Mystery spam can of ammo need help identifying.

[that guy]

I need some help solving a mystery. I recently got 4 spam cans of what was supposed to be 7.62x39. Well two are for sure 7.62x54r and one is for sure 5.45x39. The fourth is otherwise unmarked. So the 5.45x39 1080 rounds weighs more than the 7.62x54r 440 rounds and comes in at approximately 26.8#s. The mystery one weighs 29.6#s. I am trying everything I can to solve this without breaking the seal. My best guess at this point is that it's 7.62x25 1224 rounds. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[KinleyWater]

Some pictures might help. Especially ones that capture any markings clearly and completely.

 

[that guy]

Didn't add any because like I said otherwise unmarked. But here is the only markings, a single number 7 on the long side and Ae3 on one end.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Unless there is some reason that you don't want it opened, I'd open it so you can find out.

 

[that guy]

Unless there is some reason that you don't want it opened, I'd open it so you can find out.

The reasons why I don't want to open it is because if it a round that I can't use then I think it would make sense to leave it sealed and whoever buys it can choose what to do with it. The other reason is if it is something I can use I would prefer to keep it sealed for storage.

 

[KinleyWater]

Okay, there isn't much to go on with this can. 7 might be the factory where it was produced, or it might be the caliber, or the year of manufacture, or maybe none of those things. AE3, I think might actually be an A83. If, and I do mean IF, that is A83, then I suspect that it's a mark for the powder factory and year of powder manufacture, in this case the A would be Alekinsky Chemical Plant and the 83 would be 1983. That is entirely speculation. Unfortunately, the best markings to tell what this is would be on the top of the can, which looks like someone painted over the. Or, perhaps the manufacturer didn't bother to put on int he first place, which I would believe. For future reference, this site has good information about Russian ammo marking: https://m1-garand-rifle.com/mil-surplus-ammo.html

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

[that guy]

Okay, there isn't much to go on with this can. 7 might be the factory where it was produced, or it might be the caliber, or the year of manufacture, or maybe none of those things. AE3, I think might actually be an A83. If, and I do mean IF, that is A83, then I suspect that it's a mark for the powder factory and year of powder manufacture, in this case the A would be Alekinsky Chemical Plant and the 83 would be 1983. That is entirely speculation. Unfortunately, the best markings to tell what this is would be on the top of the can, which looks like someone painted over the. Or, perhaps the manufacturer didn't bother to put on int he first place, which I would believe. For future reference, this site has good information about Russian ammo marking: https://m1-garand-rifle.com/mil-surplus-ammo.html

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Yeah I got a hold of Fred at ammobee.com and he weighed some of his cans for me but no match. His can of 7.62x25 was

Okay, there isn't much to go on with this can. 7 might be the factory where it was produced, or it might be the caliber, or the year of manufacture, or maybe none of those things. AE3, I think might actually be an A83. If, and I do mean IF, that is A83, then I suspect that it's a mark for the powder factory and year of powder manufacture, in this case the A would be Alekinsky Chemical Plant and the 83 would be 1983. That is entirely speculation. Unfortunately, the best markings to tell what this is would be on the top of the can, which looks like someone painted over the. Or, perhaps the manufacturer didn't bother to put on int he first place, which I would believe. For future reference, this site has good information about Russian ammo marking: https://m1-garand-rifle.com/mil-surplus-ammo.html

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Yeah I managed to contact Fred at ammobee.com and he was kind enough to go weigh some of his cans, no matches though. My guess is it's 7.62x25 but his can weighed 31.8 where mine is 29.4. I'm guessing it originally came in a crate of two and the other can probably had all the lid markings who knows.

 

[KinleyWater]

Well, I suppose that at the end of the day, you can always break the seal. I know that's not your preference, but it may be the only way to find out once and for all.

 

[that guy]

I hadn't thought of that

 

[that guy]

Well I finally opened the can, and drum roll....... it's 5.45x39 7n6. This is weird because it's heavier than the Bulgarian can which is also supposed to be steel core.