PPU is great, since they cover a ton of obscure calibers as well, and are still fairly affordable. Would otherwise be tough to keep half of my collection fed without reloading for them. Pretty much the only option here in Austria if one doesn't want to search for small batches of surplus.
I love PPU; I bought about 60 rounds of 8mm Lebel from them not too long ago for my R35 Lebel for about $50 USD plus shipping and taxes, and it’s so much nicer than the modified .348 Winchester rounds I had been using.
I bought a Type 99 to add to my collection and learned this lesson the hard way, it's the only rifle ever made that uses 7.7X58mm. New factory ammo does exist, but you have to know where to look.
My first surplus was an SKS. Then I went all stupid and bought a VZ52. I also got well over a hundred rounds of 7.62X45, but since it's super hard to find, I may not shoot it. But dang, it sure is nice.
Not exactly a great tip but when I get an "odd" caliber weapon I buy the ammo for it in bulk if possible. Odds are I'll never shoot that much through it and if I for whatever reason I sell it the ammo can add more value to it. I almost never have to worry about finding ammo that way. Not exactly a money saving option but can help in the long run if you're able to do it.
Love my Elmer Keith stamped M1917.......too bad all the retail stores around me have basically stopped selling the super cheap ammo. Oh well, good thing I've been supporting local gun shops for years.
I am a reloader & make my own ammo, I rarely buy commercial ammo. I make 7MM & 8MM Mauser out of 30-06 brass casings. It's not difficult to reshape the brass using a good solid D-Press. I also do 7.62x54R, .303 Enfield, 5.56/.223, .45-70, .30 Carbine & 9MM Luger. I buy 7.62x39 steel case because it's cheap so I don't reload that.
I only order from SG.Placed an order from SG amo late on Thursday night few weeks ago. Received TWO emails apologizing for delays due to higher than normal demand delaying shipping times. Shipping confirmation came at 10 am friday. A spam can of .33 cent/sks rounds, half a can of mosin and 500 rounds for a variety of other guns is at the door monday morning .Customer service and at great price! Now compare that to going to walmart for amo. lol
Great video Mike! I really like the format of you came up with of different guns and the availability of the ammo. For a lot of us it could be the second reason why we purchase military surplus rifles. I look forward to the next three you do like this and the three after that. Maybe one on hand guns too?
I live in California and at the Walmarts here, they actually cardy 7.62x54r almost all the time, I pretty much only get it from Walmart. They charge about $12 for a box of 20 in steel case.
I love "Outdoor Limited" Often the best and fastest shipping for me and great base cost for the steel cased ammo I use. 20$ shipping for a case of 1000 rounds, for example is very good.
If you are able, reloading is a great option. I started off reloading .303 and now have a pretty decent setup where i load for most of my surplus rifles/firearms in general. Its really nice shooting 7.35 carcano, 8mm, .303 etc for 40-50 cpr. Thats what 5.56 is going for nowadays. (Which you can reload for about 20-25 cpr) You definitely need a lot of time and know-how though.
Yeah I will be making a video on that. I wouldn't recommend it for a newbie, which is why I said the more common calibers are best to start out with to get familiar with it. Plus reloading equipment, provided you have the space to do so, also gets pricey.
as an Australian i cannot purchase half of the guns that amerca has i dont have a firearm nor have i ever shot one but i like learning about all guns thank you mike love from Aus (no homo)
My first (and only so far) surplus rifle was a Finn M39. I thought it was a good balance of available ammo, and quality rifle. I've had more surplus handguns since they seem to still have decent deals sometimes.
Model of 1917’s prices have gone insane eddystone’s are 800 plus with Remington and Winchester 1000-1200 range, but then again is was the best rifle of WWI 🤷♀️
Hey Mike, don't know if you have covered this in a previous video but I've heard that modern commercial 30-06 is just a tad too hot pressure wise for historical rifles. (M1 Garand, 1903 Springfield, etc) Don't know if it's just Boomer/Fudd Lore, would love to hear your input.
I think than Ian and Karl at InRangeTV made a video a while ago testing out commercial ammo in an M1 Garand. Never watched it but it’s definitely out there and not hard to find if you want. Hope it contains the answers to your questions.
Garand yes . The upprod is known to bend or break with commercial. Stick with 147 grn at 2750 fps. The 1903 is generally safe with commercial stuff. M1 garand no so much.
From my research, that is correct for all but the 1917, which is able to fire anything (Best receiver ever made, according to my gunsmith.). Garandgear.com has some info. I use their Gas Plug which expands the gas tube to lower the pressure in my M1. www.garandgear.com/m1-garand-ammunition. PPU makes lower pressure M1 30.06, which I use in conjunction with the gas plug.
