Ammunition Evaluation: Ethiopian 7.92x57mm Mauser

Рет қаралды 146,526

Күн бұрын

/ forgottenweapons
Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! shop.forgottenweapons.com
Century International Arms has imported a quantity of Ethiopian ammunition, and asked me to do a video on it. So, I have a three-part evaluation here: appearance and packaging, live fire testing (including velocity and consistency), and teardown and bullet weight consistency. This ammunition was produced (as best I can tell) at the Emperor Haile Selassie Ammunition Factory, established with Czech technical aid in the late 1940s in Addis Ababa. This ammunition is all headstamped 1955, made for a variety of rifles and machine guns including the ZH-29, ZB-26, and FN BAR.
Velocity:
I tested velocity using a 7.92x57mm Yugoslav reworked K98k Mauser rifle (barrel length 23.6 inches). Measurements were taken at 10 feet from the muzzle, with a sample size of 15 rounds fired. I found an average velocity of 2460 fps, extreme spread of 81 fps (max 2505, min 2424), and standard deviation of 22.69 fps. At least half of the rounds fired exhibited a very brief hangfire, and two required a second primer strike to fire.
Bullets:
I tested the weight of 10 bullets using a calibrated Lyman electronic scale. I found an average weight of 197.4 grains, extreme spread of 1.6 grains (max 197.8 gr, min 196.2 gr), and standard deviation of 0.47 grains. Bullet construction is boat tail with an open base, lead core, and gilding metal over steel jacket (these bullets do attract a magnet). I found a seeming random mixture of silver and brass colored jackets in the boxes I opened.
Century advertises this ammunition as using corrosive primers, and I took them at their word and did not test for corrosivity.
Raw data:
Velocities (fps): 2465, 2475, 2440, 2464, 2468, 2433, 2460, 2484, 2424, 2437, 2429, 2474, 2472, 2465, 2505
Bullet weights (grains): 197.5, 197.7, 196.2, 197.1, 197.6, 197.6, 197.3, 197.7, 197.8, 197.4

Пікірлер: 471

@wilsonj4705 5 жыл бұрын

Forgotten Ammunition

@sirjackbone 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, NEW CHANNEL!

@ronschramm9163 5 жыл бұрын

"..so let's crunch the numbers." Damn, wrong channel. I had a Paul Harrell moment.

@1971irvin 5 жыл бұрын

😂😂👍👍

@emperorspock3506 5 жыл бұрын

I expected a meat target with a hi-tech fleece bullet stop!

@LordSluggo 5 жыл бұрын

The crossover among the firearms community on KZfaq is truly amazing

@monroetoolman 5 жыл бұрын

So, is the Ethiopian 8mm worth it? You be the judge.

@mitchlovesgames7281 4 жыл бұрын

@@emperorspock3506 Don't forget the pork rib "Pektral"

@fry3008 5 жыл бұрын

Would be Interesting to see an evaluation of some old British ww2 era 303 ammunition loaded with cordite

@jackgalati1950 5 жыл бұрын

hey Fry nice to see you here (werebear on IF)

@justagamer363 5 жыл бұрын

If anybody could find it, it would be Gun Jesus. Let's thumb this comment up so he sees it!

@fscreations7373 5 жыл бұрын

I like the comment but on my screen it’s saying it was posted a week ago and the video only went up 35 minutes ago. Wtf KZfaq?!?

@TheLoxxxton 5 жыл бұрын

@@fscreations7373 patreon only upload 1st maybe?

@fscreations7373 5 жыл бұрын

Good idea but I am a Patreon supporter and haven’t seen it posted before. ‘Tis strange

@cmanlovespancakes 5 жыл бұрын

About 10 years ago I bought a few large card board boxes of German 1943 dated WWII 8mm ammo. If I remember correctly the story was that it was captured in Tunisia and kept in storage there. The boxes where designed to fit into a German ammo can and the top would be rip off to access the smaller cartridge boxes. The cartridges were on steel stripper clips. The brass cased ammo looked great for the age and who knows how it was stored. Though it did not shoot well. There was at least one dud on each stripper clip and plenty of hang fires. The average speed recorded by the chronograph was pretty consistent for old ammo. I shot about 150 Rds, gave some to a friend, and then kept the other intact boxes for display. I do not remember what I paid for it though I do believe It was pretty pricey for 8mm. At that time you cold get Comm block 8mm Romanian for a lot less. I believe Century imported it.

