I would like to load some accurate 7.62x39 ammo for shooting paper with a 'ZEPR K' rifle. I'm having trouble finding a FMJ 120-130 gr .311 bullet. I don't think the Hornady .310 shoots as well as a .311 and the other .311's offered by Sierra and Speer are soft nose bullets that tend to deform when feeding in a semi-auto. Lapua lists a 123 gr but I have yet to find anyone selling these.

Any help would be appreciated.

I'm not sure but didn't Speer make a 123gr FMJ?
just checked my Speer reloading manual no12 speer part no 2214 is a 123gr fmj made for the sks type rifle hope this helps

Try cast rn or fn boolits. Lyman #311008, a fn, drops .312 in ww, and Lee makes two heavier ones for it, too. A hard alloy like lino might minimize the trouble. I wonder if the problem is in the feed ramp and correctable with a Dremel tool. You shouldn't be having any nose deformation if it is feeding properly.

quote:

Originally posted by marks655:
Lapua lists a 123 gr but I have yet to find anyone selling these.

You can order the Lapua bullets on-line.

Vihtavuori-Lapua Products.asp

$140 per 1,000 for the .311/123gr. FMJ.

If you're in Canada, I may be able to help.

I noticed that Hornady dropped the .310 FMJ from their product line. Speer only shows the Spitzer bullet for the .311, but no FMJ.

I prefer the FMJ for the SKS myself.

quote:

You can order the Lapua bullets on-line.

Lapua no longer lists a FMJ in .311. I can't find anyone who does.

I guess I will start buying the softpoint stuff.

Mark, it's listed right here:

Lapua 123 gr. FMJ (.311")

It's Product # 4HL7045 on the chart.

Rifle Projectile Technical Chart

It's also on the Lapua site.

Lapua

Product # 4HL7045
7.91 mm (.311) FMJ 8.00 g/123 grs 0.280BC

quote:

Originally posted by DaMan:
Mark, it's listed right here:

Lapua 123 gr. FMJ (.311")

It's Product # 4HL7045 on the chart.

Rifle Projectile Technical Chart

It's also on the Lapua site.

Lapua

Product # 4HL7045
7.91 mm (.311) FMJ 8.00 g/123 grs 0.280BC

DaMan,

Your one post does show the FMJ listing, but the mail order link only shows the spitzer, and no listing for the FMJ.

I does seem odd that every manufacturer has dropped the 123 gr. FMJ style bullet for the 7.62x39. I understand that there is enough cheap ammo out there, that reloading is probably not very popular. Still, I find it hard to believe that all manufacturers have dropped their FMJ offerings at roughly the same time.

I would hate to try this, but the .308 Hornady 110 gr. V-Max may be my only alternative option for use in my SKS.

Your SKS should have no problem with heavier bullets, why not try some? I think you have hit the nail on the head about why the offerings are being dropped. With all the surplus ammo being dumped on the market, sales have dropped to the point where it is no longer profitable for them to be offered. It's actually cheaper to buy loaded 9mm's than to load them (unless you cast), and the 7.62x39 isn't far behind.

quote:

Your one post does show the FMJ listing, but the mail order link only shows the spitzer, and no listing for the FMJ.

Mike, Americans often confuse the term "spitzer" with "soft point" because most American bullets described as "spitzer" are usually "spitzer soft points".

Lapua uses the term "spitzer" to describe the shape of the projectile as a "pointed" bullet (vs. semi-spitzer, round nose, or other).

Product 4HL7045 (case quantity) and 4PL7045 (100 round box) are FMJ-Bullets and NOT softpoints.

These are what Lapua calls 'spitzer' bullets

Lapua designates soft points with "SP".

I have a .310 groove diameter barreled AR-15. It shoots .308 diameter i10s, 125s, and 130s as well as .310s and .311s. And yes, it shoots 147 grain nato bulk .308s and 150 grain M2 pulldowns as well with very nearly the same point of impact. Try IMR 4198 or AA 1680 and try a variety of these bullets and you will be pleased. Take several bullets and carefully twist them by hand into the muzzle to mark them. Measure the bore diameter thereby for some comparison. You will find most 30 caliber bullets at .308 or .3075 and a variety if the 31s at .3095 or 310. Of course you know a smaller bullet in a slightly bore often works well.

quote:

Originally posted by DaMan:

quote:

Your one post does show the FMJ listing, but the mail order link only shows the spitzer, and no listing for the FMJ.

Mike, Americans often confuse the term "spitzer" with "soft point" because most American bullets described as "spitzer" are usually "spitzer soft points".

Lapua uses the term "spitzer" to describe the shape of the projectile as a "pointed" bullet (vs. semi-spitzer, round nose, or other).

Product 4HL7045 (case quantity) and 4PL7045 (100 round box) are FMJ-Bullets and NOT softpoints.

These are what Lapua calls 'spitzer' bullets

Lapua designates soft points with "SP".

Thanks for the clarification on that, DaMan. I guess I better get a bunch before they disappear, too.

quote:

Thanks for the clarification on that, DaMan. I guess I better get a bunch before they disappear, too.

I would recommend getting a box of 100 and trying them out first. They're about $3 more per hundred than the Win. and Rem. .310" bullets for the 7.62 x39 of same weight.

Lapua is going to make these for many years to come for all the 7.62 x 39 shooters in Europe. No hurry to amass large quantities!

I appreciate your help. I did think 'spitzer' was in fact a hunting-style bullet.

Thanks again.

MSS

I tried to order some from Lapua last week through their web site. When I had not seen a transaction in my bank account by today, I called them to see what was up.....

They are out of the 123 gr. .311 FMJ bullets and won't have any for shipment till mid-April.

This is crap.

Mike, I called Kaltron-Pettibone (Lapua Distributor) and got the same story.

I did notice that MidwayUSA has 1 box of 100 left of the Hornady FMJ's.... but I just cannot see getting it now that Hornady has discontinued them. I would rather get a few hundred of a brand that will be around a few years from now.