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5.45 X 39
DIZZY
Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
I would like to hear from anyone who has experience with this cartidge, especially in a bolt rifle. I know they were used in the AK74 and a extremely limited number of bolt rifles made it here before the Clinton import ban.
I would like also to know if there are any barrel makers capable of
making a barrel with this odd bore size.
Thanks.
I would like also to know if there are any barrel makers capable of
making a barrel with this odd bore size.
Thanks.
Comments
They are good guns, mags cost more but they are softer shooting and reliable as can be. They are Romanian so they are not the prettiest AK, but they work.
Once the supply of less expensive surplus ammunition is depleted, you'll be stuck shooting whatever else gets manufactured by the Russians most likely. The supply is finite for the cheap stuff.
Use the search feature in the above right corner and simply type in '5.45 x 39' and you should get several threads on both the rifles and ammunition.
Technical stuff:
Bullet Diameter = .221"
Bullet Weight = ~53 grains (VLD)
Muzzle Velocity = 2950 FPS.
Muzzle Energy = 960 Ft/Lbs.
The sectioned bullet doesn't look too unusual but its construction is a little different. It is an FMJ design but the core is soft steel seated over a small slug of lead in the boattail. Combine this with the airspace at the very tip and you get what amounts to 'yaw' during flight and major instability after minimal 3.5" penetration. There is no fragmentation of the bullet like there is with the 5.56 x 45.
The cases are non-reloadable and use RWS Berdan small pistol primers. Unbeknownst to most, the case is NOT derived from the 7.62 x 39 case. It is smaller in rim and base diameter being 0.394" for both as opposed to 0.445" for the 7.62 x 39. There are some instructions in the link below for making your own brass cases for reloading.
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/ak47ak74/reloading.htm
The East Germans (before the wall came down) manufactured the SSG-82 bolt action sniper rifle which utilized the 5.45 x 39 cartridge. Don't get excited, this was a poorly designed and executed rifle with numerous faults and failures.
I know lots of the members are looking for another Mil-Surp cartridge to use for banging around but this is not the one to get involved with in my opinion. Bullets are basically unavailable although if motivated enough you could use .224" bullets by swaging them down.
Best.
We're getting cheap steel core surplus in right now. That may change since some idiot AK builder/manufacturer is now building 5.45 pistols. Historically the ATF has outlawed the import of steel core surplus ammo that can be fired in a pistol.
On all Wasr10's and AK's in general you need to familiarize yourself with this website:
http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/
On Wasr10's you want to handle the gun before you buy and make sure it doesn't have a canted barrel which will really throw off your accuracy.
Check out this Tutorial on spotting cant:
http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/cant.htm
The site also has a good trouble shooting area:
http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/trouble.htm
On mags, Bulgarian polymers were pretty cheap last year. While I don't have a 5.45 AK, I have 12 5.45 AK mags. Got them for like $5ea last year. Looks like they have gone up.