@charlesgloeckner9873 5 жыл бұрын

By the looks of it, this was probably pretty good ammo in it's day - primers well staked and sealed, good bullet uniformity, and for those rounds that fired promptly, really not bad velocity uniformity. On the other hand, a two in 15 chance of not firing on the first attempt. I'd buy it if the price were right.

@klobiforpresident2254 5 жыл бұрын

Well, considering the age of the ammunition I'd say it's still not all that terrible.

@MarvinCZ 5 жыл бұрын

I'd say it was pretty amazing in its day. The rounds that did not hang-fire had just 11.65 fps standard deviation in velocity.

@spearspearspear 4 жыл бұрын

Gary Mitchell it’s still 80-90 bucks for a brick of 300. Good price if you ask me.

@cameronjellison2085 4 жыл бұрын

I just bought some, about 31 cents a round

@cameronjellison2085 3 жыл бұрын

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine I doubt you’ll find it again. Not something I’d run through any semi auto, but if you feel like running 150+ rounds through a bolt action it’s perfect. Only 2 duds and just some slight hangfires.

@Mabus262 5 жыл бұрын

Ethiopia uses a different calendar if I remember right, and they lag behind by seven or eight years, so that could explain the difference in the dates on the packaging and cartridges.

@davidbell5528 5 жыл бұрын

yeah, they start on a different date and have differing leap year rules, difference seems to be 7-8 years. So packaging is dated on ethiopian calender and the ammo on standard western calender

@mphelps7919 5 жыл бұрын

@@RonJohn63 Possibly for export to other nations ?

@herosstratos 5 жыл бұрын

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_calendar?wprov=sfla1

@StevenL00 5 жыл бұрын

@@herosstratos you the real MVP

@dwightehowell8179 5 жыл бұрын

@@RonJohn63 They may have imported the brass, bullets, cases, and primers.

@theodoreroosevelt3143 5 жыл бұрын

4:47 cutest and the most adorable thing i ever heard

@iplz 5 жыл бұрын

cringe

@Statusinator 5 жыл бұрын

based

@frankdn109 5 жыл бұрын

Bit of flinch on that one, too.

@wjlasloThe2nd 5 жыл бұрын

I disagree, 5:18 is cuter

@wtfhaveidone6589 5 жыл бұрын

You girls need to stop right damned now. You're going to embarrass him.

@Bacon9064 5 жыл бұрын

As someone that should be studying for a stats final I’m glad you took the standard deviation

@GMan33195 5 жыл бұрын

So glad you are doing more of these! Keep it up Ian!

@124thDragoon 5 жыл бұрын

I’m so happy you’re planning on making this a series of sorts. We always need more data!

@LojakZeRo 5 жыл бұрын

Love these evaluation videos, glad you want to continue doing them!

@dougbower9479 5 жыл бұрын

Again Ian, thank you for all the informative and interesting videos you do. I am amazed at how busy you are and what a diverse amount of weapons you seem to be able to get your hands on.

@adamak47miller90 5 жыл бұрын

I love collecting ammo as much or sometimes more than firearms. I have some very old ammo and its awesome to see how stuff was made privately and from big factorys. Keep doing ammo reviews like this 👍🔫

@RitchieMonroe 5 жыл бұрын

Great to see the ammo that fits some of these weapons, keep it up. Thanks.

@aserta 5 жыл бұрын

This episode was very nice, it also made me remember some of the OG KZfaq channels that reviewed ammo in all its variations, provenances, and forms. I miss those times.

@StutleyConstable 5 жыл бұрын

I have almost no formal training with firearms and this video taught me two very useful things. Thank you Ian.

@johnnyappleseed6415 5 жыл бұрын

Ammo boxes like those are cool. My early '60's (AFAIK) Yugoslavian mil-surp x39 containers have an equal amount of character. Kinda like a little time capsule. Interesting to learn that other countries packaged the smallest boxes in, what seems unconventional to myself, 15 round amounts. Very entertaining video!

@charlesnapoli6731 5 жыл бұрын

I feel like if I tried to shoot through a chronograph like that, I'd end up putting a round right into the sensors lol. Makes me nervous almost just watching you do it haha.

@dougler500 5 жыл бұрын

Solid work. Loving this series-to-be!

