Ulyanovsk 122 grain HP

[jimmyp]

the very shallow (0.1 inch deep with pin gauge) steel HP of 122 grains looks like it might be more prone to upset than many traditional 7.62 x 38 bullets. Is there a gelatin test or any other information surrounding this bullet?

[DocGKR]

The only Ulyanovsk Machinery Plant 7.62x39mm projectile we have tested is the Saspan 124 gr JHP (8M3 bullet). From a 16” AKMS the data is:

BG: vel=2297 f/s, pen=15.0”, Max TC=10cm@18cm, RD=0.63”, RW=100.5gr"

[jimmyp]

thank you this is probably not the same bullet as its clearly marked 122 grains.

[PA PATRIOT]

The only Ulyanovsk Machinery Plant 7.62x39mm projectile we have tested is the Saspan 124 gr JHP (8M3 bullet). From a 16” AKMS the data is:

BG: vel=2297 f/s, pen=15.0”, Max TC=10cm@18cm, RD=0.63”, RW=100.5gr"

DocGKR,

I see vendors at gun show claiming to sell this loading but how can we identify if the loading has the (8M3 bullet)? I took a chance and picked up a few cases of Sapsan 124gr HP LCB (Cheap) and could not find a lot number anywhere on the case or individual boxes. The boxes are green in color and have a falcon or hawk printed on the top of the box and has a UPC on the side of 4 602514 000017. I checked and a magnet will attach to the nose of the bullet and the steel case is sealed at the primer and neck. There is no year stamp on the rim of the brass just the caliber and Ulyanovsk Machinery plant seal.

[Fail-Safe]

Sapsan came in the "birdie box" and a blue and white striped box. Later on it was in the Wolf Military Classic line.

[Zhukov]

DocGKR,

I see vendors at gun show claiming to sell this loading but how can we identify if the loading has the (8M3 bullet)? I took a chance and picked up a few cases of Sapsan 124gr HP LCB (Cheap) and could not find a lot number anywhere on the case or individual boxes. The boxes are green in color and have a falcon or hawk printed on the top of the box and has a UPC on the side of 4 602514 000017. I checked and a magnet will attach to the nose of the bullet and the steel case is sealed at the primer and neck. There is no year stamp on the rim of the brass just the caliber and Ulyanovsk Machinery plant seal.

I'm pretty sure there's no way to tell. The 8M3 design was probably a fluke, as the Russian ammo manufacturers have never tried to design a fragmenting bullet for the mass market. Furthermore, they constantly muck with the components, so who knows what you're getting nowadays.

[Fail-Safe]

Actually UMP did design it to have some frag to it.

[PA PATRIOT]

Was the 8M3 a copper or bi-metal bullet?

[Fail-Safe]

Bi-metal. However UMP did a lot of scoring on the inside of the jacket. Somewhere there's a picture of an 8M3 bullet dissected and you can see them.

[tpd223]

I know for a fact that this same bullet is, or at least was since I haven't checked in awhile, what they were using in the Wolf "Military Classic" line of ammo.