Reloading 7.62x39.

[R.W.Dale]

28gr 1680? According to my Loadbook, Speer data says that is the max load for thier 125gr, and it's compressed.

in newer manuals that particular load has been greatly reduced, it's been my experiance that semiautos start to get unhappy with charges over 26.0grs

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=2274479#post2274479
more on .308 vs .311 bullets through a .310 bore

and tests of various loads and ammo in rifles with vastly differing barrel lengths
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5111739#post5111739

 

[jjohnson]

Back at Krochus

Thanks for your tip on the bullet and load you're doing so well with. I'll wind up ordering some components in the next few days and will add those to the list.

You asked about my boltgun - I had a Turkish Mauser converted with a kit available from Numrich - .308 x 39 barrel, mag plug (to shorten it). I had a smith glass bed a stock he had on hand, had the bolt bent and put a Timney trigger and new safety, scope mounts. When I'd paid for the parts and work, I just could have bought a CZ carbine instead but hey, everybody who's into firearms should have something built custom at least once in their lifetime.

I do a lot of reloading anyway, and have .308 bullets of several kinds for the other 30 caliber firearms I have on hand. Having a solid boltgun with a long
enough mag to use longer bullets, I figured I could have some fun with some
150 grain stuff. Some folks will point out that the Russian round is only overshadowed a bit by the .30-30, and with good handloads and no worries
about detonating everything in your tube mag by using Spitzer bullets, I figure
it'll do okay on anything you'd want to do with a .30-30. I just haven't played with loads for it enough to get the kind of accuracy you're getting.

Thanks again for sharing - long winters up here means a bunch of time at the loading bench.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I just haven't played with loads for it enough to get the kind of accuracy you're getting.

My rifle has a lot to do with my results. It 's a Stevens200 action that started out life as a .223 that now wears a 26" Shilen bull barrel. It's a full on 18lb bench only proposition with a 1lb trigger and a Leupold 36x scope that I obtained in trade for my cz527

 

[R.W.Dale]

more on hunting with 7.62x39

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=405210

 

[ar10]

ar10, I have 10 Remington cases that take small primers, and oddly enough, I always find all 10. they have had about 5 or 6 loads through them so far, and in great shape.

Thanks, but nope. I got rid of a bunch of the Remington BECAUSE they were small primers a few months ago. Of course back then I was dumber. I'll stick with what I have for now and pick up some more when it thaws out next spring. I do have about 200 more Win cases that I'm going to try with 1680 as soon as I get my Sierra order sometime next week.

 

[R.W.Dale]

LOL AR10 aren't you the fellow who sold a bunch of small primed range pickups to me...... if so sorry bout that

 

[ar10]

I don't have a clue. I dumped a bunch of brass awhile ago. But since you brought it up. I've got a boat load of .45's you can have IF you would take a look at a couple of sample .308 cases I just finished if you're interested.

(I traded an xd 9mm sub for a new xd45 and hated it, after I collected a bunch of .45APC cases. I traded that for a new new xd .40sub. which I'm a lot more comfortable in shooting).

 

[R.W.Dale]

I have no .45 of my own my handguns are chambered in .32acp and 30-30

What do you need done with the 308 cases?

 

[SSN Vet]

Since I was putting in a Midway order, I went ahead and got the Lee .314" sizing die.

My Saiga slugs at .312 and I just haven't been able to get good results from my 312-155 mold with WDWWs, when checking and sizing w/ the .311 die.

The bullets drop from the mold at .312, so all I'm looking for the .314 die to do is seat and crimp the checks, and I'll shoot the bullets as cast.

I looked at both Cabella's and Kittery Trading Post on several occasions, and no one stocks it.

So, I guess it's time to visit Bob and Rog, down and the garage and replenish my wheel weight inventory.

Might's well get my brake light fixed while I'm at it , I'm happy to toss these guys a bone whenever I can, as they're always fair and I'm not much interested in working on the truck in a snow bank.

 

[rbernie]

the ONLY powders a person needs to look at for loading 7.62x39 with 12X grain bullets is AA1680 or N-120

BTDT for a number of years, and frankly my rifles prefer H4198 for 123-125gr and 150gr bullets. I use H322 for the 174gr RN. I only use CCI primers, and I use Remington small primer brass.

At this point, I'm using mostly Hornady bullets, altho I took a 500lb hog with the Sierra 125gr SP.

 

[tkcomer]

I've tried IMR 4227 and some Golden West Brass 124gr FMJs out of my 16" Model 1 upper on my AR. Didn't really shoot any better than the com bloc ammo I have. They were more consistent. No 3" flyers wrecking the groups. Not sure if it was the powder or the bullets. I now have some of those loaded over 23.5grs of AA 1680 and some Hornady .310 123gr V-max bullets with the same powder charge. But for the last 3 weeks, the weather has been just horrible, so I haven't tried them out yet. Right now it's 4 degrees outside. Hard to test when you're shivering.

 

[BruceB]

When I was preparing to start loading the 7.62 Short (x39) I bought 500 Federal once-fired cases from an Ebay seller.

The brass looked fine, but the neck-wall thickness varied all over the map. Some cases didn't contact the expander ball at all after sizing, some felt "normal", and some were very tight to withdraw over the ball after sizing.

I disposed of all the Federals and now have only Winchester brass, which exhibits none of the above faults. Neck thickness is important to me because I'm loading for a bolt-action Ruger and using cast bullets. Consistency under these circumstances is rather critical.

I hasten to add that I've used plenty of Federal brass in other calibers, and it was just fine.

 

[tkcomer]

Now that you mention that, I used the 308 expander ball for my brass as some bullets were too loose with the 310 ball. After that, no problems. I was surprised they seated just fine. Thought I'd have to use my universal expander die to flair the case a little but I didn't.