The ultra-cheap steel-case era is over. Brass-cased 7.62x39 like PMC Bronze is now the dependable bulk option, and value lines like TelaAmmo fill the budget slot. Buy by the case when prices dip, because this is a caliber where supply is thinner than it used to be.
For decades, 7.62x39 was the cheapest centerfire rifle round you could shoot, thanks to a flood of Russian steel-cased ammunition. That changed when the U.S. suspended import permits for Russian-made ammunition in 2021. Wolf, Tula, and Barnaul, the brands that defined cheap AK ammo, largely disappeared from new supply.
What Filled the Gap
Ammunition from other countries and domestic makers stepped in, and brass-cased 7.62x39 became far more common in bulk listings. Brass is typically more expensive than steel, so the per-round floor rose. Tariffs on imported ammunition and components add further cost exposure to imported lines. Check current pricing rather than relying on old rules of thumb.
PMC 7.62x39 123 gr FMJ
Default pickPMC, part of South Korea's Poongsan, makes consistent brass-cased practice ammo. The dependable default for a case purchase.
TelaAmmo 7.62x39 124 gr FMJ
A value-oriented bulk option. As with any new-to-you load, run a few magazines through your rifle before buying deep.
Buying Smart in a Thinner Market
- Buy when it dips, not when you run out. Thinner supply means sharper price swings.
- Test before stocking. Buy a box, confirm it runs in your rifle, then buy the case.
- Check range rules. Some ranges restrict steel-cased or bimetal-jacketed ammo. Brass-cased FMJ is the widely accepted choice.
- Compare shipping-in cost per round. Case quantities often clear free-shipping thresholds that boxes don't.
Key takeaways
- U.S. import permits for Russian-made ammo were suspended in 2021, which ended the cheap steel-case era.
- Brass-cased 7.62x39 (like PMC Bronze) is now the dependable bulk choice; value lines fill the budget slot.
- Tariffs add cost exposure to imported ammo. Check live prices.
- Test a box before buying a case, and buy on dips.
FAQ
Can I still buy Wolf or Tula 7.62x39?
New Russian-made imports were cut off in 2021. Remaining stock and older inventory may appear, but it's no longer the reliable bulk supply it once was.
Is brass or steel case better for my AK?
AK-pattern rifles run both. Brass is often cleaner, reloadable, and more widely allowed at ranges; steel was historically cheaper.
Is 7.62x39 still worth shooting in 2026?
If you own a rifle chambered for it, yes. Just budget for higher costs than a decade ago and buy on dips.
What grain weight is standard?
Around 122 to 124 grain FMJ is the common practice load.