Hornady’s Black line in 5.45x39mm (part no. 81247) loads a 60-grain V-Max bullet, giving AK-74 pattern rifles a genuinely accurate, expanding option instead of the surplus FMJ ammunition the cartridge is often associated with. Hornady selects the best bullet option for each caliber and application in the Black line, whether the rifle is suppressed or unsuppressed, supersonic or subsonic, rifle, mid-length, carbine, or pistol-length. Special clean-burning propellants keep the load consistent and reduce fouling across a range session. This rifle ammunition brings genuine performance ammunition to a cartridge more often loaded down to a budget price point.

Key Specifications

• The chambering is 5.45x39mm, the standard AK-74 pattern rifle cartridge.
• The bullet weighs 60 grains, a lighter, rapid-expansion weight for the cartridge.
• The bullet type is V-Max, a polymer-tipped design built for rapid expansion and accuracy.
• Hornady markets this under its Black line, optimized across supersonic, subsonic, and suppressed use.
• The case material is brass, giving reliable extraction and standard reloading compatibility.
• The ignition system is centerfire, the standard reliable primer type for rifle ammunition.
• Cost runs about $1.02 per round, reasonable pricing for a brass-cased performance load in this caliber.
• Each box holds 20 rounds, a practical count for a range session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this load built for AK-74 pattern rifles? Yes, 5.45x39mm is the standard AK-74 cartridge, and this Black loading gives those rifles a genuinely accurate, expanding option beyond surplus FMJ ammunition.

What does the V-Max bullet’s polymer tip do? It initiates rapid expansion on impact, a real step up in terminal performance from typical steel-core surplus ammunition in this caliber.

Buy Hornady Black 5.45x39mm 60gr V-Max

A cartridge often loaded down to a budget price point deserves at least one genuine performance option, and Black is built to be exactly that. Order from our Lubbock, Texas gun shop and it ships fast to your door.