@doctordoggo8604 4 жыл бұрын

I bought 300 rounds for 80 bucks, three in five had hang fires, one in five were completely inert, and one in five would shoot like normal. The video shows them to be pretty reliable, and I'm not the greatest marksmen, but I swear these shots go absolutely everywhere when compared to romanian, german, and privi partizan ammunition. Certainly an adventure to shoot.

@coadycambage1121 2 жыл бұрын

I bought the same amount for the same price, and I must say I'm glad it wasn't just my batch that would only fire a round or two per magazine

@FunkyNige 5 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy these ammo evaluations. I have no idea why as I'm never going to use any of it (live in the UK) but I find them fascinating!

@Th3EpitapH 5 жыл бұрын

liking these videos, glad more are coming!

@nategoff6575 5 жыл бұрын

Congrats on one mil guys! Keep up the great work!

@2Stonefly 5 жыл бұрын

20 Years ago I had some Ecuadorian 8mm surplus and it had hard primers. My friends K98 had hangfires shooting it but my M48 shot it all with no problem. The ammo might be okay but the firing pin spring might be a little soft in your rifle. Just an observation.

@jason127x99 4 жыл бұрын

2Stonefly would this be good machine gun ammo?

@PavarottiAardvark 5 жыл бұрын

"High-lee Sell-ass-ee" is how I think it's said.

@danjohnston3422 5 жыл бұрын

I and I confirm dat, mon.

@ditto1958 5 жыл бұрын

Ya mon.

@josemorenoporras7506 5 жыл бұрын

His name was Tafari Makonnen . Just add this guy is a good for Rastafarians,. He must said Selassie I jah rastafari bless!!!

@crominion6045 5 жыл бұрын

PavarottiAardvark , that's how I've always heard it pronounced, too (and the way I learned it in high school many, many years ago). 👍

@BW-fz5kf 5 жыл бұрын

Jose Moreno Porras no he changed his name to his baptism name during his coronation Haile Selassie means Power To The Holy Spirit.

@bwhog 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know what's worse... a hang fire or one that you have to hit twice. Both are extremely unnerving!

@hamm6035 5 жыл бұрын

This was very interesting. I would very much enjoy see more. Last I believe there was a very interesting story attached to the munitions factory and it's name sake. Thanks again Ian.

@SendLead 5 жыл бұрын

great ammo review! love the crate!

@Cohac 5 жыл бұрын

As a massive fan who hasnt ever fired a gun (i did get to hold a hunting rifle once!) this is an interesting detail of the gun hobby I would never have seen otherwise. Keep up the cool content!

@thegit8698 5 жыл бұрын

Definitely one of my favourite channels

@thomashughes9931 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ian. Really like these videos. I understand why but would love seeing some rounds on paper as well.

@steveshoemaker6347 5 жыл бұрын

This was interesting to watch , nice vintage ammo box for sure !

@knate44 5 жыл бұрын

Danm. Standard deviations on ammunition. You are the best Ian.

@AlexC-dd5ic 5 жыл бұрын

So close to 1M subscribers! You’ll have it soon, congratulations!

@Psiberzerker 5 жыл бұрын

This is so much like a Paul Harrel ammo test video (Or basically any Ammo test) I kept expecting his voice, whenever Ian looked up from the readout, the first few times. Surreal.

@_starlegion 5 жыл бұрын

Nice, some love for good ol’ 8mm Mauser

@LukeColt 5 жыл бұрын

Love these ammo videos

@higorguedes4413 5 жыл бұрын

4:44 Ian on a elevator

@jacobfarley434 5 жыл бұрын

How I feel every morning waiting for the day's video to upload

@TheEnrieb 5 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this evaluation.

@monroetoolman 5 жыл бұрын

These are invaluable. You`re really rolling the dice when you buy surplus ammo, so these will be a great reference.

@Yaboipoopypants69420 5 жыл бұрын

Congrats on 1 mil subs

@Moondog66602 5 жыл бұрын

The 98 family of Mausers have a very distinct bolt throw sound. Feel free to do more of these ammo evals Ian.

@workingmansdead44-ug8hl 5 жыл бұрын

that was fascinating,thanks,loved it

@SootHead 5 жыл бұрын

Like this and will like more of them. Had a box of 1918 dated .45 ACP. Fired most of it off a couple of years ago and every one went boom normally. Didn't chrono them but I had some of them mixed in with about five other types, ages and brands of .45 to demonstrate that my XD45 is not a picky eater.

@rriflemann308 5 жыл бұрын

Wonderful, valuable content!