I picked up a few boxes at my LGS the other day for $14/box of 20. While the panic buying cleared out the usual suspects (5.56, 9mm, .45, etc), all the harder to find milsurp ammo was plentiful!
Got a Hungarian 35M in 8X56R same as M95 Mannlicher conversions. Ammo is about $1 a round from PPU at the current moment & then SGammo is the only place that has newly made ammo. Either way great gun but I just won't shoot it as much.
*Cries in krag ammo price * My advice, of you get a garand and wanna shoot it buy an after market plug, its saves alot of money and you can shoot any rounds woth a little set up
$700-$800 for an M1917? I paid about $1200 for mine a few months back because the only ones I could find in that price range were sporterized ones (not complaining too much though, I'm still really happy with my purchase).
@Xray Paul I seriously looked into a few sporterized options, but found that if I wanted to get all original wood, screws, barrel bands, and sling swivels to return it to its military configuration it would have ended up costing me the same, if not more.
@@lol500000 Oof indeed in that case, too bad for me none of the gun stores in my area had one (I legit spent well over 2 weeks going to different gun stores almost every day to look), and all the gun shows were canceled due to corona. Side note, love your War Thunder content man, I've been subbed to your channel for a while now, keep it up.
Good luck, not to get you down but if its want nazi markings, get ready to pay the big bucks, and avoid the shit ones, you just gotta get that one pawn shop or that son who isn't into guns to get it faor price
Do you think reloading is something worth getting into if you have surpluses? My friends both have random Mauser clones and they either take like 8mm or 7 something Swedish and from what they tell me it’s rare to find. I’m glad I got my Enfield (even if it’s a sporter) .303 isn’t too hard to find.
8mm Mauser is pretty much ~35 a box so with that just go Hornady. But I did pick up a few boxes of surplus light ball at my last gun show for 6 a box of 15 .... Don't know country or date because it's Arabic but isn't masri or Farsi.
I find that the cost of some milsurps is inversely proportionate to the availability of the cartridge. There’s a really cheap Swiss Vetterli and Dutch Hemburg Mannlicher at my LGS because no one makes those cartridges
Since you brought it up, how expensive is 7mm Mauser? I've noticed that Spanish Mausers chambered in it aren't creeping up as much as 8mm Mauser variants.
#truth Won't lie my current surplus is similar to what is like Mosin Sks 1903 And spanish mauser 7mm Surprised that 7mm isn't that bad. Lgs still has all the ammo I want. Even 32acp and makarov. Nice selection.
Great folks at SG Ammo.
Yes! I used to use luckygunner but I had some customer service issues. Made the switch 7-some years ago and haven't looked back.
PPU is great, since they cover a ton of obscure calibers as well, and are still fairly affordable. Would otherwise be tough to keep half of my collection fed without reloading for them. Pretty much the only option here in Austria if one doesn't want to search for small batches of surplus.
I love PPU; I bought about 60 rounds of 8mm Lebel from them not too long ago for my R35 Lebel for about $50 USD plus shipping and taxes, and it’s so much nicer than the modified .348 Winchester rounds I had been using.
I hope I'm not speaking for myself but we love this series!
Is that the 1917 you absconded off of my property with all those years back? Kicking myself for selling mine.
Fuck yes it is. Still shoots like a dream.
A fine receiver. Kicks like a...............
I bought a Type 99 to add to my collection and learned this lesson the hard way, it's the only rifle ever made that uses 7.7X58mm. New factory ammo does exist, but you have to know where to look.
I'm glad 7.5x55 swiss is being produced again, still expensive but at least its available
My first surplus was an SKS. Then I went all stupid and bought a VZ52. I also got well over a hundred rounds of 7.62X45, but since it's super hard to find, I may not shoot it. But dang, it sure is nice.
Not exactly a great tip but when I get an "odd" caliber weapon I buy the ammo for it in bulk if possible. Odds are I'll never shoot that much through it and if I for whatever reason I sell it the ammo can add more value to it. I almost never have to worry about finding ammo that way. Not exactly a money saving option but can help in the long run if you're able to do it.
Love my Elmer Keith stamped M1917.......too bad all the retail stores around me have basically stopped selling the super cheap ammo. Oh well, good thing I've been supporting local gun shops for years.
I am a reloader & make my own ammo, I rarely buy commercial ammo. I make 7MM & 8MM Mauser out of 30-06 brass casings. It's not difficult to reshape the brass using a good solid D-Press.
I also do 7.62x54R, .303 Enfield, 5.56/.223, .45-70, .30 Carbine & 9MM Luger. I buy 7.62x39 steel case because it's cheap so I don't reload that.
