Questions about the 7.62x39

[marcodo]

Going to try some reloading of the 7.62x39 for my recently converted Saiga. I have some H335 that I have been using for my .223. Anyone with any experience using this powder for the 7.62? Shooting a hornady 122 (123?) .311 bullett. Hodgen web site has a load listed...just wonder about thoughts from the Guru's. If I was to get another powder...what are the suggestions...anything that will shoot both the 223 and the 7.62?

Also, what is the trim length for the brass?

I have noticed that the brass also ejects with a ding in the side. Will this have any effect?

I probably should ask...can I shoot .308 bulletts...having a hard time finding cheap .311

Thanks!

 

[highlander 5]

Trim length is 1.518" I have the Lyman no 49 manual in reach and there are no powders in their manual that would work for 223 and 7.62x39. The Speer manual I hvae #13 says BL-c2 and H335 will work in both. You can use .308 bullets but the accuracy may leave some thing to be desired. Just make sure you are using an expander ball that is suitable for .308 bullets.Some die sets come with 2 expanders 1 for .311 and 1 for.308. If the ding isn't too deep you shouldn't have a problem reloading the brass. The best powder for the 7.62x39 is AA1680 btw

 

[HOWARD J]

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Hornady has not made a .311 bullet for a long time---you must be looking at Speer. Hornady 123 gr. is .310

Try 25 gr of H322--see target above.

Speers book now shows 123gr. SP .310
H335-29.5--31.5 max

 

[Cherokee]

My most accurate 762x39 load is with H335 and the Remington 125 JSP .308 bullet, fired from my AR. In MY AR, 30.3/H335 gives 2200 fps with the Rem bullet. AA2230 also works but a little less accurate. The H335 load beats factory Lapua out of MY gun. As always, work up the load for YOUR gun.

 

[marcodo]

Thanks Guys!

My dies are RCBS and the expander says .308/.311. Does that mean it will do both? Can I use .308 bullets here?

I'd love to find some cheap bulk bullets...I am only plinking...any suggestions?

Your right about the the hornady bullets...they are .310.

How important is it to trim the brass...most of my once shot brass is smaller than 1.525...is that close enough. Its a pain to trim

 

[frankge]

+1 on the AA1680, likes the faster powder.

 

[HOWARD J]

Max case length is 1.528
In your case I would not trim the brass.

Save your reloading for hunting.
For plinking buy Russian ammo--it is cheaper than reloading--look for sales.
Have fun
H