Stockpile Sunday! 7.62x39 Russian Vympel “Hunting Ammo” and 30-06 reloads for the M1 Garand

This video by Sully from Line 45 analyzes the current market trend of declining ammunition prices with stagnant sales in 2025. The primary drivers identified are economic strain on consumers, a shift towards smarter training methods like dry fire and reloading, and a diminished fear-based purchasing mentality. Shooters are now prioritizing value, efficiency, and strategic planning over panic buying.

This video debunks common myths and misconceptions surrounding the 7.62x39mm cartridge, contrasting it with 5.56x45mm NATO. The host, drawing on combat experience in Ukraine, argues that 7.62x39mm is an antiquated round with inferior ballistic performance, recoil, and accuracy compared to modern alternatives like 5.56mm. The discussion highlights the importance of practical experience over internet 'fud lore' and emphasizes that while any caliber can be effective with good marksmanship, 5.56mm offers objective advantages for modern combat and civilian applications.

This video from hickok45 presents a 'scientific' experiment to determine the best calibers for exploding watermelons, offering a practical demonstration of ballistic effects. The test compares various handgun, rifle, and shotgun calibers, highlighting that projectile velocity is the key factor in achieving a dramatic 'explosion.' hickok45, a renowned firearms educator, uses his extensive experience to showcase how different rounds interact with targets, providing valuable insights into terminal ballistics.

This Ruger tech tip addresses the common question of whether steel-cased ammunition is safe to use in the Ruger American Rifle chambered in 7.62x39. Instructor Mark Kearney confirms that steel-cased ammunition is acceptable, provided it is of good quality and from a known manufacturer. The primary concern is with ammunition of unknown origin, particularly older surplus rounds that may have been stored improperly.

This video from Banana Ballistics explores the visibility of tracer rounds in flight. The host, demonstrating high expertise in ballistics, uses a chronograph to measure velocities of various calibers, from 5.56 down to .22 LR. The experiment concludes that while slower tracer rounds are visible, they do not offer a practical reaction advantage due to their speed.

This video demonstrates the basic operation of a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 at an indoor range. The shooter showcases cycling the bolt action, loading, and firing the rifle. A notable point is the shooter's expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the ammunition used, highlighting the importance of reliable components for effective shooting.

This review focuses on a vintage 1980s Smith & Wesson Model 60 'no dash' revolver, identified as a new favorite by the reviewer. The expert firearm collector highlights key vintage features such as the pinned barrel, hammer-mounted firing pin, and original wooden grips. The revolver's history of ownership in Concord, Massachusetts, adds to its provenance.

This review by Cranky Gun Reviews provides a detailed, analytical comparison of three minimalistic .22LR survival rifles: the Chiappa Little Badger, Ruger 10/22 Takedown, and Henry US Survival. The expert reviewer assesses each rifle based on critical survival criteria including deployment speed, portability, weight, capacity, ergonomics, sights, floating ability, and price, offering practical insights for choosing the best option for specific needs.

This review of the Savage Model 301 break-action shotgun highlights its budget-friendly nature, ideal for survival scenarios. The expert demonstrates its simple operation, safety features like the hammer block transfer bar, and easy two-piece takedown for portability. Performance with various .410 bore ammunition types is discussed, along with its value proposition under $200.

This guide details a DIY approach to handloading 410 shotshells, focusing on cost savings and utilizing repurposed tools alongside specific MEC press components. The process involves trimming 3-inch shells to 2.5 inches, depriming, resizing with a dedicated die, and priming. It then covers measuring powder (14 grains of Winchester 296), seating wads, adding shot (half an ounce of #6), and performing both pre-crimping and final crimping using MEC accessories. The presenter emphasizes the challenges of achieving perfect crimps without a full MEC press setup.