I heard on the grapevine that Hornady’s steel cased V-Max 5.45×39 and 7.62×39 ammunition has since the beginning of this year been loaded in lacquered steel cases, versus the polymer-coated steel cases that had been the basis for Hornady’s ammunition in those two Russian calibers previously. Sam of SG Ammo confirmed this rumor, and I promptly put in an order for some 5.45×39 V-Maxes.

Lacquered steel ammunition is more weather-resistant than its polymer-coated steel cased counterparts. Hornady has made the right choice requesting lacquered cases from their Russian supplier, and 5.45×39 caliber rifle owners in particular now have access to a modern expanding/fragmenting round they can store for long periods without worry of rust or corrosion.