lasercast 32-20 bullets for 7.62x39

Status
Not open for further replies.

helpwanted

Member
Joined
May 17, 2005
Messages
71
Happy New Year everyone.
I see Oregon trail makes bulk boxes of 32-20 bullets, advertised as .313.
Has anyone used these to reload for 7.62x39? How did it work?
 
No, but I think leading would be a serious issue. 32-20 is a low velocity black powder round that probably tops out at around 1,200 fps from a rifle barrel. A 7.62x39 probably doubles that velocity, depending on powder charge. Even if Lasercast is using a very hard alloy, I would expect a lot of leading. If you're going to load cast bullets for a modern rifle, you really need gas checks.
 
I was thinking about using a charge of pistol powder and keep velocities about 1000 fps. Do you think the oversize 32-20 cast bullet (.313) would pose a safety hazard in an sks with a bore .310-.311?
 
I doubt you'd have any safety issues with the .313" cast bullet, but it may make leading a little worse and you may have problems with feeding if you're shooting from a semi.
 
I think this is an awful idea. First of all, a light enough propellant charge to push the bullet at only 1,000 fps likely will not produce enough gas to operate a semi-auto. Even if you don't care, or will be firing them in a bolt action, there's a safety issue here. You're proposing loading a very small powder charge in a rifle case. You will likely have trouble getting consistent ignition and burn rates, leading to wide variations in velocity and potentially squibs. This is a real issue in large handgun cases like the .44 magnum and .45 Colt, so I'm sure it's as big or bigger of an issue in a rifle case. Depending on what side of the fence you're on (see the thread about detonation in large cases with small charges), you may also risk blowing up your gun.

If you don't mind my asking, what's the point? If you want to shoot pistol ammo, get a pistol or a rifle chambered for pistol ammo. You can get a nice lever action .357 magnum for pretty cheap, and the components (brass, cast bullets, primers) are cheap, too.

By the way, the general rule for lead bullets is to size them .001 larger than bore major diameter (groove size). Thus, a .310 to .311 bore would typically call for .311 to .312 bullets. Going an additional .001 over shouldn't cause any problems.
 
Do yourself a favor, Don't shoot lead bullets in ANY rifle that has a gas port.


I tried the same thing you propose in my CZ 7.62x39 bolt gun using a light charge of unique. Accuracy SUCKED
 
I checked IMR's web site, http://www.imrpowder.com/data/rifle/trailboss-oct2005.php the data for the 30-30 win. should be in the ballpark, the 7.62x39 can be loaded to 44,900 cup. The 7.62x39 case will hold 7.5 grns of Trail Boss , will it cycle in a SKS ? I think in the CZ carbine it may be worth a try. The velocity should be in the 1000 fps range.
 
Last edited:
Do yourself a favor, Don't shoot lead bullets in ANY rifle that has a gas port.
This was my first thought - regardless of power used or whether you will/will not see leading issues, I can't imagine that a semi-auto gas system will work well once it fills with lead shavings.... :eek:
 
Nobody's shootin yet , this is a what if and has anyone done that, question :)
 
lead bullets in the SKS

I have experimented with cast lead bullets in the 303 Brit and the SKS. I used a 190 grain roundnose .313 bullet with a Blue Dot load on the 303 and got great accuracy. With my Yugo SKS the same powder seemed to be the magic reduced load propellant for aucracy. The Yugo has a shut off gas valve and the port is very easy to get too. The were no lead shavings or very much fouling in the port. SKS in general are easy to maintain the gas ports and the chrome lined barrels (yugos do not have this type of bore) are forgiving of bullet diameter. The Yugo did cycle but it was much less force than normal ammo. Acuracy was great in semi auto but was best with the gas valve shut off.

If you want to have fun with varmiting or jack rabbit hunting try using Hornady 100 grain 32 cal pistol bullets at 2600 fps out of the SKS. Hits are an interesting event!

AS A SAFETY NOTE IF YOU USE LONG CAST BULLETS WITH A GAS CHECK MAKE SURE THEY ARE THE CRIMPED ON TYPE. The big long bullet bases hang back in the cartridge case unsupported and you do not want the gas check to come off during firing or for any other reason.

