Just wondering the cost effectiveness on reloading the 7.62x39. By my calculations it's not even close. I just brought home an SKS, but this may be the one that I don't reload. I am currently reloading 22-250,.308,.40S&W but the cost of dies, brass, powder and primers don't really justify it. Hell, I can load other more expensive calibers"just for the fun of it".
Not worth it? Is it to you?
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NCsmitty
Member
If you buy a couple boxes of boxer primed ammo, you can always justify buying dies. Then you can load bullets of your choice for hunting or plinking.
Some of the surplus stuff really sucks and some are corrosive. Again it's your call.
I have the dies and I don't even have a gun that shoots it. I had a Chinese SKS at one time.
NCsmitty
Some of the surplus stuff really sucks and some are corrosive. Again it's your call.
I have the dies and I don't even have a gun that shoots it. I had a Chinese SKS at one time.
NCsmitty
Shoney
Member
The problem I have is finding reloadable brass at a good price. I bought a lot of the Wolf ammo at gunshowswhen it was cheap. The gunshow prices are still well below the price of components.
grsjax
Member
It does cost more to reload for some rounds but in return you get better ammo and ammo that is tailored to your particular needs. If all you want to do is blast away at tin cans go with the cheap ammo. If you are looking for something more roll your own. BTW if you cast your own bullets and use light loads of pistol powders like Unique you can reload for about a nickle a round and still get good ammo.
Of course, you have to make your own decisions. I found a big bag of brass at a gun show for 10 bucks. I buy bulk fmj for $112 per thousand (0.308" whereas 7.62x39 is actually 0.311" but my rifle doesn't know that). So the cost is 12 cents for bullet, 10 cents for powder and 2 cents for primer.
That's 22 cents per round for reloads.
Crappy Eastern Euro steel case ammo is 25 cents per round at the gun show.
Not much difference in pennies.
But now I don't have to shoot steel case bi-metal bullet dirty powder residue corrosive primer crappy ammo in my rifle.
And my own ammo is more accurate.
But of course, you make your own decisions.
That's 22 cents per round for reloads.
Crappy Eastern Euro steel case ammo is 25 cents per round at the gun show.
Not much difference in pennies.
But now I don't have to shoot steel case bi-metal bullet dirty powder residue corrosive primer crappy ammo in my rifle.
And my own ammo is more accurate.
But of course, you make your own decisions.
jcwit
member
I lucked into a few thousand pcs. of 7.62x39 brass and reload, I also use cast bullets so my only cost is primer & powder. I'm retired so what is time. Beats building model airplains.
Remo-99
Member
Possibly not, most of the corrosive type ammo for 7.62x39, seemed to be the older bulk milsurp FMJ cans/packs of 1440rnds and such.
I haven't used the Monarch stuff, so I'm really only guessing, but all the cheap 20rds packets I've bought for 7.62x39 has been non-corrosive primed.
A lot of those SKS's were made with a chromelined bore, for use with corrosive anyways.
Personally, I don't think it's worth it for a SKS, not just for cost reasons, but also they tend to beat up brass pretty good and usually have big tolerances for chambers (to be compatable with a wide range of ammo makers). This results in casemouths splitting very quickly, only after 1, 2 or 3 reloads even with mild loadings.
hotwheelz
Member
You should buy all you can at that price its over $300 a thousand around here and going up eveyday it seems. And I can load a thousand for under $200 { $20-$25 for 1000 primers, $80 for 8lbs powder wich will do more then 1000 rnds about around $100 for 1000 bullets } yes I allready have the brass but once you make the first purchase of brass you should get 5-7 loadings out of it if not more.
MetalMan52
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7.62 x 39
"So the cost is 12 cents for bullet, 10 cents for powder and 2 cents for primer.
That's 22 cents per round for reloads. "
I thought that: .12 + .10 + .02 = 24
"So the cost is 12 cents for bullet, 10 cents for powder and 2 cents for primer.
That's 22 cents per round for reloads. "
I thought that: .12 + .10 + .02 = 24
Bostekrisco
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- Oct 10, 2007
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- 57
It's only 22 because he's reloading them himself.
armoredman
Member
Getting more brass would be good, and I haven't gotten the lead pot out to cast my first 7.62x39 lead bullets, (lee 160gr .312 mould), still using Hornady 123gr SP, but I surely enjoy loading the round, and my vZ-58 enjoys firing them. 
Two hobbies in one.
