Golden Tiger 7.62x39 Review: Top-Choice SHTF Ammo

As a kid, I never wondered what ammo my dad was loading when we’d go out to the range. All I knew at the time was that he’d put a couple of ammo cans in the back of his '79 F-150 (we called it "The Beast"), tuck his SKS behind the seat, and we’d all head out to the range.

When the ammo shortages hit the USA, I asked him what was in all of those ammo cans (I wanted the inventory we had back in the day). Turns out it was Golden Tiger. He explained it was cheap, easy to get, and “pretty good ammo.

Unfortunately, the ammo market has changed much since I started taking my own children to the range. That same Golden Tiger we used to stockpile is now challenging to find. I order it whenever I see it in stock, and I don't order it often. (Note: Biden's ammo ban, which took effect in 2021 and remains law as of 2025, certainly hasn't done any favors for Golden Tiger's availability.)

Golden Tiger 7.62x39 is more than just Russian mil-spec ammunition. It’s accurate, and you can get it for a good price. I’d definitely recommend stockpiling it when you can get it. If you’re in a hurry, check our inventory HERE.

Read on to learn the many reasons Golden Tiger has earned such an excellent reputation.

Golden Tiger 7.62x39 Overview

Golden Tiger is more than what you’d expect from Russian mil-spec. I refer to it as "SHTF ammo" (meaning: stuff hits the fan). It’s cheap yet reliable ammunition; easy to stockpile, and performs flawlessly. You’d do well to have a few thousand-round boxes in your closet if society collapses to ensure your Yugo SKS or WASR 10/63 never runs dry. (Ask any survivalist and they will agree: survival is easier when you have an AK-47.)

Golden Tiger 124 grain 7.62x39 full metal jacket boat tail (FMJBT) ammunition has lacquer-coated steel cases (the lacquer being there to protect against corrosion in storge and reduce friction during cycling through an automatic). Its FMJBT bullet has two components: a lead core, and a "bimetal" (i.e. weak steel with a thin copper-washed exterior) jacket.

Those components have three significant implications. First, steel cases aren't reloadable, and also tend to lead to dirtier performance. Second, the bullet's boat tail helps it conserve more velocity, and travel across a flatter trajectory as a result. Third, the bimetal-jacketed bullet attracts a magnet, and is therefore forbidden at many commercial gun ranges.

These rounds perform pretty well, even if its characteristically hard Russian primers are more prone to light fire strikes (resulting in failure to fire). Light primer strikes can also occur if your trigger springs are old and worn, or if you've upgraded to lighter springs for a lighter trigger pull.

If you're considering stocking up on Golden Tiger, it’s worth upgrading your rifle's trigger springs to accommodate its harder primers.

Manufactured at the Vympel Ammunition factory in Russia (alongside Red Army Standard ammo), these cartridges undergo stringent quality tests to ensure they perform. As newly manufactured ammo, its Berdan primers are 100% noncorrosive. No need for special steps while cleaning your rifle afterward.

The case mouth is lacquer-sealed to protect the propellant against moisture and humidity. It helps the ammo stay fresh in storage. Just don't count on it to keep the ammo safe and ready to fire no matter what happens out in the field.

Golden Tiger ammo has a high muzzle velocity and ballistic coefficient for what it is. Take care that the FMJBT is suboptimal for hunting and defense, though. Its inability to undergo terminal expansion means it will likely inflict less damage to its target than a soft point (or some other type of expanding bullet) could have.

Our Golden Tiger 7.62x39 Review

Golden Tiger ammunition is great for many things – but not for everything.

I like that it’s reliable, cheap, and performs exceptionally well. Its lacquered case and sealant protect it in storage. Despite living in the Southeast – where it's so humid that fish regularly swim past my window – I’ve had no problems with Golden Tiger rusting up. I understand it functions reliably in cold temperatures, too.

One of the more surprising aspects of Golden Tiger ammo is that it has a high ballistic coefficient. Its G1 ballistic coefficient is 0.300, putting its accuracy more or less on par with any range-grade American-made ammo. (For reference, Federal American Eagle 124 grain FMJ has a G1 BC of 0.298.

I haven’t heard many reports of dissatisfaction with Golden Tiger from others. The only complaints I’ve heard are of the occasional FTF – usually indication someone needed one, two or three stronger trigger springs in their AK-47. You’ll still get plenty of rounds that go boom, although it's reasonable to assume you'll get more issues from cheap mass-produced steel-cased Russian ammo.

Compared to other popular Russian 7.62x39 ammo, like Tulammo and Wolf, Golden Tiger rounds seem to run a bit hotter in some rifles. I’ve also never heard a single report of FTE (failure to eject). So, while that may happen, it isn’t likely.

Some indoor shooting ranges across the country may forbid use of this ammo due to its bullet's bimetal jacket.

