For many years, most of the available 7.62x39mm AK rounds came as surplus from Eastern Europe or Russia itself, with occasional Chinese shipments and, at least once, some horrible Egyptian ammo. Most of that surplus is now gone or committed to other uses, but fortunately, several American and foreign manufacturers have responded to consumer demand for new and clean ammunition for AKs. This ammo ranges from inexpensive range ammunition to well-designed hunting, self-defense, and target rounds. Of course, AKs are available in several different chamberings, and many of the manufacturers listed here offer various caliber options. Here is a roundup of what we consider to be the industry’s top offerings of AK rounds.
Top 9 Suppliers of the Best AK Rounds
1. Barnaul
Barnaul manufactures a wide range of 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62x54mm ammunition for AK-platform firearms. The Golden Bear line has brass-plated steel cases, the Silver Bear line has zinc-plated steel cases and the Brown Bear line has two different coated cases—lacquered steel or polymer coated. The Golden Bear 7.62x39mm ammo is offered in 123-grain HPs and FMJs and a 125-grain SP. Silver Bear offers projectiles in all three calibers. In 7.62x39mm, Silver Bear ammo uses the same bullets as the Golden Bear. Silver Bear ammo in 7.62x54R gives the shooter a choice of a 203-grain SP or a 174-grain FMJ and a 5.45x39mm 60-grain FMJ load. Barnaul’s Brown Bear 7.62x39mm lines offer 123-grain FMJ and HP loads and a 125-grain SP load. For more information, visit https://www.dkgtrading.com
2. CorBon DPX
CorBon makes precision ammunition for self-defense and hunting. The company’s offering in 7.62x39mm is a 123-grain load that pushes CorBon’s solid-copper DPX (Deep Penetrating X-panding) projectile to a velocity of 2,300 fps. Using a solid bullet negates concerns over slug separation (maintaining 100 percent bullet weight) and ensures deeper penetration for hunting or self-defense. This design also offers very reliable expansion with a polymer tip for an enhanced ballistic coefficient (BC). For more information, visit https://www.corbon.com
3. Federal Premium
Federal Premium’s 149-grain, 7.62x51mm cartridge is an ideal choice for target shooters thanks to its consistent and spot-on performance at a price that won’t break the bank. This cartridge features reloadable boxer-primed brass cases so reloaders can literally get more bang for their buck. For more information, visit https://federalpremium.com
4. Hornady
Hornady has recognized the benefits of steel-case ammunition in AK rifles. In fact, that is what the rifle was originally intended to use. To that end, Hornady offers both 7.62x39mm and 5.45x39mm ammunition with polymer-coated steel cases and non-corrosive Berdan primers. The 7.62x39mm load features a 123-grain SST (Super Shock Tip) expanding bullet with a polymer tip for a better BC. Its “InterLock” ring ensures the core and jacket stay locked tight together during expansion and penetration. The 5.45x39mm load uses a 60-grain V-MAX expanding bullet designed for accuracy with a polymer tip and a flat trajectory. The swaged lead core produces dramatic fragmentation on targets such as varmints for maximum effectiveness. For more information, visit https://www.hornady.com
5. PMC Bronze FMJs
Precision Made Cartridges (PMC) offers the Bronze ammunition line for high-volume 7.62x39mm shooting. These 123-grain FMJs produce a muzzle velocity of 2,350 fps from a 20-inch barrel. Despite its economical price, the Bronze line of ammunition is made to the same high standards as PMC’s offerings. All of the cartridges use new, reloadable brass cases and boxer primers. PMC makes the rounds to SAAMI or military standards with strict quality-control procedures. For more information, visit https://pmcammo.com
6. Red Army Standard
Century Arms manufactures and imports many AK variants, and the company also imports economical ammunition made in various Eastern European military factories under the Red Army Standard name. Several rifle loadings are available: 148-grain 7.62x54R loads with traditional FMJs and copper-jacket FMJs and 7.62x39mm with 122-grain FMJ. These rounds feature non-corrosive primers and lead-core bullets. Like traditional military ammo from Eastern Europe, these cartridges have lacquered steel cases and Berdan primers so you can’t reload them. For more information, visit https://www.centuryarms.com/red-army-standard
7. Sellier & Bellot
Sellier & Bellot manufactures its ammunition in the Czech Republic and offers brass-cased, Boxer-primed FMJ and SP ammo in 7.62X39mm and 7.62X54R. The 7.62X39mm is available with 124-grain FMJ and SP bullets. The 7.62X54R offerings include 180-grain FMJs and SPs, and a 174-grain HPBT load. For more information, visit https://www.sellierbellot.us/
8. TulAmmo Rounds
TulAmmo makes their AK rounds at a Russian small-arms factory. These rounds are reasonably priced and deliver reliable performance in 124-grain FMJs, HPs, and SPs. TulAmmo uses Berdan-primed steel cases for all of its ammunition. For more information, visit https://ammo.com/brands/tula-ammo
9. Wolf Performance Ammunition
Wolf has three separate product lines that contain Soviet-caliber rifle ammunition. The Gold line has brass-cased, Boxer-primed 7.62x54R ammunition loaded with copper-jacketed 150-grain FMJ and 180-grain SP bullets. The Military Classic 5.45x39mm load has 60-grain, FMJ, bimetal-jacketed bullets and also 55-grain HP and SP bimetal-jacketed bullets. The company’s Military Classic 7.62x39mm ammo has 124-grain FMJ, HP, and SP bimetal-jacketed bullets, while the 7.62x54R Military Classic ammo has 151-grain FMJ, 148-grain SP, and 200-grain FMJ bimetal-jacketed bullets. There’s even a 200-grain copper-jacketed Military Classic target load. Wolf’s 7.62x39mm PolyFormance ammo has Berdan primers and polymer-coated steel cases in 123-grain FMJ and HP bimetal-jacketed bullets and in 125-grain SP bimetal-jacketed bullets. For more information, visit https://www.wolfammo.com
