Question about mystery nato ammo

[phillip61]

A guy I know came across some ammo but don't know how to figure out what grain it is without taking one apart and weighing it. A plain brown box that has an "HP" inside a circle, below that it has this, 20 cartridges. Cal. 7.62X51 Ball.

Another person said it was 147gr. M80. Is there a way to know for sure?

 

[wchartz]

The NRA keeps up with this in its technical division. If you are a member you can email them this question and get an accurate answer.

 

[ORD]

Sounds like Austrian surplus from the mid to late 70's (HP is Hirtenberger Patronenfabrik). Depending on its vintage, it may be berdan or boxer primer...should all be three star crimped...some had sealed primers and some did not.

As surplus 7.62 goes...the Hirtenberger is some of the VERY best you'll find.