CAUTION!!!
On the program “PBS Newshour” last night (22 July, 2012) they showed an interview with some Syrian Rebels. They were sorting piles of 7.62x39 by looking at the headstamp. They said they were looking for EXPLOSIVE rounds. They then demonstrated what they were looking for by igniting the “gun powder” of two different rounds. One was regular smokeless powder and burned normally. The other one was a mostly white powder and EXPLODED when lit. They claimed it was TNT from Syrian Government FACTORY loaded cartridges. These explosive cartridges were being left behind for the Rebels to selvage and try to use. The person being interviewed claimed 2 of his men had been killed when using the cartridges and their guns blew up. Unfortunately they did not show the headstamp they were searching for.
I can only think that sometime in the future when “Battlefield Cleanup” is done and the ammunition is sold on the surplus market that some of these TNT loaded rounds could be mixed in. Personally, I would not fire any Syrian made ammo that was produced during this conflict.