Indian Specifications of SA 7.62 mm Ball M-80 *
- Caliber 7.62 X 51 mm
- Boxer primed brass case, Non corrosive primer
- 148 grain Full metal jacket boattail with lead core.
- 46.3 grains smokeless ball powder.
- Specified muzzle velocity of 2680 feet per second plus or minus 30 feet per second when fired from a 22 inch barrel.
Test of the Indian OFV ammunition.
For comparison two other types of M-80 ball cartridges were also tested. Rounds were fired out of an Ishapore 2A1 Enfield Rifle with a 25.2 inch length barrel.
Headstamps
OFV Ordnance Factory, Varangaon IndiaBF-79-72 Portugal
SIEC IK-85 Yugoslavia Igman Konjic
| OFV 02 | BF-79-72 | SIEC IK-85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shot No. | MV fps | MV fps | MV fps |
| 1 | 2771 | 2701 | 2800 |
| 2 | 2708 | 2754 | 2818 |
| 3 | 2777 | 2761 | 2806 |
| 4 | 2758 | 2754 | 2778 |
| 5 | 2741 | 2762 | 2799 |
| 6 | 2700 | 2742 | 2754 |
| 7 | 2729 | 2721 | 2809 |
| 8 | 2741 | 2714 | 2809 |
| 9 | 2659 | 2733 | 2789 |
| 10 | 2696 | 2738 | 2801 |
| 11 | 2769 | ||
| 12 | 2768 | ||
| 13 | 2733 | ||
| 14 | 2691 | ||
| 15 | 2742 | ||
| 16 | 2736 | ||
| 17 | 2671 | ||
| 18 | 2728 | ||
| 19 | 2731 | ||
| 20 | 2643 | ||
| Average Velocity (fps) | 2725 | 2738 | 2796 |
| Standard Deviation (fps) | 37.18 | 19.73 | 17.63 |
Observations
Pulled bullets from the Indian OFV ammunition were copper jacketed with a lead core. They measured an average of 0.308 inches in diameter and were slightly out of round. Typically, most M80 7.62 Nato ammunition will have steel jacketed, lead core bullets with a diameter of 0.307 inches and may be as little as 0.306 inches. A black tarry substance was used inside the case neck probably to seal the cartridge.
The boxer primed brass cases had a somewhat rougher appearance than those used for European or American manufactured cartridges. As is the case with most military ammunition, the primers were crimped in.
Benchrest groups from a Ishapore 2A1 Lee Enfield at 50 yards
OFV 02 averaged 5.5 inches with a considerable amount of vertical stringing.
Accuracy was the poorest of any M-80 cartridges that I have come across. I
suspect that this 2002 lot was unacceptable to the Indian Government and that is
why it was sold as surplus. I did not experience any squib rounds as some people
have reported but some cartridges had cracked or damaged case necks
In
addition some people have experienced extraction problems when this ammunition
was used in semiauto rifles.
By comparison both the Portugese BF-75-72 headstamped cartridges and the Yugoslavian IK- 85 produced groups averaging 2.5 inches at the same distance.
Reloading OFV Brass Cases
I have reloaded OFV headstamped cases from this lot and others with headstamp dates from the 1990's with acceptable results, however the brass appears to be somewhat brittle. Neck cracks started appearing on the second loading using a 147 grain fmj bullets at the modest velocity of 2650 feet per second.
Homepage of Indian Ordnance Factory
* Indian designation for their version of the 7.62 NATO Ball Cartridge.