As the title suggests I was able to inspect and verify that the lot of TulAmmo 7.62x39mm 124gr. Hollow Point I recently purchased uses the Ulyanovsk Machinery Plant 8M3 bullet.
Using two known 8M3 loadings the Saspan 124gr. JHP and the older Wolf 124gr. Military Classic JHP I compared both with the WPA 124 and the TulaAmmo 124gr. JHP.
I pulled all the bullets and checked for the following physical features,
Weight
Length
Hollow point dimensions
Hollow point depth
Heel design
Internal notches in hollow point cavity
First the weight of all the pulled bullets were in the range of 123.9 to 124.7grs.
I was not able to measure exact Bullet lengths do to the battery in my digital caliber going dead but from eying up all four bullets on a level surface the TulAmmo, Saspan and Older Wolf Military Classic had what appeared the same height and profile while the WPA was slightly taller with a sharper angle from base to nose.
Once again I could not measure hollow point dimensions do to a dead battery but the gap for the TulAmmo, Saspan and Older Wolf Military Classic appeared identical with the WPA having a smaller opening.
Hollow Point depth was very close for the TulAmmo, Saspan and Older Wolf Military Classic with no noticeable difference. But the WPA had a hollow point depth almost twice as deep then the other three.
Heel design was identical for the big three being clean and very uniform angled up and in toward center locking in the lead core. The WPA had a flat crude heal which looked like it would bent out on impact and allow the lead core to separate from the jacket.
Internal Notches,
This is the big indicator of identifying the Ulyanovsk Machinery Plant 8M3 bullet. One should be able with a thin metal pin feel three machined notches spaced evenly just inside the hollow point cavity. The notches are pronounced and can be seen with a strong light and a magnifying glass.
The Saspan, Older Wolf Military Classic and the TulAmmo all had the machined notches on the inside jacket wall of the hollow point. So this a lone should verify that the TulAmmo is currently using the Ulyanovsk Machinery Plant 8M3 bullet. The WPA did not have any detectable notches on 20rds inspected and none could be visually seen.
But adding all the other similarities that the TulAmmo 124gr. H/P shares with the Saspan and Wolf M/C its a sure ID in my book. The WPA in my opinion DOES NOT USE the 8M3 bullet so don't be fooled by Internet postings saying other wise.
Now After this I returned to were I purchased the inspected box of TulAmmo and asked if they had any other cases in stock were I could see the lot number and date of manufacture and the Lot number of the inspected bullet was Lot A676 and the date of manufacture was 09/2011.
I purchased the last case they had and everything on the shelve at $5.00 per box of 20rds. These days $5.00 a box is not a bad price especially since this loading has the recommended 8M3 bullet which DocGKR stated was a acceptable 7.62x39mm load.
When able I will shoot this load into some water jugs and wet news print and while this junk testing won't prove much I would like to see what the difference is between the un-notched jacket WPA loading and the TulAmmo JHP's.
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Originally Posted by NC_DAVE
on it way and yes I am being a big pussy about spendin that kinda money on a rifle and then throwing crorrisive ammo down the pipe. I do have an older SAR that i may buy some of that for. 
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