7.62X39 loading ???

[longtooth]

Just got an SKS. Have not even shot it yet. Will load for it like everything else.
I have several manuals & Hogden manual. No loads in any of them w/ Varget.
I reall would rather not buy another powder. Does not have to be a tack driver load. House & defense rifle.

What cha got guys & thanks in advance???
LT

 

[R.W.Dale]

Varget may not nececcarily be too slow. But it is too bulky to get enough in a x39 case to give satisfactory performance.

You'll need another powder

look at aa1680

 

[Shoney]

The problem I have is finding reloadable brass that costs less than loaded cartridges. Until I do, my 7.92X39 dies will remain unused.

 

[distra]

I use A1680, 22-25 grains depending on bullet weight. I load .308 or .310 bullets, best accuracy for my SKS has been Hornady 123gr FMJ. Sierra 150gr .308 is not too bad either, but the 123gr FMJ is the best.

 

[armoredman]

24 grains of AA1680 under a Hornady 123gr Spirepoint works very well in my vz-58.

 

[longtooth]

OK guys & thanks a bunch. I was thinking along the line of crushing powder being the reason.

Guess I'll be gettin another powder.

 

[Afy]

Try N120

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

all good tips here. I load for a Mini30 and for 150gr Speer flat base SP's 322 has produced the tightest groups, don't have a chrono to see fps but it's a compressed load.
I don't trust the 123gr sp's for any further than 100 yds on big deer and even at that the 150's I load no further than 200 unless a broadside shot presents.

 

[rfwobbly]

There are several issues loading for the Russian....
• Finding a powder (mentioned)
• Finding boxer brass (mentioned)
• Finding the right bullet. Most of these Russian guns are .310 to .313 bore, not .308 as you might first think. Slug the bore to be sure. Hornady makes a good selection of .312 bullets for 30-30 and others, but you're probably not going to be able to use no-name bulk .308 bullets to any good effect.

Hope this helps!

 

[greyling22]

how are you planning on finding your spent cases to reload them? my sks' put them anywhere in a 25' circle around me. It's the only gun I don't reload for for just that very reason.

 

[R.W.Dale]

how are you planning on finding your spent cases to reload them? my sks' put them anywhere in a 25' circle around me. It's the only gun I don't reload for for just that very reason.

Easy solution to this for all sks'es

remove the gas piston

this one simple lil thing saves your brass and turns the SKS into a straight pull repeater and can be reversed in seconds when you're done at the range

 

[greyling22]

no gas piston? would that blow gas directly against the bolt etc and be dirty?

 

[R.W.Dale]

No because you leave the intermediate rod and return spring in the rear sight base/carrier

 

[rfwobbly]

The Yugo SKS has a adjustable port at the front of the gun that allows you to shoot RPGs. Setting that selector port will turn a Yugo SKS into a single shot.

 

[Hesenwine]

Winchester and Remington both sell 7.62X39 brass. I have some of each. Remington brass uses small primers so I don't use it anymore.

 

[janobles14]

as for powder i dont think youll find a better one for the 7.62x39 that BLC2

 

[R.W.Dale]

as for powder i dont think youll find a better one for the 7.62x39 that BLC2

Sure you can. Have you tried other powders. I have and AA1608 and N-120 both outperform bl-c2 by a wide margin.

In fact 1680 was designed for 7.62x39

 

[janobles14]

In fact 1680 was designed for 7.62x39

yes but while it gives more than adequate velocity i find aa1608 to be less than consistent.

 

[R.W.Dale]

yes but while it gives more than adequate velocity i find aa1608 to be less than consistent.

Ive experienced no such issues.

What brass are you using?

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

haven't tryed blc2 but it's near 322 and loading it under 150gr slugs it's heavily compressed.
for 123gr 1680 is likely best, 4198 may be good also. I'm still useing my last 8lb jug of 680.

 

[armoredman]

I have gotten good results with H335 and H4895, but AA 1680 really takes the cake in my humble opinion.

 

[janobles14]

What brass are you using?

1x fired winchester

 

[R.W.Dale]

in my opinion there's some of your problem.

There's no reason on earth to use what amounts to use super hyper magnum primer relative to the powder charge for this cartridge. I did some experimentation with my 7.62x39 bench gun and found that going to a LR primer spiked pressures dramataclly and threw shot to shot constancy out the window case life was in the toilet as well.

unfortunately Remington in their infinite wisdom decided to be lemmings and go to a LR primer as well. So now folks wanting to explore this cartridges potential are saddled with no choice but to use incosistant cases that won't hold pressure nearly as well

 

[ar10]

The problem I have is finding reloadable brass that costs less than loaded cartridges. Until I do, my 7.92X39 dies will remain unused.

I have the same problem, most of the 7.62 brass is Berdan and what isn't is steel, I still find and keep the SR brass but not as much as I used too.
I also like the 1680 powder.

 

[jjohnson]

+1 With Krochus

...who said

[In fact 1680 was designed for 7.62x39
/QUOTE]

Yes - indeed - 1680 is the powder that all others are to be measured against.

According to QuickLoad, the best you're going to do with Varget is about 75% of your powder burned by the time the bullet leaves the barrel with anything like a standard load. That's with a suitable bullet and stuffing the case absolutely full of Varget. You really ARE going to have to get another powder, and 1680 is the one to start with.