I only order from SG.Placed an order from SG amo late on Thursday night few weeks ago. Received TWO emails apologizing for delays due to higher than normal demand delaying shipping times. Shipping confirmation came at 10 am friday. A spam can of .33 cent/sks rounds, half a can of mosin and 500 rounds for a variety of other guns is at the door monday morning .Customer service and at great price! Now compare that to going to walmart for amo. lol
Great video Mike! I really like the format of you came up with of different guns and the availability of the ammo. For a lot of us it could be the second reason why we purchase military surplus rifles. I look forward to the next three you do like this and the three after that. Maybe one on hand guns too?
I live in California and at the Walmarts here, they actually cardy 7.62x54r almost all the time, I pretty much only get it from Walmart. They charge about $12 for a box of 20 in steel case.
I bought a Molot Vepr in 7.62x54R because of the abundant surplus ammo.
Kinda with I had a M1A now.
For most of them reloading is the way to go, Hornady .311/.312 FMJBT works for .303, 7.62x54r and 7.7x58
SG Ammo is the only place I'll purchase my ammunition from now on
Family run....me too.
I love "Outdoor Limited" Often the best and fastest shipping for me and great base cost for the steel cased ammo I use. 20$ shipping for a case of 1000 rounds, for example is very good.
I use them and also selway armory for weird calibers. Selway actually has a bit more, but seems more expensive generally
it's the only place I can find ammo
Sgammo was the place to buy at till they started implementing state sales tax
If you are able, reloading is a great option. I started off reloading .303 and now have a pretty decent setup where i load for most of my surplus rifles/firearms in general. Its really nice shooting 7.35 carcano, 8mm, .303 etc for 40-50 cpr. Thats what 5.56 is going for nowadays. (Which you can reload for about 20-25 cpr) You definitely need a lot of time and know-how though.
Yeah I will be making a video on that. I wouldn't recommend it for a newbie, which is why I said the more common calibers are best to start out with to get familiar with it. Plus reloading equipment, provided you have the space to do so, also gets pricey.
PPU is indeed Serbian. It's a solid manufacturer.
Accurate M1 ammo.
I grab a few boxes of 30/40 Krag when i see it. Able to reload the cases too. Own a Springfield model 1898
I like this series tbh
*Cries in lack of 7.7x58mm options *
as an Australian i cannot purchase half of the guns that amerca has i dont have a firearm nor have i ever shot one but i like learning about all guns thank you mike love from Aus (no homo)
My first (and only so far) surplus rifle was a Finn M39. I thought it was a good balance of available ammo, and quality rifle. I've had more surplus handguns since they seem to still have decent deals sometimes.
Could’ve used this talk before I picked up a Turkish Mauser and a Carcano in an estate sale...
Model of 1917’s prices have gone insane eddystone’s are 800 plus with Remington and Winchester 1000-1200 range, but then again is was the best rifle of WWI 🤷♀️
I bought a M1917 Enfield in 1997 was $130. My buddy bought one last month was $800, so yeah they have went up in price.
Hey Mike, don't know if you have covered this in a previous video but I've heard that modern commercial 30-06 is just a tad too hot pressure wise for historical rifles. (M1 Garand, 1903 Springfield, etc) Don't know if it's just Boomer/Fudd Lore, would love to hear your input.
I think than Ian and Karl at InRangeTV made a video a while ago testing out commercial ammo in an M1 Garand. Never watched it but it’s definitely out there and not hard to find if you want. Hope it contains the answers to your questions.
Garand yes . The upprod is known to bend or break with commercial. Stick with 147 grn at 2750 fps. The 1903 is generally safe with commercial stuff. M1 garand no so much.
From my research, that is correct for all but the 1917, which is able to fire anything (Best receiver ever made, according to my gunsmith.).
Garandgear.com has some info. I use their Gas Plug which expands the gas tube to lower the pressure in my M1. www.garandgear.com/m1-garand-ammunition.
PPU makes lower pressure M1 30.06, which I use in conjunction with the gas plug.
It is. Watch this. th-cam.com/video/ZQ_F1riBth8/w-d-xo.html
YEP BLEW MY ORGINAL PLUG LOOSE AND IT FLEW OFF, had straight pull M1, got an aftermarket and can run simple all the way to bear hunting rounds
Yes ammo availability for my type 99 -7.7
My 7.35 Carcano , my French MAS & my
K-31 is a little hard to find
Friendly PSA, if anyone is looking for 8X57, Ventura Munitions has a shit ton of it.
Ammo cost and availability is the main reason why I don't have an Arisaka yet
If you have access to the necessary tools, I've seen people modify .30-06 casings to 7.7mm to work in the the Arisaka.
Thoughts on Mannlicher M95/30?
I’d like to get my hands on another Mosin Nagant. I should have never sod it. I’ve still got lots of ammo for it.