Two hobbies in one.TEDDY
Member
reloading
what are you going to do when the surplus drys up and the tax goes on ammo.I have dies but dont reload as I am loading other stuff.but I have dies and mold.and I found that lees 312 tumbler was taken over by my 1903 which loves it.It also good to go in my 303. 
what are you going to do when the surplus drys up and the tax goes on ammo.I have dies but dont reload as I am loading other stuff.but I have dies and mold.and I found that lees 312 tumbler was taken over by my 1903 which loves it.It also good to go in my 303.
R.W.Dale
Member
there are many many worthwhile reasons to reload 7.62x39mm, cost savings aren't one of them
I reload hunting and accuracy ammunition for 7.62x39 for an AR15 and a benchrest rifle. But for my volume plinking I have a 1000 rd case of Monarch I caught on sale for $150
To put things in perspective I just ordered 1k 125grn Speer TNT bullets for the bench gun at a cost of $195
If there's something specific you want 7.62x39 to do then reloading makes the cartridge much more versatile and capable. But if bullets simply going downrange is your primary goal then you'd be much better served with steel cased fodder
buy more Monarch, Wolf, barnual, silver bear, golden tiger ect ect
I reload hunting and accuracy ammunition for 7.62x39 for an AR15 and a benchrest rifle. But for my volume plinking I have a 1000 rd case of Monarch I caught on sale for $150
To put things in perspective I just ordered 1k 125grn Speer TNT bullets for the bench gun at a cost of $195If there's something specific you want 7.62x39 to do then reloading makes the cartridge much more versatile and capable. But if bullets simply going downrange is your primary goal then you'd be much better served with steel cased fodder
buy more Monarch, Wolf, barnual, silver bear, golden tiger ect ect
jcwit
member
Cost per round of 7.62x39.
Bullet Cost $ .00 I cast my own.
Powder Cost $ .02 Bought surplus powder for $8.00 lb.
Primers Cost $ .01
Bought cases on a closeout a few years ago for around $60.
Total cost per round $ .03. Yep its worth it to reload.
Bullet Cost $ .00 I cast my own.
Powder Cost $ .02 Bought surplus powder for $8.00 lb.
Primers Cost $ .01
Bought cases on a closeout a few years ago for around $60.
Total cost per round $ .03. Yep its worth it to reload.
Paladin_Hammer
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Where can I buy a mold? "Surplus Powder", you mean as in MILITARY surplus? Corrosive? Who sells primers for .01 cent a piece?
jcwit
member
Surplus powder was available from Jeff Bartlett www.gibrass.com with the crazy buying and the government destroying pulldown powder I don't believe its still available.
Regarding molds Lyman makes the one I use #2660359 or bullet #311359. Available from Natchez, Midway, Grafs, Midsouth, ect., ect.
Primers as I stated I bought on a closeout, all they had in all sizes for around $60.00 per 5,000. Bought cases of them all sizes & brands. When you find the deals don't pass them up, doubt I'll need to buy primers again in this lifetime.
Regarding molds Lyman makes the one I use #2660359 or bullet #311359. Available from Natchez, Midway, Grafs, Midsouth, ect., ect.
Primers as I stated I bought on a closeout, all they had in all sizes for around $60.00 per 5,000. Bought cases of them all sizes & brands. When you find the deals don't pass them up, doubt I'll need to buy primers again in this lifetime.
SSN Vet
Member
it's only economical if you cast your own and have a cheap/free lead source.
striving to improve performance is always worth it, economy or no.
striving to improve performance is always worth it, economy or no.
jcwit
member
Yep, the lead's free.
Ohio Gun Guy
Member
Becarefull with soft primers and the floating firing pins in most SKS rifles. There have historically been a few slam fire problems when using "Soft" primered ammunition. Evidently the Russian ammo has "Hard" primers and is not bothered as much by a stuck firing pin. THere are kits available to make your sks have a spring operated firing pin. But this may enter into your calculations as far as cost.
aliveisalive
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I'm going to reload simply for the fact why not? you can get a decent load going for roughly the same price as wolf, and i want to try out different loads, maybe some subsonic loads etc.
As my father [who is a VERY conservative spender] put it : If your having fun in the end, what is a couple of dollars difference.
If you want to only save money, then no it may not be worth the time.
If you dont mind maybe spending a few dollars more but getting to load your own and load up all different types of rounds, then have at it!
As my father [who is a VERY conservative spender] put it : If your having fun in the end, what is a couple of dollars difference.
If you want to only save money, then no it may not be worth the time.
If you dont mind maybe spending a few dollars more but getting to load your own and load up all different types of rounds, then have at it!
Keep in mind that Ruger Mini-30's have a .308 bore and SKS and AK's have a .311 bore. Reloading for Rugers makes sense, but I think that reloading for AKs or SKSs is a waste of time and money. Spend the money that you would spend on dies, bullets, primers, brass and powder on ammo.
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