I've been experimenting with loading the 7.62x39 russian round for a little while. I have an AR chambered in this that's dead-on with good ammo.
Any favorite loads? Also, have any of you tried bullets heavier than 123-5 gr.? I've seen load data for 150's, but I'm hesitant as to whether the weight/velocity ratio is a waste...? Maybe for longer range stuff?
7.62X39...a commercial load with bullet weight of 220grn roundnose exists. It is called "JackHammer" I believe. it's developed for AR-15, a subsonic load that enhences full-auto controllability.
Posts: 638 | Location: O Canada! | Registered: 21 December 2001
I tried for many months to get a mini-30 to shoot! Nothing I tried would shoot under 4" UNTIL I tried some 1680 accurate powder. Then it would shoot 1.5 to 2". 1680 is very dense, perfect for the small powder capacity of the 7.62x39. For plinking I used the 130 gr. hornady spire point. For hunting I used the 125 gr. BT.
------------------ if you run, you just die tired
Posts: 596 | Location: Oshkosh, Wi USA | Registered: 28 July 2001
I have been using a load of the .311" 180 grain Speer roundnose and 28.5 grains of H335. In my Mini-30, this produced 1980 feet per second @ 15', or about the same speed as the original 1894 vintage 165 grain .30/30 Winchester load, which was considered really something in its day. This load also shoots accurately in my SKS rifles.
Anybody loading a cast lead bullet to an accurate load in 7.62x39? I have been trying to find something under minute of paper plate with Lee's 155 grain .312 mold and had no luck at all with several powders....
"Fear of the Lord is wisdom" Job 28:28
Posts: 345 | Location: NY | Registered: 01 July 2002
I was wondering why you quit reloading the 7.62x39? I was thinking about starting reloading them (mostly because of local availability). I would like to know what I'm getting myself into.
I load 7.62x39 with 150 gr Core Lokt and RL7 using the min charge. I loaded some up for a pig shoot and found they were pretty damn accurate in my 16" AR upper! So, I just stuck with the min load.
I have a jug of H322 and some Hornady 130s. I think I'll put some 130gr loads together. Anyone use H322 with 130s or 150s?
I have a Yugo mini mauser that I used for pig culling. No matter what ammo I used, whether factory or reloaded in many combinations, I could never get it to print under 3" @ 100 yds. off the bench. Just accepted the fact that it was a handy pig gun since all shots were under 100 yds. Handloads were usually AA 1680 or the old Win. 680, and IMR 4227 with Rem. 125gr. sp .310 bulk bullets.
Shooter
Posts: 619 | Location: Mossyrock, WA | Registered: 25 April 2004
I have a 7.62x39 on an AR15 platform, 16" barrel topped with a 2-7 Leupold. This rifle with very little load development shoots 123, 125 and 130 grain bullets in .311" and .308" diameters to .75"-1.5" groups, 5 shots at 100 yards. TAC is my powder of choice for accuracy and velocity. I found it really easy to load for precise ammo and yet I can run the cheap stuff through it as well.
Posts: 5603 | Location: Eastern plains of Colorado | Registered: 31 October 2005
Originally posted by Mssgn: Anybody loading a cast lead bullet to an accurate load in 7.62x39? I have been trying to find something under minute of paper plate with Lee's 155 grain .312 mold and had no luck at all with several powders....
Update: The .312 cast bullet with a lube and an aluminum gas check over 13.5 grains of 2400 is very accurate in my SKS. But is not quite enough power to cycle the action reliably. 13.8 - 13.9 grains cycle the action beautifully but accuracy suffers opening my 100 yard groups up from about 3 inches at 100 yards to about 5 inches at 100 yards. Which is still not absolutely terrible with iron sites and a beater SKS in my opinion.... Especially given that my home cast bullets may not all be perfect....
"Fear of the Lord is wisdom" Job 28:28
Posts: 345 | Location: NY | Registered: 01 July 2002
