7.62x39 Surprise :)

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CarJunkieLS1

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Guys whoever said the 7.62x39 isn't capable of being accurate, well they lied. I've got a AR Stoner 7.62x39 upper 16" barrel that is a factory stock as they come. I wouldn't have it any other way lol. I like the cartridge and this rifle has been 100% reliable and very accurate. I've shot Russian steel case of many types, my reloads and Factory Federal Fusion. I have not been able to find a combo that can beat the fusion in the accuracy and velocity department. 3-9x40 scope shot 3 shots at 100 yards and velocity was 2422,2427,2426. 20190914_114101.jpg
If anyone hasn't tried Federal Fusions in their 7.62x39 I can't recommend them enough. 2425ish fps with that bonded bullet should make a nice mild recoiling deer rifle.
 
Between the CZ 527 American and the Ruger Ranch rifle, (both available in 7.62x39); I sure would like something in that chambering other than a couple SKS's . Would make a very neat deer rifle, and I already have the dies to load it. From what I've seen on the internet and from one 7.62x39 Ranch Rifle owner I spoke with it's no slouch in the accuracy dept.. I wouldn't expect stellar accuracy out of an SKS regardless of what chambering it's in but a light, handy bolt gun in x39 will really get my attention. When the Ranch Rifle first came out in 7.62x39 I saw my first one at a gun show and almost bought it on the spot. Had to force myself to walk away.
 
My ruger ranch 7.62x39 is probably one of my favorite rifles for its great accuracy with every ammo it gets, short handy package and it shoots hand loads like a bench rest gun. Here’s what it can do with gold dots.
View attachment 860279

My gun shoots CFE BLK and the Speer Gold Dots I'm only using 28 grains of it so I have room to go up. My 28 grain load is ~80fps slower than the Fusions. Until I shoot the 6 boxes of Fusions I have I probably won't shoot any reloads in it. Federal got this one right.
 
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... I wouldn't expect stellar accuracy out of an SKS regardless of what chambering it's in...

Chinese and Russian SKS often are lacking in the pin-point accuracy department, though swaping out to tech sights can definitely help out. A Yugo might surprise you, though. Under 2 MOA with good ammo isn't unusual for many of them. If you had a hankering for an SKS, those heavy guns might be a better choice if hitting smaller targets is the goal. However I wouldn't be scouring the earth for them at today's prices when great AR and bolt guns are readily available in 7.62x39.
 
My gun shoots CFE BLK and the Speer Gold Dots I'm only using 28 grains of it so I have room to go up. My 28 grain load is ~80fps slower than the Fusions. Until I shoot the 6 boxes of Fusions I have I probably won't shoot any reloads in it. Federal got this one right

This is what I recorded from my 16" AR15 with CFE BLK and a 125 nosler loaded in fiochi brass cases.

29 grains yielded 2520 FPS
29.5 yielded 2570
30 yielded 2610

Note the max load listed by hodgdon is 29.7. I started at 28 but did not chronograph it. I have not tried the gold dots but if you are not seeing any pressure indication perhaps turn it up a little.

My adventure in 7.62x39 reloading

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...case-7-62x39-for-hunting-with-cfe-blk.843198/
 
AK's and SKS were never meant to be target rifles, but that didn't meant the x39 cartridge couldn't be accurate. It's nice to see that companies are making accurate 7.62x39 rifles, mostly bolt actions, but the 7.62x39 crowd seems to be driving the AR market to offer more options.

And with this push the ammo manufacturers need to start looking at making good quality soft points for hunting. Right now all I know of is Federal Fusion and PPU. I'm sure Fusion works, it's just expensive and PPU I have no idea. All the ammo makers want to do right now is stuff like .350 Legend because it caters to the AR market.
 
You’ll pay for it. You’re money way ahead to roll your own.
I have an aversion to reloading 7.62x39. It's a great cartridge because it's a good performer and it's cheap, but if I'm going to spend time and money on the materials, I'd be better off reloading .308, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, something with better ballistics.
 
I tried various rounds years ago in the SKS and mini 30, and never got any results worth a hoot. Glad there are things out there now that can get the job done.
 
I have an aversion to reloading 7.62x39. It's a great cartridge because it's a good performer and it's cheap, but if I'm going to spend time and money on the materials, I'd be better off reloading .308, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, something with better ballistics.
It is a great cartridge. For the reasons you said. But it’s not known as a “hunting” round. When the manufacturers start making it so, the price will reflect it. Like what you find with the Fusion ammo. Money ahead to reload or buy Wolf/Tula SP’s.
 
I have an aversion to reloading 7.62x39.[...] something with better ballistics.
I can see your point, but IME it's not just the ballistics or we'd all be shooting .300 Weatherby Mag handloads. Some of my all-time favorite, lightweight and quick handling rifles - mainly Mini 30 with a few tweaks - are chambered for it and they're just the ticket for driven and stalked deer in woodland terrain and up to 200-250yd shooting distances.
Suitable off-the-shelf ammo can be difficult to find and a slight compromise, which can easily be overcome by rolling your own.

As far as accuracy potential is concerned, 7.62x39 is the parent case of .220 Russian, which evolved to .22PPC and eventually the legendary benchrest caliber, 6mm PPC. Quality x39 rifle with quality ammo can be amazingly accurate and this thread is just the tip of the iceberg.
 
When I was looking for hunting loads I stopped at my local favorite sporting goods dept. Huge selection of ammo except for x39. Bunch of Wolf FMJ or FMJ HP.
One selection of 125gr Soft Point Rem Core Lokts at $28 / bx. :what:

Promptly bought a set of dies, some CFE BLK and two weights of .311 Speers

Now I have 3 loads that shoot MOA and 2 sub-MOA loads
 
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I have had good success with the Wolf 154gr softpoints out of my SKS.

I've shot several deer with my AK using Tula 154 grain soft points once I got over the world's objection to using an AK for hunting. Blew a golf ball size hole out the far side of the rib cage, busting a couple ribs on the way out. A clean shot and they don't get far. I don't see the point in expensive hunting ammo for sub 100 yard shots unless your gun doesn't like steel case or you are trying for pinpoint accuracy.
 
I built up an ar in 7.62x39 and fell in love with the cartridge. Who wouldn't love cheap blasting ammo that groups 1.5-2 inches and better ammo about an inch, (and I am by no means a great rifle shot)

I picked up some prvi partisan soft points for around 12/box that I plan to use for deer season this year, assuming they shoot as good or better than the "crappy" steel case. Reviews were favorable for deer hunting.

I am already dreaming my next gun in this caliber!
 
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