7.62x39 hunting load workup results

beeenbag · Jul 6, 2019

okay guys, so shooting was done at 100 yards, from a bipod, no rear bag so I’m sure the groups could be better but here’s what I got.

Bullet: 123 .310 Speer gold dot
Brass: starline new (full length sized)
C.O.L: 2.195
Primer: federal match LR
Powder: cfe blk
Firearm: ruger American ranch
Optic: Nikon 3x9
5-shot groups

Charges are written on the target, considering I know I pulled the low shot on the top right group, which load would you go with?

Any advice moving forward?

Keep in mind I really don’t want super tight bolt close, and want hunting reliability as well.

Sorry for the hard to read writing

GaryL · Jul 6, 2019

I've never seen a 1" pattern by anything in 7.62x39. Now I'll have to keep an eye out for a unicorn.

<*(((>< · Jul 6, 2019

GaryL said:
I've never seen a 1" pattern by anything in 7.62x39. Now I'll have to keep an eye out for a unicorn.

There’s plenty of 1” or less 7.62x39’s out there. With the bolt guns and Ar47’s it’s not uncommon.

The round has a bad rap from combloc parts kits of old.

<*(((>< · Jul 6, 2019

Top right group has less vertical stringing and if you pulled that bottom shot that’s an excellent group.

It would be nice to load up and down at lower increment from your 29.7 to see if it lands within a node.

joneb · Jul 6, 2019

I've had some 1.5" groups with wolf 123gr FMJ in my RAR, some of the cheap steel case stuff groups well if you don't count the flyers.

I did some reloading for 7.62x39 with Xtreme's 123gr plated FP and H-4198 with good results using a Lee collet crimp R-P small prime brass with a CCI 400 and 450 primers, these were grouping around 1" @ 100 yds in the RAR but the POI at 1,950 fps shoot about 3" lower than a 2,350 fps load with a jacket bullet.

I'm reloading so the ammunition can be used in a SKS with a floating firing pin so I've been using CCI 400, 450 and 200's, and the bullets are crimped.
With Nosler's 123gr .310" # VG7725 and Accurate 1680 I'm getting sub moa accuracy with a mv of around 2,375 fps, so beeenbag's results don't surprise me.

beeenbag · Jul 6, 2019

joneb said:
I've had some 1.5" groups with wolf 123gr FMJ in my RAR, some of the cheap steel case stuff groups well if you don't count the flyers.

I did some reloading for 7.62x39 with Xtreme's 123gr plated FP and H-4198 with good results using a Lee collet crimp R-P small prime brass with a CCI 400 and 450 primers, these were grouping around 1" @ 100 yds in the RAR but the POI at 1,950 fps shoot about 3" lower than a 2,350 fps load with a jacket bullet.

I'm reloading so the ammunition can be used in a SKS with a floating firing pin so I've been using CCI 400, 450 and 200's, and the bullets are crimped.
With Nosler's 123gr .310" # VG7725 and Accurate 1680 I'm getting sub moa accuracy with a mv of around 2,375 fps, so beeenbag's results don't surprise me.

I have some varmageddons to try but wanted to test the gold dot first as it would be my first choice for deer hunting. The varmageddons would be for paper only for me.

joneb · Jul 6, 2019

beeenbag said:
The varmageddons would be for paper only for me.

They do a number on rock chucks and coyotes.

beeenbag · Jul 6, 2019

joneb said:
They do a number on rock chucks and coyotes.

No doubt, unfortunately I don’t hunt either of those. Have to take vacation time to deer hunt as is. Granted the 7.62x39 ruger ranch won’t be my primary hunting rifle either, but if I’m going to set up a bolt gun, it’s going to be for deer hunting or paper punching. I’m developing this rifle as a low recoil alternative for the youngens in my household. My oldest daughter won’t give up her 300 blackout AR but I have 3 more kids coming up in age as well.

troy fairweather · Jul 6, 2019

i'd like to try the sierra pro hunters on day in my cz, this is a 100 yard group with the sights and tula sp,

Jesse Heywood · Jul 6, 2019

If you're hunting the game won't know the difference. Pick the one you like the best.

My Chinese (com block) SKS will shoot groups that can be covered with a quarter.

NR53 · Jul 6, 2019

like the 29.7 gr. , but with it being new brass, you'll have to do it all over again with fired brass. I've got the same rifle and have the same powder and bullet loaded in fired Federal brass using 29 grains with the same accuracy. BTW, nice shooting!

beeenbag · Jul 6, 2019

NR53 said:
like the 29.7 gr. , but with it being new brass, you'll have to do it all over again with fired brass. I've got the same rifle and have the same powder and bullet loaded in fired Federal brass using 29 grains with the same accuracy. BTW, nice shooting!

Not if you have enough new brass to get you to and through hunting season

Luckily this rifle shoots well enough with cheap steel case ammo that I can selectively reload for it.

NR53 · Jul 6, 2019

Sounds like a plan!!

Lennyjoe · Jul 6, 2019

123 gr Hornady FMJ over Reloader 7 out of my 16” AR 15 in 7.62x39 @ 100 yards. Shame on me for the 1 flyer.

joneb · Jul 6, 2019

troy fairweather said:
this is a 100 yard group with the sights and tula sp

Was that with the 123gr or the 154gr?

troy fairweather · Jul 6, 2019

joneb said:
Was that with the 123gr or the 154gr?

the 123 i still have to ty the 154's

joneb · Jul 7, 2019

"Or all your primers in a glass jar! - rcmodel"
Wow, I just noticed this and my heart sank. I miss that guy.

beeenbag · Jul 7, 2019

joneb said:
"Or all your primers in a glass jar! - rcmodel"
Wow, I just noticed this and my heart sank. I miss that guy.

I do as well. He was a wealth of knowledge and had the ability to transfer that knowledge better than anyone. He set the bar for being “highroad”.

Jesse Heywood · Jul 7, 2019

^^^ Amen to that.

Random 8 · Jul 7, 2019

I would shoot the fastest one, assuming it is the one with the highest charge. All your groups are quite good for deer sized game within the reasonable range limits of the cartridge/rifle, so in this case, velocity does trump.

beeenbag · Jul 7, 2019

Random 8 said:
I would shoot the fastest one, assuming it is the one with the highest charge. All your groups are quite good for deer sized game within the reasonable range limits of the cartridge/rifle, so in this case, velocity does trump.

That’s what I’m thinking as well.

Bfh_auto · Jul 8, 2019

beeenbag said:
Not if you have enough new brass to get you to and through hunting season

Luckily this rifle shoots well enough with cheap steel case ammo that I can selectively reload for it.

I would definitely retest to see what it does without a pulled shot. Either way, each group was more than adequate for deer inside 7.62x39 range.
I'm a huge believer in the most accurate load over the fastest except in close range hunting. I'll give up a 1/2 inch if it's never over 1 1/2 at 100.

CarJunkieLS1 · Jul 9, 2019

OP that bullet and any of those loads will serve you well. I have a 16" AR and a AR pistol that shoot the factory loaded federal fusion very well and it's basically the same bullet. I've had great performance from that bullet. And I've stocked up on the bullet as a component because I don't see Speer making that .310 123 Gold Dot forever.

7.62x39 hunting load workup results

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads