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Evaluating Ethiopian Ammunition: A Detailed Analysis

The recent importation of a quantity of Ethiopian ammunition by Century International Arms has provided an opportunity to conduct an in-depth assessment of performance and characteristics. Manufactured from 1977 through 1985 at the Emperor Haile Selassie Ammunition Factory, Addis Ababa, this ammunition was made for use in Ethiopian BM59 and M14 rifles and machine guns. The factory was originally established with Czech technical aid in the late 1940s.

The velocity of the Ethiopian ammunition was tested using a 7.62x51mm Israeli K98k Mauser rifle with a 23.6-inch barrel. Velocity readings were taken 10 feet from the muzzle with a sample of 15 rounds. The results were an average velocity of 2637 fps, with an extreme spread of 143 fps (maximum 2689 fps to minimum 2546 fps) and a standard deviation of 33.29 fps. What was interesting was that at least half the rounds produced a slight hang fire; however, all the rounds did fire upon the first strike of the primer.

Weights were established with a calibrated Lyman electronic scale. Averaged, the bullets weighed 143.4 grains, with an extreme spread of 1.7 grains (maximum 144.4 grains to a minimum of 142.7 grains) with a standard deviation of 0.52 grains. The bullets have a boat tail configuration and an open base; the lead core is encapsulated with gilding metal over a steel jacket and, as such, they are magnetic.

The production period of the Ethiopian ammunition was during a period of low reliability of various military firearms. For example, some Lewis gun prototypes exploded during endurance tests and accordingly, gunners refused to handle them even after being reassembled.

Similarly, early production runs of the Browning Automatic Rifle had problems with incorrectly tempered springs and non-interchangeable magazines; these were improved upon after the war. As this detailed assessment shall show, there are both strengths and areas of caution in Ethiopian ammunition. While performance at velocity and bullet weight is quite satisfactory, cases of hangfires and corrosive primers call for necessary consideration. This analysis offers a great deal to the military historian and firearms enthusiast alike.

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