Sellier & Bellot, Prvi Partizan and the Steel-Case Importers: Central Europe's Cartridge Makers

A surprising share of the ammunition for old military and European sporting cartridges still comes from the factories that supplied the rifles.

Much of the ammunition for old military and European sporting cartridges comes from Central and Eastern Europe, where the rifles were issued and the factories stayed open.

Czech and Serbian houses

Sellier & Bellot, founded in Prague in 1825, is one of the oldest ammunition makers still operating. It loads the 9.3x72R, a rimmed round for break-action rifles, at sellier & bellot 9.3x72r ammo. It also loads the 22 Hornet, at sellier & bellot 22 hornet ammo.

Prvi Partizan, from Serbia, supplies the Hungarian 8x56R and the 8mm Mauser alongside many other older calibers. Its 208-grain 8x56R loads are at 8x56r 208 grain ammo. The 8mm Mauser range is at 8mm mauser ammo.

The steel-case importers

Much 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R reaches the market in steel cases from Russian factories, imported under names such as Wolf. Steel is a cheaper case material than brass and works in the rifles these rounds were designed for. Wolf's 7.62x39 loads are at wolf 7.62x39 ammo. The 7.62x54R range is at 7.62x54r ammo for sale.

Some ranges ban steel-case ammunition, so ask before you bring it.

Modern specialists

FK BRNO, a Czech firearms maker, loads its own lead-free 7.5 FK, and those loads are at 7.5 fk lead-free ammo. Heavy 342-grain bullets in the 8.6 Blackout, at 8.6 blackout 342 grain ammo, show what a small specialist can bring to a new cartridge.

American houses carry the sporting cartridges. The 22-250 is at 22-250 ammunition. The 25-06's 117-grain loads are at 25-06 117 grain ammo.

Why the maker matters

Different makers load the same cartridge with different bullets and, sometimes, to different pressures. Two boxes marked 8mm Mauser may differ in bullet weight and construction, so compare the stated weight and type rather than buying on the cartridge name alone.

Commercial loads from these houses are normally non-corrosive, but surplus ammunition is another matter, so read the box.

Makers add and drop loads over time. Read the bullet weight and type on the box, and confirm current stock and state shipping restrictions before ordering.