This was an experiment I did only because I "inherited" 2,000 of these bullets and their quality was very high. I also have 38 years of reloading experience including funded governement reloading experiments with recovered and remanufactured powder from munitions. If you are not comfortable don't experiment and follow the manuals. My reloading hero was Phil Sharpe so I had to experiment a little to get the thrill.
 
The bullet might work if it fits in the throat of the rifle. If its too big, just buy a Lee push through type sizer that is .312" and resize the bullets.

I haven't tried shooting cast bullets in 7.62x39 yet, but I shoot a lot in 30-06 and 8mm using 2400- powder position in a case is not an issue with this powder.

Gas ports- gas ports aren't the problem that people think they are- if they were, they'd clog full of copper shavings from jacketed bullets as well.

Gas checks- you really don't need them on rifle bullets unless you are going to try to push them to higher velocities than you stated.
 
I found the bullet:D Check out the 150gr RNFPBB
http://www.pennbullets.com/30/30-ca...ink, I'm just a little intrigued by the idea.
 
Last edited:
I've been thinking about using moly coated cast bullets, such as those sold at Pathfinder sports, for inexpensive practice reloads in my Romanian AK. The price is very attractive, and since I'm planning to use nearly 200 rounds in a day for tactical matches, cost is important.

Would copper coated bullets like Berry's be better for such an application? I recall that at rifle velocities the coating shreds off, but that shouldn't be a problem if you're shooting at less than 25 yards anyway, right?

Edit:
Heck, even cast .30 carbine bullets would be useful, and you wouldn't have to worry about being overbore. :)
 
You can get a nice lever action .357 magnum for pretty cheap
You are joking aren't you?? If you know where to get them cheap please let us all know!!!!!
 
32/20

32/20 IS WAS A PISTOL AND RIFLE CARTRIDGE.I USED ONE IN AN ORIGINAL 73 WIN BEFORE WW2 I LOADED IN A WIN TOOL. FURTHER I LOAD AND SHOOT LEAD IN AN M1 GARAND.I'VE NEVER HAD LEAD PROBLEMS.ALSO IN AN FN 49
I HOWEVER WOULD USE A HEAVYER BULLET IN THE SKS.[I USE 180 GR IN THE M1 AND FN49].HEAVY BULLETS AND LIGHTER LOADS. HELP TO RECYCLE THE GAS SYSTEM.I HAVE NOT LOADED FOR THE SKS YET AS I HAVE CASES OF SKS SURPLUS.SOME OF THE CONVENTONAL WISDOM IS FALSE.ALL THO IT SOUNDS REASONABLE.[LEAD SHAVING].
TEDDY
 
.32-20 in 7.62 x 39 fergeddabouddit

Teddy is right

233048100.jpg

Lee's heavier 155 gr .311-155-2R mould produces a bullet of exceptional performance and accuracy. Designed by Ed Harris and discussed in depth in a couple of his Rifleman articles, in '99, I think, (hunting loads for the SKS, Cast Bullets in The SKS)


Strangely, a bullet designed for reloading the 7.62 x 39 , 130 gr Lyman .311-410 doesnt even hit paper here with modest charges. It's not nearly as stable as the heavier bullet.

And gas port grief with CORRECT alloys and properly sized bullets? fergeddaboudit. I add 1 lb of magnum-shot in my 0.5% tin-WWM alloy and get no leading and no functional problems - EVER

Yodar
 
Nice looking loads yodar :) what powder do you use ? I like the looks of the crimp, is it done by your seating die ? What primers do you use ? any slam fires ?
 
7.62 x 39 loads

JibJab,

I used Accurate powder that appeared on surplus market from Wideners 5 years ago called data 2200

26.5 gr under a 155 g bullet.

I use a lee Factory crimp die in hole four on the 550B and get excellent function in the ChiCom and Yugo 59/66 SKS

Yodar
 
Last edited:
Happy New Year everyone.
I see Oregon trail makes bulk boxes of 32-20 bullets, advertised as .313.
Has anyone used these to reload for 7.62x39? How did it work?
For the .313 Lasercast 32-20 bullet, I have had good results with 10gr Alcan AL-8, OAL 2.000 out to 50yds. 1" Group.
Light crimp just forward of the lube groove.
I am shooting it out of a CZ 527.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top