@adamparris8353 3 жыл бұрын

Damn hang-fires. Definitely a situation where I would prefer the (re)cocking knob on the Krag/M-1903 over the mauser.

@LassieIndustries 5 жыл бұрын

Congratulations on the 1 million subs!

@veryberrykeri 5 жыл бұрын

its always unnerving to watch you test this old stuff

@TheRumpleminze 5 жыл бұрын

These vids are awesome

@joshrodallegas607 5 жыл бұрын

Congrats on 1 million! :D

@andrewince8824 5 жыл бұрын

Considering they're 63 years old I'd say these rounds are bloody good.

@anthonyhayes1267 3 жыл бұрын

Considering that m2 ball pretty much goes off every time, I expect it could be better. Although it is worth considering that what we just saw of the Ethiopian 8mm was a small sample size and my own experience with m2 is merely the experience of one dude.

@nobilismaximus 5 жыл бұрын

Always interesting to see someone work a bolt the same way I do. Interesting because I didn’t know how it looked from an onlookers perspective. Not as daft as I thought it looked. 👍

@jimvandemoter6961 5 жыл бұрын

Ian, another very interesting video, thanks. Man, I'm such a nerd.

@Americas_Laziest_Photographer 5 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this video! This is actually not that bad as far as my experience with surplus goes.. the worst I've shot was Syrian 7.5 French ammo.

@jarinorvanto4301 5 жыл бұрын

Very interesting! Many topics condensed into 13 worthwhile minutes: ammo history, hang fire safety procedure and ethiopian calendar.

@boedhaspeaks 5 жыл бұрын

The factory still exist, in the middle of town. Making bombs rockets en small arms ammo :)

@jason127x99 4 жыл бұрын

boedhaspeaks nice!!

@ilfarmboy 4 жыл бұрын

well done taking care of bad hangfires

@TractionEra 5 жыл бұрын

This is great timing, a couple of Ethiopian rounds got mixed in with some surplus 8mm I just received

@TheWayOfTheWind 5 жыл бұрын

Happy 1 million.

@brandonlorance8584 5 жыл бұрын

Definitely do more of these pls

@hondarider2067 2 жыл бұрын

Hang fires were 30 to 40 fps slower than the rest typically . Neat info.

@kirkmooneyham 3 жыл бұрын

The nice thing about shooting old ammo in a Mauser? One of the strongest actions in the world.

@joelopezjl28 5 жыл бұрын

Cant wait till it hits the market even if its not 100% fire its good reloading components

@IMarcaI 5 жыл бұрын

interesting that every cartridge with a hang-fire lost 30-50 fps compared to those that fired normally

@therideneverends1697 4 жыл бұрын

mabey incomplete burn?

@Badpvppaladin 5 жыл бұрын

I love you Ian!

@kyleclark4449 5 жыл бұрын

I just bought a Yugo M48, and once you scrub off the cosmoline, they are just darlings

@LoneRanger869 5 жыл бұрын

Super fascinating video; looking forward to more of them. As for the two cartridges which required second strikes, I wonder if that could be a result of a slightly offset strike which missed the anvil in the bottom of the berdan case, or if there was an issue in manufacture with the case such that the anvil in the pocket wasn't properly shaped and sized.

@MM-gm2yk 5 жыл бұрын

I like the ammo tests

@twirlipofthemists3201 5 жыл бұрын

I don't need the ammo, but how much for the crate?

@ahettinger525 5 жыл бұрын

thought the same thing, really like the crate.

@spearspearspear 4 жыл бұрын

A Hettinger stuff is still 90 bucks a crate. I’d buy it.

@ropeburn6684 4 жыл бұрын

90$ for 1500 rounds? Damn, that sounds cheap even for surplus.

@Thatrandomstranger4473 4 жыл бұрын

Andreas Noa classic firearms has it for $448 after shipping. I think he meant the crate alone is $90

@monteharrison1478 5 жыл бұрын

I don't blame you for flinching shooting 8mm Mauser

@FirstMetalHamster 5 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't want to fire hangfire heavy ammo, but that crate is neato.

@mysss29 5 жыл бұрын

very cool

@LazyLifeIFreak 5 жыл бұрын

I demand reload montage! Stripper-and en-bloc clips, single -double and quad-stacked magazines! Internal and external magazines! Don't forget the drum magazines!

