guess you don't get what you ask for.lol

Maybe they'll take them back up at the shop. They sold me the wrong ones.

Well.....personally I'd just go out and buy a Mosin-Nagant instead of returning the ammunition. You might also be able to trade someone in your area as well. But I'd try to trade after seeing wether or not the shop will do the switch.

c3shooter

· #13 · Mar 22, 2013

STOP.

As has been said, you have the WRONG AMMO.

Below are two rounds. On the left, 7.62x54 Rimmed. This is for the bolt action Moisin/ Nagant rifle. The OTHER is 7.62x39. Shorter, no rim, much less powerful, and intended for the SKS and the AK-47 rifle.

Ammunition Bullet Gun accessory Cone Office supplies

This is NOT a slam- we need all the gun owners we can get- and we cannot afford to lose any of them. Lack of knowledge here can get you hurt. You REALLY need some hands-on guidance from an experienced shooter or gunsmith. There may be some of us in the area where you are. Talk to us, and reach out, my brother.

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Tackleberry1

· #14 · Mar 22, 2013

starving030 said:
Where should I look? I have looked a couple of times but haven't seen anything. Is there a specific place it could be hiding?

My CAI AK also has no caliber markings on the barrel. My receiver is stamped 7.62 x 39

Double check your 7.62... I too think the round in your pics looks much longer and wonder if you did not accidentally buy 7.62 x 54.

Did you try the ammo in your AK Mag? 7.62 x 54 would not fit in the mag let alone the chamber.

Tack

Jstrong

· #15 · Mar 22, 2013

kaido said:
Well.....personally I'd just go out and buy a Mosin-Nagant instead of returning the ammunition. You might also be able to trade someone in your area as well. But I'd try to trade after seeing wether or not the shop will do the switch.

Most excellent idea there kaido,I second this notion!

Lol I know some mosiholics that would love to have an excuse half as reasonable as "got some spare x54r laying around" to go out and buy another mosinz

starving030

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 22, 2013

kaido said:
Well.....personally I'd just go out and buy a Mosin-Nagant instead of returning the ammunition. You might also be able to trade someone in your area as well. But I'd try to trade after seeing wether or not the shop will do the switch.

That's kinda funny. Wife saw a Mosin at the gun show a couple weeks ago and wanted me to get one. It must be my destiny to own one after all.hahaha

kaido

· #17 · Mar 22, 2013

Haha well there you go, all the more reason to pick one up. I want one for a few reason.....I think the biggest one is to bug my girlfriend. We shot one during the summer and with out the bayonet, she was barely taller then it. Once we added the bayonet, she was, no word of a lie, close to a foot shorter then it.

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