If you’re into reloading, Golden Tiger ammo isn't the best choice. It's not even an acceptable choice. Steel cases are technically possible to reload, but you probably wouldn't want to bother trying – even during an apocalypse. That aside, Berdan primers' two flash holes make them extremely tricky to reload. Their unstandardized sizes and relative unavailability doesn't help, either.

In short, Golden Tiger ammo is a one-time use item – and that's OK, because it's inexpensive to buy 7.62x39 in bulk (if you can find it for sale).

What Is It Best For?

We covered why we like Golden Tiger 7.62x39, but we haven’t deeply explored its best uses.

The Russians use it for hunting. I don't recommend it for that purpose due to the FMJBT bullet's inability to undergo terminal expansion. (If you need an excellent 7.62x39 hunting cartridge, check out the Hornady Black 123 grain SST).

You'd also do better to choose an expanding bullet for defense (but to be sure, any 7.62x39 cartridge is capable of neutralizing a threat). But so long as you're just target shooting, plinking, or otherwise taking aim at inanimate objects, Golden Tiger won't let you down.

Disadvantages

One of the greatest disadvantages of Golden Tiger is that it’s rarely in stock these days. Another issue is that the primers are meant for stronger firing pin springs, so a rifle upgrade might be needed if you experience light primer strikes.

Pros & Cons

I clearly have a nostalgic bias for Golden Tiger, but I’d never give review that isn't well-rounded and critical of the ammunition. So, let’s take a look at the TLDR version of what’s written above.

Pros

• Excellent shelf-life
• Great price
• Accuracy
• Reliability
• Excellent reputation

Cons

• Challenging to find
• Hard primers
• No longer imported to the U.S. (as of 2025)

Specifications

Ballistics of Golden Tiger 7.62x39

Alternatives

I have spoken quite a bit about Golden Tiger’s inventory issues here in the U.S. If you’re unable to locate any, then you still have viable alternatives.

Wolf 123 Grain FMJ

Wolf 7.62x39 FMJ ammo shares much in common with Golden Tiger. This ammunition has a polymer-coated steel case. It's noncorrosive. Its bimetal jacket attracts a magnet. It’s also low-cost ammunition, albeit much easier to buy in bulk.

The Wolf 7.62x39 123-grain cartridges are still high-quality Russian cartridges that feed and eject well. You won’t find many FTFs in each box if you’re using the right rifles. When you can’t find Golden Tiger, Wolf ammo will do.

Prvi Partizan 123-Grain FMJBT

If you’re OK with paying a little (like, minimal) extra to get a higher ballistic coefficient, check out the Prvi Partizan 123 grain FMJBT.

Like Golden Tiger, the Prvi Partizan round has a boat tail bullet and sealed primer. Better yet, the Prvi Partizan 7.62x39 has a brass case and Boxer primer. If you’re into reloading, this is a much better choice than the Golden Tiger. However, be aware that rifles with violent extraction designed for steel-cased ammo (like the SKS and AK-47) might experience stuck cases, as the extractor can rip off the base of the case due to brass being a softer metal than steel.

I'd recommend you buy a 20-round box to ensure your rifle likes it first. If it does, feel free to load up on a bulk pack.

Parting Shots

Choosing a new type of 7.62x39 ammo to stockpile is easy. Golden Tiger won’t let you down as long as you have a rifle that can handle it. And even if you don’t, there are gunsmiths for a reason.

If you see that “In Stock” icon, rest assured that it’s highly unlikely you won’t enjoy this Russian FMJBT ammo. It has the quality standards of American ammo for a fraction of the price. When you open a 1,000-round case, you’ll instantly see what we’re talking about when it comes to the quality of these cartridges.

FAQ

Is Golden Tiger 7.62x39 worth buying?

Yes. It’s designed for AK47s and SKS rifles and runs flawlessly in them. Sadly, Golden Tiger 7.62x39 isn’t in stock as much as it used to be. 

What is the range of the Golden Tiger 7.62x39?

The Golden Tiger 7.62x39 is an effective combat round out to 400 yards. Beyond that, the FMJ projectile loses the speed and accuracy necessary to perform.

Is the 7.62x39 good for hunting?

Yes, but you need to pick a 7.62x39 cartridge designed for hunting. Here’s an article explaining what you should look for in a hunting round in detail.

Is Brown Bear also made at the Vympel ammo plant?

No. Brown Bear ammo is manufactured at the Barnaul plant in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Vympel plant manufactures Golden Tiger and Red Army Standard ammo.

What’s the difference between Norinco, Tula, and Golden Tiger ammo?

Norinco ammo has a steel core. It's Chinese ammo. Tula and Golden Tiger are both Russian ammo. Golden Tiger ammo is manufactured in Vympel and Tulammo is made at the Tula factory.