@H_412 5 жыл бұрын

Someone PLEASE make a ringtone or compilation of Ian's noises XD Seriously though, really interesting to see a close look at ammo as I know fairly little about the specifics

@kirkmooneyham 3 жыл бұрын

Just fired some of this ammo (though not many considering the ammo shortage). However, ZERO misfires, ZERO hangfires. Used a Yugoslavian M24/47, noted for having a strong firing pin spring. Also, while the ammo seems to have some kind of very light cosmoline on it, a quick wipe each cartridge with an old t-shirt cleaned it up pretty well. Not sure what the complaints are about, since I couldn't duplicate the problems, and yes, I did watch the video.

@joshuabuilds3051 5 жыл бұрын

Im 20 years old and into ballistics. I thoroughly enjoyed this video.

@tykellerman6384 5 жыл бұрын

Interesting Ian thanks

@exhoost_fume4646 5 жыл бұрын

That k98k (m48)looks interesting, it has a darker kind wood and that (what looks like)a satin finish wich make the gun look unique

@tomcat2395 5 жыл бұрын

Nice video

@beavisbutt-headson3223 5 жыл бұрын

Can I just mention that I love the word "clickbangy"? It sounds so nice

@paranoiia8 5 жыл бұрын

Love those boxes...

@danaterlecky787 5 жыл бұрын

Good Idea for us surplus collectors and shooters. It is always a crap shoot as too what we get when we order and cannot really afford. This helps our choices. Thanks

@proneshooternz3731 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, ammunition crates ARE always cool :)

@curgunner 5 жыл бұрын

Almost 1mil subscribers nice

@curthatt6461 5 жыл бұрын

Very,very interesting!

@steveknopf857 5 жыл бұрын

As noted earlier, the hang fires were slower, leaving those out of the equation the deviation would be pretty good. seems to have been excellent ammo to begin with.

@N5KDA 5 жыл бұрын

The muzzle blast is hard on those sky screens. Just back up a little.

@fakeexperte 5 жыл бұрын

man, almost at a million

@RyTrapp0 5 жыл бұрын

4:47 - our great and infinitely knowledgeable preacher & purveyor of the firearm himself, Gun Jesus, has laid upon our ears the first sound waves of 'The Hymn of Mouser'! It's just so... ...so, so beautiful, really brought tears to my eyes...

@calvingreene90 5 жыл бұрын

My 1898 Mauser carbine has a lip on the hammer for cocking without unlocking the breach. it works with the extraction rim of another casing.

@warphammer 5 жыл бұрын

If reggae is anything to go by (and they do really like him, oh boy), high-lee is the pronunciation. See if my linguistics friend knows better. I was all ready to say 'hey, these are better than the last set' from the first clip, but then, no, hangfire city again.

@badaddresses 5 жыл бұрын

I couldn't stop laughing. And the look on his face when he says it.

@1SaG 5 жыл бұрын

Well, yeah... probably due to the fact that the Rastafari church/religion views him as God incarnate and their messiah. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie#Rastafari_messiah

@elektro3000 5 жыл бұрын

I'm really looking forward to more of these videos. Could you do the 7.62 NATO from Hirtenberger and SM Chemnitzer next?

@Atma_Weapon 5 жыл бұрын

id still fire that. seems like its good ammo. thanks ian! another good video.

@GIITW.5OKC 4 жыл бұрын

5:16 LOOK THAT THAT FLINCH LMAO, TBH I'd probably do the same thing, this ammo scares me.

@spearspearspear 4 жыл бұрын

Good stuff honestly. Just need a strong striker.

@iPervy 5 жыл бұрын

Hangfires in tandem with no fires are pretty scary stuff haha.

@simonphoenix5768 5 жыл бұрын

almost 1 million subs!

@danaterlecky787 5 жыл бұрын

PS. If you do get a box with known hang fires they can be rather accurate. If they have about a 3-5 second hang and you stay on target they will appear to be most accurate. Not that they are but as you know when a round goes off it is supposed to be a surprise and that time allows for aiming and surprise... I had some east Europe stuff that did that.

@AdurianJ 5 жыл бұрын

Try to find one of the 8000 98K rifles that Sweden bought but re-chambered in 8×63mm Swedish. Which was a Swedish 8mm machine gun cartridge.

@wewlad5643 5 жыл бұрын

Definitely looking forward to more milsurp ammo reviews. There aren't really any out there with actual footage. (Especially 8mm, need to feed my FN49, PPU is a little hot).