I recon that 8mm Lebel is also a cartidge that hard to find
Wish surplus 303 British was easier to find
I picked up a few boxes at my LGS the other day for $14/box of 20. While the panic buying cleared out the usual suspects (5.56, 9mm, .45, etc), all the harder to find milsurp ammo was plentiful!
PPU shoots well in all of my Enfields and is reasonably priced. Liberty Tree has many odd ball ammos
My first milsurp is a Mosin. My second is a berthier. And then another Mosin. 😅😅 Watch out folks it's an addiction!
Got a Hungarian 35M in 8X56R same as M95 Mannlicher conversions. Ammo is about $1 a round from PPU at the current moment & then SGammo is the only place that has newly made ammo. Either way great gun but I just won't shoot it as much.
6.5 Carcano was once cheap and readily available.
*Cries in krag ammo price * My advice, of you get a garand and wanna shoot it buy an after market plug, its saves alot of money and you can shoot any rounds woth a little set up
$700-$800 for an M1917? I paid about $1200 for mine a few months back because the only ones I could find in that price range were sporterized ones (not complaining too much though, I'm still really happy with my purchase).
Oof, I saw one at a local store for $700 just last week.
@Xray Paul I seriously looked into a few sporterized options, but found that if I wanted to get all original wood, screws, barrel bands, and sling swivels to return it to its military configuration it would have ended up costing me the same, if not more.
@@lol500000 Oof indeed in that case, too bad for me none of the gun stores in my area had one (I legit spent well over 2 weeks going to different gun stores almost every day to look), and all the gun shows were canceled due to corona. Side note, love your War Thunder content man, I've been subbed to your channel for a while now, keep it up.
Don't worry I boughy a siamese type 45/66 mauser. 8x52r siamese is impossible to find but not too hard to hand load
Try to find 7.35x51 Carcano 🙁🙁🙁...I do still have 58 rounds of MilSurp ammo in cardboard boxes (that are falling apart).
How hard is it to find an original M1917? They are one of my bucket list guns
Hey Mike B, what tips would you recommend for someone trying to get a no1 mkiii?
There’s this one rifle I’m on the hunt for as of recently, and I just can’t find any for a good price.
Looking for a Gewehr 98
Good luck, not to get you down but if its want nazi markings, get ready to pay the big bucks, and avoid the shit ones, you just gotta get that one pawn shop or that son who isn't into guns to get it faor price
*fair
Do you think reloading is something worth getting into if you have surpluses? My friends both have random Mauser clones and they either take like 8mm or 7 something Swedish and from what they tell me it’s rare to find. I’m glad I got my Enfield (even if it’s a sporter) .303 isn’t too hard to find.
8mm Mauser is pretty much ~35 a box so with that just go Hornady. But I did pick up a few boxes of surplus light ball at my last gun show for 6 a box of 15 .... Don't know country or date because it's Arabic but isn't masri or Farsi.
I used to buy my ammo from SG Ammo but they stopped shipping to freakin’ CA!
I would too. CA has way too many stupid restrictions to make it worth doing business there.
Ammo availability is the only reason I have ever had that led me to ever sell a gun. 7.35 Carcano ammo is spendy, but the rifles aren’t.
I find that the cost of some milsurps is inversely proportionate to the availability of the cartridge. There’s a really cheap Swiss Vetterli and Dutch Hemburg Mannlicher at my LGS because no one makes those cartridges
Since you brought it up, how expensive is 7mm Mauser? I've noticed that Spanish Mausers chambered in it aren't creeping up as much as 8mm Mauser variants.
It's about the same as many other rifle rounds, but you have to dig a little farther to find it.
@@MikeB128 Gotcha. So probably safer to just spring for something like an M48A for like 150 more, then.
@@InvidiousIgnoramus I like 7mm better, but it's all up to you. It's only slightly easier, and about the same price, to locate 8mm over 7mm.
@@MikeB128 Gotcha.
I see a 1917 enfield in my local pawn shop for 300$ but it’s missing a rear sight so I’ve passed on it
Prvi Partizan makes come decent ammo
#truth
Won't lie my current surplus is similar to what is like
Mosin
Sks
1903
And spanish mauser 7mm
Surprised that 7mm isn't that bad. Lgs still has all the ammo I want. Even 32acp and makarov.
Nice selection.
good ol 8x50r
Yeah that stuff is a bitch.
.303 availability?
Not good surplus, available commercial, but pricey.
Or you could be me and buy a Bannerman mosin and be afraid to fire it
As a semi advanced collector I can say reload reload reload.
i need me an argentine mauser
Load your own man.
Yeah but that has its own cost as well as space. There are trade-offs. Before you say it, yes, I load my own...