7.62x39 lightweight bullets

[GIJOEL]

So, I was looking for some pistol bullets and realized that .32 acp bullets are sized at .312 in. Anyone ever load these in 7.62x39? I've shot .311 and .312 bullets for the 7.7 arisaka and .303 brit, but what about a lighter handgun bullet? I doubt it would feed well, but could a 85-115 gr bullet do something that can't be done with 123-150gr rifle bullets?

 

[res45]

Lyman List 110 gr. J bullets and 115 gr. hard cast bullets for the 7.62 x 39. The E German and Chez X39 practice ammo uses 60 gr. and 46 gr. plastic core projectiles.

I don't see a problem as long as you keep the loads on the light side since pistol bullet jackets tend to be a bit thinner and usually not shot at rifle bullet velocities. I haven't tried any pistol bullets as of yet although I have some gas checked 32 cal. HP bullets I'm going to load in a few test rds.

My only experience to date with light bullets in the x39 cartridge is my 52 gr. sabot loads in my Chinese SKS and they cycled with no problem,accuracy wasn't to bad at 4" at 100 yds.

 

[mokin]

Those sabots look like fun. I have wondered about the .32 bullets as well but never tried them. I have loaded a lot of .303 British rounds with 123 grain bullets and had good results. I have had primers almost blow themselves out though. I noticed Berry's is making 110 grain bullets for the 7.62x39 but it is recommeded the velocity be kept below 1950 fps.

 

[FROGO207]

I have some 100 GR LRNFP bullets for the 32 H&R MAG revolver I have. I got them from Missouri Bullet. If the vel. is kept low there should be no problems using them in my SKS and if they can't be cycled I will just use them single shot by shutting off the gas port. When I do it I will post the results here. I think that I will try a loading with Trail Boss for one attempt and will research what other propellants are good choices before I start.

 

[1stmarine]

.32 ACP bullets might deform so I would leave the experimentation for the manufacturing folks.
To something that is challenged already from the poor ballistics standpoint then you reduce weight and ballistics coeficient then you end up with something that comes out literally with the landing flaps down. I wonder for the purpose of such rounds. If you want subsonic loads you to actually come up in grain and use a subsonic charge.
Just be safe whatever you do.
Cheers,
E.

 

[1stmarine]

I believe you can use these in the russian round...
http://www.hornady.com/store/303-Cal-.3105-174-gr-FMJ-BT/
I have not tried though but it would be worth the research.

 

[res45]

Speaking of heavy bullets I fired quiet a few of these out of my SKS rifles,there not subsonic but moving around 1500 fps. drop like a rock out past 100 yds. but they grouped pretty well inside of 100 yds. Pretty good thumper if nothing else.

 

[ljnowell]

32 ACP bullets might deform so I would leave the experimentation for the manufacturing folks.

Experimentation is at the heart of reloading. Some great things have been developed by ordinary guys experimenting.

 

[J_McLeod]

Sounds interesting. I have both and .32 acp pistol and a pair of 7.62x39mm rifles. With a well constructed jacketed bullet, one could probably get a lot of velocity out of it. Would you need a faster burning powder for the lighter bullet?

 

[1stmarine]

Yes I agree but look for lots of reliable data or run by QL or something.
I have seen several guns blow up in my life and it is not pretty.
Cheers,
E.

 

[ljnowell]

Yes I agree but look for lots of reliable data or run by QL or something.
I have seen several guns blow up in my life and it is not pretty.
Cheers,
E.

I agree Marine, experimenting must be done in a safe manner. One must exercise caution and follow reloading principles as far as pressure and working up a load from the bottom.

 

[J_McLeod]

I wonder if we could get one of the powder or bullet manufacturers to input something on this.

 

[1stmarine]

When possible check with both the powder and the bullet manufactures as they have great data. Also verify with other sources. Do not trust what you learn in occasional posts with few exceptions where you see real pros and always verify the data from one source to another at least in 2 or 3 places.

Here a few bookmarks I had and I found...

Be carefull with this data but I hope it helps to give you some ideas...
http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=66

Another favorite about this round I found....
http://www.gunsandammo.com/content/the-762x39

I found this an Interesting project...
http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/762ProjectRifle.html

Hodgdon only has 125 and 150 grainers...
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp



Cartridge: 7.62 x 39mm Russian
Load Type: Rifle
Starting Loads
Maximum Loads

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
125 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon BL-C(2) .311" 2.150" 30.0 2155 32,200 CUP 31.5 2349 38,800 CUP
125 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H335 .311" 2.150" 30.0 2219 35,400 CUP 31.5 2408 40,900 CUP
125 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H4895 .311" 2.150" 28.0 2171 29,900 CUP 29.0 2249 33,600 CUP
125 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H322 .311" 2.150" 28.0 2210 32,900 CUP 29.0 2323 35,400 CUP
125 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4198 .311" 2.150" 24.0 2250 42,500 CUP
125 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H4198 .311" 2.150" 24.5 2190 34,200 CUP 26.5 2378 40,400 CUP
125 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4227 .311" 2.150" 18.5 1995 44,100 CUP
150 GR. HDY SP Hodgdon BL-C(2) .312" 2.220" 27.0 1904 33,600 CUP 29.5 2090 40,400 CUP
150 GR. HDY SP Hodgdon H335 .312" 2.220" 27.0 2055 36,000 CUP 29.0 2132 42,500 CUP
150 GR. HDY SP Hodgdon H4895 .312" 2.220" 27.0 2080 33,600 CUP 28.0 2154 39,300 CUP
150 GR. HDY SP Hodgdon H322 .312" 2.220" 27.0 2084 34,200 CUP 28.5 2192 40,400 CUP
150 GR. HDY SP IMR IMR 4198 .311" 2.220" 22.5 2070 43,600 CUP
150 GR. HDY SP Hodgdon H4198 .312" 2.220" 22.5 1947 33,600 CUP 24.5 2122 39,800 CUP

 

[J_McLeod]

Interestingly, Lapua/Vitavouri has data for 57 and 100 gr bullets.

Weight Type Mfg. C.O.L. Type Weight Velocity Weight Velocity
[g] [grs] [mm] [in.] [g] [grs] [m/s] [fps] [g] [grs] [m/s] [fps]
3,7 57 ALS Lapua 55,7 2,193 N110 1,56 24,1 925 3035 1,78 27,5 997 3233
6,5 100 HP Lapua 55,4 2,181 N110 1,22 18,8 685 2247 1,41 21,8 772 2503
N120 1,65 25,5 688 2257 1,80 27,8 769 2494

It didn't copy and paste over too well, but it can be found here.
http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/downloads.php

Speer makes and 100gr Gold Dot bullet for the .32 ACP.

 

[1stmarine]

Keep us posted. Not sure of the purpose of the round but sure is interesting to research. What I heard in some forums is that it makes a great platform for subsonic loads but extreme care must be taken.
Always use good brass. By the way where do you find a good source of reloadable brass for the AK. x1 fired is ok too.

Cheers,
E.

 

[J_McLeod]

Slash k in Tucson had some last time I was there. I haven't actually started loading the 7.62x39mm yet. I'm just interested because I own two rifles that shoot it and god hooked on reloading a few months ago.

 

[J_McLeod]

My Lee manual also has loads for 100 gr, using accurate arms powders.

 

[1stmarine]

I was thinking that once concern with some inexpensive pistol bullets is that the jackets are not designed for the rate of twist in a rifle and might come apart. Just something to keep in mind but if it works I know how to get 1K 80gr pistol bullets for $80.
Cheers,
E.

 

[SHR970]

.32 ACP bullets might deform so I would leave the experimentation for the manufacturing folks.

If you use FMJ bullets, you need not worry much. I have recovered slugs that went through 3 layers of a '67 station wagon tailgate and were stopped by the rocky ground behind it. I still have three or four of them, they are deformed but what do you expect after that landing?

 

[J_McLeod]

My Lee manual lists 7.62x39mm as .311 and .32 ACP as .312. That could be a problem, unless you have a wide bore.

 

[1stmarine]

.303 british is .3105 and I heard folks use these in AK reloads but I do not have experience with this round. With NATO rounds yes but not the russians.

 

[res45]

The different between say US,Combloc and other foreign made 30. Cal. rifles is pretty much the same when measuring across the lands raised portion of the rifling this measurement designated as 7.62mm or 30 Cal. both equal .300" it can vary slightly but usually not much.

The difference comes when you measure across the grooves of said rifle which is the area lower between the lands of these various rifles,it can measure anywhere for .307" in some older US bores to 308.2 in Finn Mosin's to .316" in some of the Russian Mosin 54r rifles or up to .318 in 303 british.

My Yugo and Chinese SKS measure .300" across the land and .312 across the grooves so does my Mosin. My two groove Canadian Long Branch 303 measures .303" or 7.7mm across the lands and and .315" across the grooves,the lands which are the narrowest part of the 303 bore make up the majority of the bores dia. while the two grooves at .315" make up on very little. The bullet is compressed into an oval shape as it enters and leaves the bore, but shoot quiet accurately considering how it's deformed.

For my SKS rifle 123 gr. .310 dia. J bullets shoot the most accurately, .311's tend to open up just a bit but do ok in a pinch. My Mosin has basically the same barrel twist as the SKS rifles 1 in 9 but prefers the 150 gr. .311 dia. J bullets over the .310 The LB 303 like the .311's the best but will shoot the light .310 ok.

Light weight pistol bullets are just something I haven't gotten around to trying out in my SKS rifles as of yet. Not sure I will since my cast bullets fit the bill for plinking and small game.