This late ammunition is very similar to the earlier Polish steel core light ball evaluated elsewhere on this site.  However, there are noticeable differences in the bullets used.  This later bullet is .311" in diameter as opposed to .310" and the cannelure has a distinctive knurled pattern.  The ballistic coefficient is also an impressive 0.538 as opposed to 0.447 which is remarkable itself among surplus ammunition.  The ammunition itself is clean and reliable although there was one primer in approximately 65 rounds fired that failed to ignite.  The firing pin strike was deep and it's possible that the anvil within the case was deformed.  Accuracy is good in all the test rifles but optimum performance was achieved in the intermediate length M28 and M91/30.

Funding for this evaluation was provided by "Cacique500" of Gunboards.com.  Thanks to "Springbank" for range assistance.

(Reference number 033)

Package
20 rounds per paper wrap	440 rounds per spam can
880 rounds per wooden crate	880 rounds per wooden crate

Measured Muzzle Velocity in Feet per Second (10 shot string)
Rifle	M44	M28	M91/30	M91 (Finnish)	M91 (Russian)
Low	2594	2756	2797	2788	2729
High	2667	2797	2874	2878	2827
Average	2636	2782	2831	2815	2776
Extreme Spread	73	41	77	90	98
Standard Deviation	31	18	26	27	29
Trajectory and Drop Graph (click on the thumbnails)
Notes on the graphs  The graphs above each represent two sets of data.  The red line is the path of the bullet fired from the rifle with the sights zeroed at 200 yards.   The bullet exits the muzzle at a distance a fraction of an inch below zero inches.   This represents the height of the sight over the centerline of the bore.  The bullet rises above zero in a trajectory that then passes through zero again at 200 yards and continues downward.  The blue line is the the bullet drop in inches for the distance traveled.  This begins at the muzzle at zero inches and decreases with distance not taking sight height or zero distance into account.