The specs on the box say Tula is steel cased and Russian.

Back some time ago, I bought a few boxes of Russian "Wolf" 7,62x39mm steel cased cartridges, did an experiment and found Wolf was very sensitive to humidity.

One box of DWM 403 made in 1930s (20 rounds) and one box of newly made Wolf (also 20 rounds) were left in basement for a month in summer. Later in range, DWM still fired without any issue, but 4 rounds from Wolf box (20%) misfired from SKS. Obviously, there is a big qualify difference. But, that's Wolf, not Tula.

I've been using the web site www.ammoseek.com lately and have found some good deals on primers and loaded ammunition. It's a search engine for ammo. Check often because it updates every couple hours.
Marc

Besides "ammoseek", I would also recommend "gunbot" for ammo and components.

http://www.gunbot.net/

I purchase most of my reloading components(primers and powder) in bulk from Powder Valley. They are so out of everything, and backodered, that 2 months ago they stopped accepting any backorders. They are 1-2 months behind on shipping out the orders that they have product to fill.

I got bit with the first election of Obummer as far as reloading components. That taught me a lesson. Once things settled down, and prices got back to normal, I made a couple of sizable orders from PV, and also my bullet suppliers. When the crap occurred again after the last election, I was/am in great shape.

I may be "senior", but I can still learn!!

ammo boycott
 

I found a heck of a deal all matching original mosin carbine with bayonet in 762x54 today. No 9mm within 200 miles though :(

I was in a local shop recently, when a very well known dealer came in making his usual monthly rounds of the gun shops. He had a very lucrative shop in another town, but has since sold it and now travels the gun show circuit in the western half of the country.

I over heard him telling the shop owner that he loved the anti-gun scare because he could double and often triple his money by selling at the shows.

As I said, this dealer is well known. Well known for not being the most honest, or scrupulous dealer in the state. He proceeded to brag about how he and a friend had worked out an understanding with a large ammo distributor to be at the top of the list for ammo and primers. Mainly .22 LR, 9mm, 40 S&W, .223 ammo, any and all primers he could get.

He specifically stated that he could get a 500 round brick of .22 LR for $35 to $40 on a good day , and sell everything he could get for $150 a brick at gun shows. He claimed he would sell out within the first few hours of the show.

Paranoia and unfounded rumors are a powerful money maker for those who use it to their advantage.

Paranoia and unfounded rumors, AND STOOPID PEEPS, are a powerful money maker for those who use it to their advantage.

Visited another store. They had some good stuffs. The price of 20-round PMC .223REM is still high, $8.95 per box. There are a few Ruger Ranch rifles. The NIB Ruger with blue steel barrel and black synthetic stock configuration looks very pretty, asking $709... almost returned to normal level. The only drawback is 10-round magazines. No solution for that. Preban Ruger magazines are rare here.

Is that a variation of the Mini-14 in .223??? I have one of those in my safe (but not the 'ranch'), bought new 20+ years ago, wood stock, unfired...I bought it to make a bullpup out of it, haven't got to it yet...I think the box is still in the attic somewhere...If the squirrels haven't got to it... :p

I did buy a couple 20 rd mags for it; cheap steel ones...I might even have a 30 somewhere...[see note on squirrels above]... :D

I was somewhat disappointed on the 'cheapness' of it (in comparison with an M14/M1A)... :(

Yes. Ranch Rifle is a variation of Mini-14. Much better than those newly made M1 carbine from Auto Ordnance.

IF you are really really desperate you can make your own primer - take the old primer apart that is take the "anvil" out and in that cap place one of those paper caps the children use in cap-guns - be sure to trim it nicely and place it in the cap and then place the anvil back in place where it was - with needle nose pliers try to crimp it very gently - keep your fingers crossed - reload and test it. Not a 100% but in a 95% range reliability- BUT IF NOTHING ELSE ???

Back when I first posted this, I was looking for 22 Target ammunition for plinking...Not 'Hi-Velocity'...

No one had any...I signed the notification list at Midway... :(

Today at 9:19pm I got a notification that it was back in stock...I was in the shower...I got to thir web site at 9:40pm...This is what I was greeted with... :grr:

well, at least some is showing up.

well fellows, this is what went on at gander mountain until they caught the sob's......the shipping/receiving clerks would get the notice of incoming supply, call their buddies, they would be standing at the ammo area as it was wheeled out, load it in a cart, and clean off the shelves before it even went on the shelf.....
the same ammo was then taken to the weekend gun shows at a hefty mark-up......the clerks got caught and were shown the door by gander..........i was in favor of charges being filed but gander did not want the negative publicity......

this was posted 4 days ago on an Indiana web site....


"Lafayette Rural King

My boss came to me yesterday and told me that we will be getting a shipment of 22Lr ammo, 9mm, 40mm, and 45 target loads on Monday. We get 5 trucks a week and only 1 has ammo on it. In a week or two all tree stands will be 50% off. We have the new Sig Sauer P226 MK25 for $999.99, Its probably are hottest seller right now besides the Rough Rider 22Lr Revolver at $109.99 but out of stock right now. If you want to know if we have anything or a price or up coming sales before the public knows about it then just ask me. Thank you. "


larceny is alive and well..........

Skye -

I missed this when it was posted...I'm always looking at/fabricating old carbines (I have an 1891 Argentine carbine being fabricated this weekend)...How long is that Nagant barrel???

M44


20 1/4"
51.4 cm.

Shortages
 

Around here the primers have pretty much come back as well as most of the ammo, except .380 and .22 LR. Since I can make my own (other than .22), it hasn't been as much of a hardship for me. But I'm still more than ready for it to be over. KW

Herters brass loaded ammo that I looked at the other day at Cabelas was made by S&B. Said so on the box so I figure that it is probably pretty good ammo.