7.62X54R Mosin surplus ammo question

[chaz]

Just picked up a Mosin. Are there any restrictions on the use of the mil. surplus rounds at outdoor SGL ranges being that it's steel core ammo?

[R L Suehr]

§135.181. Rifle and handgun ranges.



(a) General provisions. In addition to §135.2 (relating to unlawful actions) and except as provided in §135.182 relating to Ranges, State Game Lands No. 176), the following pertain to lands under Commission ownership, lease or jurisdiction, designated as rifle or handgun ranges:



(1) Rifle and handgun ranges are open from 8 a.m., prevailing time, until sunset Monday through Saturday and from 12 noon to sunset Sundays, unless otherwise posted; except the Sunday immediately preceding the regular antlered and antlerless deer seasons and the regular bear season, when the hours are 8 a.m. to sunset.



(2) A range may be reserved for exclusive use by an organized group from January 1 through October 1. An organized group desiring to reserve the range shall make necessary arrangements through the appropriate regional director or a designee at least 20 days in advance.



(3) An individual may not use the range when in use on days when it is reserved by an organized group.



(4) An individual or an organized group using the range is responsible for keeping the area clean and free of debris, and may not discard, deposit, leave or throw litter except in approved refuse containers. Range users shall remove targets from range backboards when shooting is completed and prior to leaving the range.



(5) The Commission is not responsible for anyone injured on the range. An individual using Commission owned ranges does so at his own risk and assumes all responsibility for injuries to a person or property caused by or to him.



(6) When more than one person is using the range, a range officer shall be designated.



(7) An individual under 16 years of age may not use the range unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older.



(8) The appropriate regional director or designee may close a range by posting signs to that effect.



(b) Prohibited acts. At a rifle and handgun range located on land under Commission ownership, lease or jurisdiction, except when authorized by the appropriate regional director or a designee, it is unlawful to:



(1) Possess a loaded firearm, except at an established shooting station on the firing line.



(2) Discharge a firearm, except from an established shooting station on the firing line at a paper target placed on a permanent target backboard.



(3) Discharge armor piercing, incendiary, explosive, tracer or multiple projectile ammunition.



(4) Be intoxicated, use or possess an intoxicating beverage or controlled substance on the range.



(5) Possess an automatic weapon.



(6) Possess, load or discharge a firearm that contains more than three rounds of single projectile ammunition, except as provided in subsection (c).



(7) Shoot clay birds anywhere except areas designated by the Director by signs stating that clay bird shooting is permitted.



(8) Possess, load or discharge a firearm for any reason without possessing a valid Pennsylvania hunting or furtaker license or a Commission-issued range permit signed by its holder. This prohibition does not apply to persons 15 years of age or younger or up to one person accompanying another person in possession of a valid Pennsylvania hunting or furtaker license or a Commission-issued range permit.



(c) Exceptions for a handgun range. At a Commission range specifically designated as a handgun range, it is permitted for an individual to load and discharge a handgun containing a maximum of six rounds of single projectile ammunition at any one time. Other rules and regulations pertaining to shooting ranges under Commission ownership, lease or jurisdiction shall be in effect.

I Underlined the part about armor piercing rounds. I'm pretty sure steel core surplus ammo is not considered AP so you should be good to go.

IANAL however.

[MT1]

That is correct, steel core and AP are two different types of ammo. Now, does your average WCO know that? Your guess is as good as mine.

[chaz]

Good replies. Has anyone used it at an SGL from experience?

[daschnoz]

Shoot it. Unless you pull down a round and cut a cross section of the bullet, there is no real way of knowing what the core is made of. I highly doubt that the average WCO will know based on the head stamp.

Have your hunting license or range use permit and remember the retarded 3 round limit rule and you'll likely be fine.

[Remington788]

Good replies. Has anyone used it at an SGL from experience?

Yes, with no problems. Unless you are breaking the rules by shooting something you aren't supposed to, I do not envision them checking everyone's ammo.

Shoot it. Unless you pull down a round and cut a cross section of the bullet, there is no real way of knowing what the core is made of. I highly doubt that the average WCO will know based on the head stamp.

Have your hunting license or range use permit and remember the retarded 3 round limit rule and you'll likely be fine.

They can use a magnet. If it sticks to the bullet they know it's steel.
Plus, if it is Russian surplus you can bet that it has a steel core.

Similarly, Lake City Green Tips kind of stand out visibly. They also have a core. Neither is AP but either can make a RO nervous if they are not fully aware of what they are.

[Farbmeister]

Shoot it. Unless you pull down a round and cut a cross section of the bullet, there is no real way of knowing what the core is made of. I highly doubt that the average WCO will know based on the head stamp.

Have your hunting license or range use permit and remember the retarded 3 round limit rule and you'll likely be fine.

Magnet tests at indoor ranges are very common. If someone does show up for a looky-loo they might have a magnet and know how to use it.