It may be! Get a pin and stick it in the hollow point and rub it against the inside of the jacket. If its smooth, you got normal russian, but if you feel "segments" you got the 8M3! (and congrats)
BTW that early Russian stuff may actually be corrosive despite the label

 

Ok this is the best pictures I can take with my phone. It does feel segmented inside the cavity.

 

I think the bullets are the "8HP" boat tail hollow point bullets. I think they are very similar to the 8M3 but maybe they don't have the serrations on the inside? Either way, good ammo and a great buy at only $6/box. I would have bought it all if it was $10/box!

 

all..in one heart bea,t reaching for cash!

 

It came in a couple of different package styles out of Russia. The typical 660 round spam cans and also in smaller generic "battle packs" that have 120 (160?) rounds. There are also different bullet weights, headstamps, and styles of sealant.

 

headstamps?. 8hp has fewer cuts inside than 8m3 but just as good.

 

The second picture I uploaded has a headstamp of "3" over "94"

 

Its not the good stuff, I shot tons of both, and found enough 8HP to load 180 rounds or it, and Norinco steel core into 12 mags for some war ammo.

All of these were clearly labled, while it MAY be loaded with the nasty projos, its not guaranteed.

M3 or HP both will go for a buck a round now, the old stuff, not the new.

 

I agree, it does look like it has grooves on the inside. The only way to know for certain is to dissect one.

 

The 8M3 boxes are marked with the word "effect". The cases have red lacquer sealant on the primers and case mouth. The head stamp on the old school real deal has the ULY logo and 7.62x39. I bought a case just before the Clinton ban and stii have around 600 rounds. Bad ass ammo for sure.

 

I have several cases of the blue and white box Ulyanovsk 8M3 "Effect" cartridges but had no real idea, until now, that it was enjoying a cult following.

I also bought enough of the regular Uly HP because, at the time, it was unique and plentiful.
I shall keep the 8M3 in the back of the hoard and shoot the newer stuff, and meditate on its potential $1.00 per round possibilities. . . .

 

The real deal....