Best powder(s) for 7.62x39

[Toprudder]

Getting ready to work up my first loads in 7.62x39. I have Hornady 130 SP bullets (.308) and have in my inventory H4227, H322, H335. I can find load data for those powders, I was just wondering if anyone has loaded for this caliber and found a powder that worked well.

The reason I am working up my own loads is because I have an old Ruger Mini-30 that has a .308 barrel.

 

[Newtosavage]

Everywhere I read Reloder 7. I have been contemplating whether to load for my 7.62x39, and if I do, this is where I'll begin.

My Savage model 10 bolt action also has the .308 barrel, but it eats the .310 Russian and Hornady SST ammo very, very well.

 

[highlander 5]

I've used IMR 4227,AA5744 and AA 1680 in my 2 CZ 527 and Ruger M77 MK II with both cast and jacketed bullets .

 

[Toprudder]

I've used IMR 4227,AA5744 and AA 1680 in my 2 CZ 527 and Ruger M77 MK II with both cast and jacketed bullets .

How did the 4227 work for you? That is one that I have.

 

[joneb]

For a SKS I've found H4198 and Accurate 1680 works very well with .310-.311 dia. 123gr bullets.

 

[medalguy]

AA1680 is my go-to powder for the 7.72 x 39. Remember it was developed specifically for that cartridge.

 

[Jlr2267]

not to sidetrack the thread, but for those of you reloading 7.62x39 for AK's, what primers are you using?

 

[Casefull]

I get the best velocity from 1680. Any large rifle primers work great.

 

[chris in va]

Be aware, some cases take a small rifle primer.

Reloder 7, 4198 and 1680 are standard powders.

I've used 4227 fo my 155gr lead bullets but it's a slower powder and I can get away with it.

 

[joneb]

Maybe something of use here, http://www.j-how.net/test/Lyman 48th Reloading Handbook [blackatk].pdf

 

[armarsh]

I use RE7 for 7.62x39. It works superb. The load I use is 0.2 grain over what Alliant shows as maximum, so...

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I use 27.2 Gr to get 2341 ave fps with a 123 gr Hornady v-max. Proper work-up is suggested, as I did.

I also chronographed factory S&B 123 to find they are at 2205 ave fps.

Both chrono readings with my 16" VZ58.

 

[Newtosavage]

Very interesting...

I've recently broken out my Chrono to see what my factory 7.62x39 loads are giving me, and the Hornady 123 SST's were spot-on out of my 20" barrel, moving along at the 2350 avertised on the box.

The TulAmmo chorno'd at 2200 (many times over) with the 154-grain soft point. Both of those exceed any published reloading data I've ever seen. Just another reason for me to just shoot what's already available. I've been looking for a good reason to reload for my 7.62x39, but still just can't really find it.

 

[Toprudder]

I've been looking for a good reason to reload for my 7.62x39, but still just can't really find it.

I would not even consider it except for the fact my Mini-30 has a .308 barrel. I can buy steel-case ammo for what just the bullet will cost, but I am hoping to get good accuracy with my loads.

 

[Newtosavage]

Toprudder, my Savage model 10 in 7.62x39 also has a .308 barrel and it shoots the .310 steel-cased stuff like a champ. Sub-MOA with steel-case .310 Hornady 123-grain SST's in fact.

I figured I'd be loading .308 bullets for it until I shot some .310's. Then I quicky realized it wasn't broke, so I'm not gonna fix it. I can't load as cheap as the TulAmmo that I can buy for .25/round, and according to the load data, I may not even be able to duplicate the performance of that stuff anyway.

I don't want to discourage you from reloading your 7.62x39, as my curiosity may eventually get the best of me too. Just wanted to share what I have observed in my own.

 

[Toprudder]

I don't want to discourage you from reloading your 7.62x39, as my curiosity may eventually get the best of me too. Just wanted to share what I have observed in my own.

Hey, I appreciate that.

I have shot some steel-case stuff in my Mini-30, and had a few that took two primer strikes to set off - I think because the Berdan primers might be harder than the boxers. I also was seeing some signs of pressure when I shot some Winchester factory loads.

I'm trying it because of that AND my own curiosity.

Last night I loaded up some test rounds using data from the Lyman manual. I used the COL from the Hornady manual, which is 0.020" shorter than the Lyman data, so I started 0.5gn lower charge than Lyman's. I used Hornady 130 SP pills and H335 powder, since it is what I have, and Lyman listed that powder as being the most accurate in their testing.

At the next gun show I will pick up some 1680 as I see that referenced a lot here and in other places. I also have some Sierra and Speer bullets on the way.

 

[Newtosavage]

I have a mini-30 on the way soon, and plan to run the excellent Hornady 123-SST steel cased ammo through it. I hope it shoots it well as that stuff is reasonably priced and hell on pigs.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I've been loading 150 gr sierra with 4227. Groups from my SKS can be covered with a quarter.

 

[HOWARD J]

I have been reloading .310 for my early Mini 30---they are as accurate as a Mini 30 can be
Funny---I have 500 Hornady bullets -- box marked .311---but they are .310

 

[Ironicaintit]

The first and last powder I ever tried in 7.62x39, with 130 grain .311 FMJs, was IMR4198.
Maybe im lazy, but I was quite satisfied with it, and quit looking for a better powder.

 

[Toprudder]

I have a mini-30 on the way soon, and plan to run the excellent Hornady 123-SST steel cased ammo through it. I hope it shoots it well as that stuff is reasonably priced and hell on pigs.

The newer ones are supposed to be .310 or .311. Post back here and let us know how it shoots.

 

[highlander 5]

Toprudder I use 4227 and surplus 1680 for the most part. 4227 meters well in my 650,I get decent accuracy with it at 50yds with a 130 gr gas check bullets my groups are 1/2 to 3/4 ". These are cost cutting loads as jacketed bullets in that caliber are somewhat hard to come by in my neck of the woods.

 

[SSN Vet]

I found that AA1680 covers the sweet spot for 130gr. pills.

Brass gets mangled pretty fast out of an AK though.

 

[Toprudder]

I found that AA1680 covers the sweet spot for 130gr. pills.

Brass gets mangled pretty fast out of an AK though.

Thank goodness I won't be loading for the AK! Mine ejects the cases against the dust cover and puts a really bad dent in them. OTOH, my SKS doesn't dent them but instead sends then into low earth orbit - way in front of the firing line. Hard to find and/or retrieve. The Ruger Mini ejects them straight out about 3:00, rather forcefully, but I have a brass catcher that should help.

Although I worked up my first test loads with H335, I will be on the hunt for AA1680 at the next gun show in a couple of weeks. I also picked up some 125gn Speer and Sierra .308 bullets yesterday to try out.

 

[Toprudder]

While on the subject, has anyone tried 110gn .308 M1 Carb bullets in the 7.62x39 cartridge? I seated one in a dummy round, and it manually fed just fine in my M30. Would sure make for a less expensive plinking round.

 

[exbrit49]

Imr4198

Been using 4198 for years its always perfomed so well I quit trying other powders