7.62 x 39 Loads...?

29 January 2002, 07:52

<pistoleero>

7.62 x 39 Loads...?

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?

28 February 2002, 11:12

<conman>

i've had good luck in my SKS with Sierra .311 150gr SPT, H335, WLR primers and new Winchester cases

typically will shoot around 1 1/2" at 50 yds with iron sights

28 February 2002, 13:00

Aquavit

I like the 125gr Hornady with a full charge of Reloader 7.

01 March 2002, 18:57

Pyrotek

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.

02 March 2002, 03:25

Major Caliber

I gave up reloading for the 7.62x39, I bought a 1000rds of Wolf hp for $66 delivered. Reloading the 7.62x39 for me, means open another box of Wolf!

02 March 2002, 04:54

Aquavit

Where are you getting 1000 round packs of Wolf for $66 delivered?

02 March 2002, 14:12

Major Caliber

quote:
Originally posted by Aquavit:
Where are you getting 1000 round packs of Wolf for $66 delivered?

sportsmanguide had a deal for their Gude members, they are sold out right now.

03 March 2002, 03:52

grizz

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

03 March 2002, 06:04

R-WEST

grizz -

What are the particulars on the load are you using?

R-WEST

03 March 2002, 10:31

<eldeguello>

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.

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Larry

14 May 2013, 18:57

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....

15 May 2013, 04:24

308Sako

I shoot 2 unusual 7.62 x 39's. A custom Sako small action and a Colt 16" AR.

Both love 25 grains of AA 1680 and a 123/125 grain bullet.

15 May 2013, 08:58

Cowboy_Dan

Major Caliber,

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.

18 May 2013, 21:05

Wendell Reich

Wow, this was an old thread!

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?

18 May 2013, 21:50

plainsman456

I was going to say try some H322.

Some where i have loads wrote down i did years ago.

Need to look in to getting a file system for all of these things.

04 May 2020, 19:54

Mssgn

I've had good luck with 123 gr. jacketed bullets using BLC2 and R7. Still haven't found a great load with cast bullets but I'm still looking for one!

04 May 2020, 20:51

geoff

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.

10 May 2020, 06:55

Snellstrom

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.

14 May 2020, 18:31

Mssgn

quote:
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....