Reloading 7.62x39 for an AK

[DMW1116]

My son just got an AK so at some point I’ll try reloading for it. Does anyone already do so? My Lyman manual recommends H335, which I already have. Any recommendations for other powders?

If I decide to load a lot of it, I may try SW SBR or Blackout powders. They also have a load for Tactical Rifle. They use either Berrys TMJ or 123 grain Hornady SST.

 

[NR53]

CFE-BLK
AA1680
RE7
H4198

 

[chevrofreak]

Accurate 1680 or Shooter's World Blackout are what I use. I have a load for 1680 and a 220gr Berry's that cycles my AK suppressed and is stable and quiet.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I use CFE black. 2400 also works. These are in my SKS and 7.62X39 AR'S.

 

[ballman6711]

CFE BLK works for me too with 123 gr bullet in my 7.62x39 AR15.

Be sure to slug your bore as well so you can get the proper bullet diameter for his gun.

chris

 

[armoredman]

I used to, load and cast. AA#1680 was always the bees knees for that caliber. Also loved the NOE 129gr cast bullet, sized to .311 and powder coated. Don't have anything in that caliber, still have the mold.

 

[DMW1116]

Will cast and coated bullets work in an AK? I’m sure they’d be fine in a bolt action.

 

[BreechFace]

Accurate 1680 or Shooter's World Blackout are what I use. I have a load for 1680 and a 220gr Berry's that cycles my AK suppressed and is stable and quiet.

Your AK will stabilize 220gr subs?

 

[armoredman]

Will cast and coated bullets work in an AK? I’m sure they’d be fine in a bolt action.

Yes. Worked just fine with a vz-58 and an SKS.

 

[DMW1116]

Interesting. Might we worth a try for blammo. They shoot great from my 30-30. My son's not a big shooter, so it might not be worth reloading other than for my own education and experience.

 

[chevrofreak]

Your AK will stabilize 220gr subs?

Yessir. At 50 yards there were zero keyholes and they were going where I was aiming.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I use Reloader 7 and Hornady 123 gr bullets for my AR but haven’t run them thru my AK yet

 

[DMW1116]

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.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Did you slug the bore? My SKS and Ruger American have .311 bores. My AR'S have .308 bores.

 

[DMW1116]

Not yet. It hasn’t arrived at the ffl yet.

 

[DMW1116]

I’ll have to see how deep my son wants to get into it. If he wants a pile of ammo, he’ll have to source the components. If he just wants a hundred or so then I have enough H335 and LRP to make it happen. CFE Black AA 1680 might be necessary. SW SBR, AR Plus, & Tactical Rifle have data as well, should he want more.

 

[DMW1116]

What would happen if the barrel is sized for .310” and we tried a 0.308”?

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I would be concerned with gas cutting . I run Berrys bullets for .311.

 

[stoney1666]

308 150gr work fine in my AR and its .310 barrel. have to shoot some 220gr i loaded years ago and they are seating on the shelf.

 

[DMW1116]

I would be concerned with gas cutting . I run Berrys bullets for .311.

Have you had any trouble with the Berrys max velocity of 1900 fps?

 

[DMW1116]

I would be concerned with gas cutting . I run Berrys bullets for .311.

Have you had any trouble with the Berrys max velocity of 1900 fps

 

[Buzznrose]

I used to, load and cast. AA#1680 was always the bees knees for that caliber. Also loved the NOE 129gr cast bullet, sized to .311 and powder coated. Don't have anything in that caliber, still have the mold.

combat checkers?

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

The .308 were accurate in my RAR. I didn't shoot enough to cause any gas/flame cutting though.
In a 1:10 bore you can run the Berrys up to 3000 FPS. The 7.62x39 can't be loaded that fast safely.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I looked up the rate of twist for an AK 1 in 9.45''. 1900fps should be fine. Lyman's 51st has loads for Berry's bullets.

 

[ballman6711]

What would happen if the barrel is sized for .310” and we tried a 0.308”?

I would be concerned with gas cutting . I run Berrys bullets for .311.

Gas cutting might be a concern, as well as loss of accuracy and barrel fouling.

I honestly wouldn't be terribly concerned with an AK that I paid 2-3 hundred for. I haven't priced them recently but I think they are going for quite a bit more now.

Be sure to slug your bore as well so you can get the proper bullet diameter for his gun.

Did you slug the bore? My SKS and Ruger American have .311 bores. My AR'S have .308 bores.

chris