Reloading 7.62x39

[Ironicaintit]

Like most of my brass, I get once fired 7.62x39 at Diamond K LLC.

Heres a link, though they are currently out of stock. Keep an eye on it

http://www.diamondkbrass.com/7.62x39-MM-100.html

 

[elwoodm]

another thing to look out for is the primer size. some of the brass is small rifle primer RP brass that i have got at the range. do not know if other makers use that style.

 

[FROGO207]

In the past I have shot Winchester and PPU ammo to get the brass myself.

 

[OilyPablo]

In the past I have shot Winchester and PPU ammo to get the brass myself.

Tried that at an indoor range. Me brass kept alaunchin into no man's land. ARRR.

 

[chris in va]

The 2 CZs have given me fits due to the difference in chamber dimensions

Highlander, I found the trick is to not full length resize brass shot in your 527. I had terrible light primer strikes until I backed out my die to where it would just resize the neck.

 

[fireman 9731]

I found the trick is to not full length resize brass shot in your 527. I had terrible light primer strikes until I backed out my die to where it would just resize the neck.

I had the same problem in my 527 with the Lee Dies. I thought I had mixed some pistol primers in with the rifles then I started comparing cases and saw the difference. I still like the dies though, I just neck size only now.
I have had good luck with Hornady soft point bullets.

I shoot steel in everything else that is x39.

 

[Gadawg88]

Quote:
Originally Posted by FROGO207 View Post
In the past I have shot Winchester and PPU ammo to get the brass myself.
Tried that at an indoor range. Me brass kept alaunchin into no man's land. ARRR.

I bought one of these brass catchers for my AK. It works well, but is a bit of a pain to get on and off till you get the hang of it.

http://www.brasscatchers.com/store/brasscatcher.html#Anchor-51540

 

[highlander 5]

The 2 things I did for my CZs was 1 replace the firing pin spring to eliminate light strikes. The second was to buy a set of shell holder from Redding (can't think of the name of the set) There are 5 shell holders in .002 increments,the shell holder marked .008 has solved the sizing problems,cases now chamber in all 3 of my rifles.

 

[Toprudder]

The 2 things I did for my CZs was 1 replace the firing pin spring to eliminate light strikes. The second was to buy a set of shell holder from Redding (can't think of the name of the set) There are 5 shell holders in .002 increments,the shell holder marked .008 has solved the sizing problems,cases now chamber in all 3 of my rifles.

Redding Competition Shellholders. I bought a set for .223.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/422114/redding-competition-shellholder-set-12-38-s-and-w-38-special-357-magnum

 

[Newtosavage]

I broke down and bought a set of dies and supplies (although I already had most of what I needed) for the 7.62x39, and reloaded them yesterday. Today at the range I set up the chrono and was very pleasantly surprised by the results.

I was using RL-7 powder and 150-grain Sierra Game King and Hornady SST bullets in .308 caliber. My Savage is reported to have a .308 tube.

Out of my 20" barrel and strong action, I was able to get over 2300 fps. with those 150-grain bullets before any pressure signs appeared. A few rounds were loaded to 2360 fps. but the primers were beginning to flatten, so I backed off a grain and am steady at about 2330 fps. Not bad for a 150-grain bullet.

How that little round is able to generate that kind of velocity with so little felt recoil is beyond me. I get about 2350 fps. with a 150-grain 7mm bullet in my Ruger 77 (7x57) and it has a LOT more felt recoil, despite being the heavier rifle.

If I hadn't brought the chronograph along, I never would have believed the 7.62x39 was the faster load.

I can say the data shared in the article I linked to is just about spot-on. I think the author said 25.5 grains of RL-7, and I'm real close to that, with very similar results.

 

[Toprudder]

I finally made it to the range today to try out my first 7.62x39 loads in my Ruger Mini-30.

I found load data for 110gn projectiles and thought I would try using 30 carb bullets. The load data was for IMR4227. The highest charge in my ladder load, 20gn, was not high enough. Primers were all still well rounded, velocity was just over 2000fps. Accuracy was not good. That load was nowhere near being compressed, so I may work up a few more with higher charges, or try a different powder.

But, my ladder load using Hornady 130sp with H335 powder gave me good results. I had the ladder load worked up to 31.5gn, but stopped when I got to 31.0 as I was starting to see pressure signs, and had reached the expected max velocity. My best load for accuracy was at 30.0gn, which was just over 1" at 50 yards. If this translates to 2" at 100, I will be very happy.

Gun show coming up next weekend, I will be looking for 1680 and maybe RL7.

 

[TimSr]

I never took my SKS (Chinese) seriously for accuracy, as the Eastern European ball ammo I had shot all over the place, and the Israeli Samson 125gr PSP ammo were nothing to be taken seriously. I loaded some test 150gr (.308") loads this weekend for kicks. I loaded both Rem 150gr PSP, and some old Speer 150gr RNSP with both IMR4198 and H4895. The PSP loads left me unimpressed but both powders behind the Speer Round Nose bullets gave me 4-5" groups at 75 yards, (which is limited by my eyesight). I wished I'd had some 150gr 30-30 FP to try. I couldn't set up my Chrony, but these loads were right off the Hodgdon website. My rifle sure doesn't seem to like pointed bullets, and I'd strongly suggest experimenting with other bullet shapes if you have accuracy issues. This 150gr RN will make a good short range open sights hunting load.

 

[Toprudder]

My rifle sure doesn't seem to like pointed bullets, and I'd strongly suggest experimenting with other bullet shapes if you have accuracy issues. This 150gr RN will make a good short range open sights hunting load.

I have read of several people having surprising luck with 150gn projectiles, so I may pick up some at the gun show.

I'm thinking the 30 carb bullets did not work well since there is such a large jump to the rifling. Lots of pressure lost from blow-by would account for some lost velocity, too. Going to a heavy round-nose bullet should let me seat the ogive closer to the rifling and still fit the mag.

 

[Newtosavage]

150's and 154 russian ammo shoots much better for me than all but one brand of 123's I've tried. I am sticking with the 150's in my handloads, and I'm also sticking with RL-7 powder. I shot a sub 1/2" group at 100 yards the other day with RL-7 and 150-grain Remington Core-lokt soft point bulk bullets traveling at 2300 fps.