What is inside a 7.62x39?

Published on May 17, 2026
Duration: 1:16

This video compares Russian 7.62x39mm ammunition (mistakenly referred to as 556 in parts of the transcript) with NATO 5.56x45mm. Key differences highlighted include the casing material (steel vs. brass), powder morphology (spaghetti-like strands vs. spherical flakes), and primer systems (Berdan vs. Boxer). The Berdan primer system, common in Russian ammunition, features two flash holes, while the Boxer primer system has a single flash hole.

Quick Summary

7.62x39mm and 5.56 NATO ammunition differ significantly in their internal components. 7.62x39mm often uses steel casings and has strand-like powder, while 5.56 NATO typically uses brass casings and spherical powder flakes. A key distinction is the primer system: 7.62x39mm commonly uses the Berdan system with two flash holes, whereas 5.56 NATO uses the Boxer system with a single flash hole.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction: Russian vs NATO Ammo
  2. 00:06Visual Differences: Casing Material
  3. 00:09Examining Internal Powder
  4. 00:11Using a Bullet Puller
  5. 00:18Introducing NATO 5.56 Round
  6. 00:25Side-by-Side Comparison
  7. 00:32Russian Powder Morphology
  8. 00:38NATO 5.56 Powder Morphology
  9. 00:43Bullet Tip and Boat Tail Differences
  10. 00:53Primer System Differences: Berdan vs Boxer
  11. 00:57Berdan Primer: Two Flash Holes
  12. 01:00Boxer Primer: Single Flash Hole
  13. 01:04Firing Test: NATO Boxer Primer
  14. 01:07Firing Test: Berdan Russian Primer

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main visual differences between 7.62x39mm and 5.56 NATO ammunition?

The most apparent visual difference is the casing material: 7.62x39mm often uses steel, while 5.56 NATO typically uses brass. Internally, the powder also differs, with 7.62x39mm having strand-like powder and 5.56 NATO using spherical flakes.

What is the difference between Berdan and Boxer primer systems in ammunition?

The Berdan primer system, common in Russian ammunition, features two flash holes. The Boxer primer system, prevalent in NATO standard ammunition, has a single flash hole. This difference affects how the primer ignites the propellant.

How does the powder differ inside 7.62x39mm and 5.56 NATO cartridges?

The powder in 7.62x39mm ammunition is described as looking like broken spaghetti strands. In contrast, 5.56 NATO ammunition uses powder that appears as small, spherical balls or flakes.

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