Thought I'd get green spam cans...instead...what is this?

[raindog]

Bought a crate of 7.62x54R from an online vendor. Was expecting the familiar pair of green spam cans with an opener.

Instead, I got a very beat up crate (screws falling out) and inside were two cans and no opener. The cans were covered in some kind of white residue. Any idea what that is?

I carved one open and the rounds inside looked OK, though I haven't fired any yet.

This is represented to be Russian surplus...I guess I have no reason to think it's anything else but it's sure different than the familiar green spam cans.

The ammo appears to say "188" and "K" on the headstamp, and has a silver tip. Unlike the guide, the markings are on the outside of the rim, not the inside.

Here are some pics...

Information

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[Stevo]

It is Russian. The Cyrillic "K" indicates 1956 production and that's why it's in the older WW II-type packaging.

The white residue is from oxidization of the galvanized containers.

[browningautorifle]

Don't worry about the ammo, I think it's AP...should work fine. Maybe corrosive...

[bearrowland]

Those crates are great! Lots of character to them

[fernleaf]

Its not AP - its steel cored ammo (which is what the silver tip indicates , and its only very mild steel that has no armour piercing capability) . Definitely corrosive.

[GUNZABLAZIN]

Doesn't a Silver tip mean Light Ball, 147 grain bullet, Yellow Tip means Heavy Ball, 182 grain bullet. The 188 is the factory in Russia.

[fernleaf]

No colour means Light Ball, Silver means Steel Core Light Ball, Yellow means Heavy Ball, Silver and Yellow (only made by Hungary) means Steel Core Heavy Ball.

EDIT: Green is Tracer, Black is Armour Piercing, Red is Incendiary, Red and Black is Armour Piercing Incendiary...

[jmoore]

The upside to corrosive primed ammo is that the primers are more stable, so old ammo like this is more reliable. It's one of the biggest reasons it lingered as long as it has. Long shelf life!