Reloading 7.62x39 for an AK

[armoredman]

Weird, the only .308 bore I knew of in 7.62x39 was the original Mini Thirty. Bear Creek sells .312 barrels, and AR Stoner apparently does .311. Definitely slug the bore, by far most important.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have 2 Bear creek complete uppers. Mine slugged at .308. And are accurate. It's interesting they have .312 ones.

 

[snowman357]

I just wish I could load fmj bullets cheaper than i could buy steel case ammo. I can load it for the same price as steel , been thinking of ditching ak and ammo and switch to 300bo.

 

[DMW1116]

There’s a pretty good argument that 300 BO made a big leap over 7.62x39 when the cheap Russian ammo went away. There is still some out there but for the most part I haven’t seen any steel cased AK ammo in a while.

 

[Otto]

^ there’s plenty of steel case ammo available https://ammoseek.com/ammo/7.62x39mm
But brass cased is about the same price…so why buy steel?

 

[DMW1116]

That’s not what I’d call cheap. I mean the stuff that was $5/20. Clearly everything is more now but the difference was greater. That list also has brass cases ammo for only $0.01 more.

 

[ballman6711]

Weird, the only .308 bore I knew of in 7.62x39 was the original Mini Thirty. Bear Creek sells .312 barrels, and AR Stoner apparently does .311. Definitely slug the bore, by far most important.

My Colt AR likes a .310" bullet. Two inch groups at 75 yards with open sights, about as good as I can do. It's a Clinton era "ban" rifle, if that makes a difference. I haven't slugged the barrel so I don't know the bore diameter, it may shoot .311" bullets better.

chris

 

[TRAILS-END]

I've had goo results in my Yugo and Mini 30 with IMR 4198. Used .311 bullets

 

[thump_rrr]

I kinda feel like testing for accuracy would be pointless so i’m leaning toward using minimum charges. I don’t want to get a bunch of components only to have him lose interest. The Hornady app has data for their 150 grain 308 FMJ. We can try those first I suppose.

Nope.
The Hornady 123gr 7.62/.310 bullets are what you want.
They are also available in an Interlock spire point which are great for hunting and work perfectly in my Tula Arsenal SKS
I use IMR 4198
I can shoot sub 2” groups with the factory SKS sights at 100y so accuracy does count some.

I lose interest in a rifle when it isn’t accurate.

 

[DMW1116]

Nope.
The Hornady 123gr 7.62/.310 bullets are what you want.
They are also available in an Interlock spire point which are great for hunting and work perfectly in my Tula Arsenal SKS
I use IMR 4198

I was just going to do minimum charges but if accuracy testing is worth it, I guess we’ll try it, even with iron sights.

 

[thump_rrr]

I was just going to do minimum charges but if accuracy testing is worth it, I guess we’ll try it, even with iron sights.

I’ll check mine when I get home.
I’d like to say 23gr of IMR 4198 with S&B brass and CCI 400.
It’s been a while since I loaded any.
https://www.marvinstuart.com/firear...Complete Reloading Manual for the 7.62x39.pdf

 

[DMW1116]

I checked the Hornady App for this cartridge and found something interesting. They have data for 110, 123, 130, and 150-155 grain bullets. Only the 123 grain bullets are listed as 0.310”. The others are 0.308”.

 

[DMW1116]

All this research makes me want a bolt action now.

 

[armoredman]

Yes, you do.

 

[armoredman]

I checked the Hornady App for this cartridge and found something interesting. They have data for 110, 123, 130, and 150-155 grain bullets. Only the 123 grain bullets are listed as 0.310”. The others are 0.308”.

Interestingly enough, I looked at MidwayUSA and found two 255gr FXT, (Hornaday), bullets for 7.62x39mm that are .3115 inch diameter. The Lee molds drop 155 and 160 grain bullets at .312. My NOE drops a 129gr slug at .314, but I always size all cast bullets down to .311 when loading this caliber.

 

[thump_rrr]

Interestingly enough, I looked at MidwayUSA and found two 255gr FXT, (Hornaday), bullets for 7.62x39mm that are .3115 inch diameter. The Lee molds drop 155 and 160 grain bullets at .312. My NOE drops a 129gr slug at .314, but I always size all cast bullets down to .311 when loading this caliber.

I think a 255gr is a huge bullet for an AK or SKS.
I just realized that I haven’t shot my 54 Tula Arsenal SKS in probably 6 or 7 years.
The stock has a small repair on it but the muzzle is very nice on it and I paid $200 for it.

 

[AJC1]

There’s a pretty good argument that 300 BO made a big leap over 7.62x39 when the cheap Russian ammo went away. There is still some out there but for the most part I haven’t seen any steel cased AK ammo in a while.

Why run 300bo when 300hmr does everything super better... if you have a can or are really going to get one the ok....

 

[Wildbillz]

I have an old (1978 ish) SPEER manual that list loads for 7.62x39 using a 30 carbine bullet.

 

[Show Me]

All this research makes me want a bolt action now.

I keep a bolt action for each autoloader.