Reloading 7.62x39

[Shooter14854]

Hey all. I’m trying to reload some 7.62x39 and have a few questions. For starters, is it safe/effective to use .308 caliber bullets? I ordered some RCBS dies and noticed it was set up for .311 caliber bullets and the expander ball needed to be switched to .308. I’m planning on running them out of a standard Palmetto AK47 and also out of an M+M industries M10x. Thanks!

 

[AJC1]

It may work fine, or you could have accuracy issues due to being undersized for your bore. You have a chance with jacketed, lead that undersized would require a cleaning you would only ever do once.

 

[BJung]

I tested Hornady .312-150gr SP, Speer .311-150, Hornady 123gr SP, Speer .311-123SP, and Barnes 123 and 150gr SP through my sks. The Hornady 150gr shoots the best. I think you might have accuracy issues with the .308. If you cast, maybe try PC the bullets and size to .311 or .312.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I run .311 in mine. I would be conerned with gas cutting in the chamber and 1st part of the bore. Slug your barrel before trying .308. Im going to slug mine then. I have a Ruger American ranch in 7.62x39.

 

[Bcwitt]

That is likely already a 308. Bore. Ruger used a 308 bore for decades & it works fine w 311 bullets. Early foreign made barrels were 311. It is no longer legal to build guns w imported barrels. All new US production guns have US made barrels. Ive used 308 bullets in several 311 bored guns in varying calibers. Accuracy was fine.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Mine is made in 2022. Just got it a few months ago. If it is .308 that would be awesome. I can get the .308 through accura outdoors. For mucn less than Berry's .311's.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Oh and your RCBS dies should come with a .308 and a .311 button. Mine did.

 

[Shooter14854]

That is likely already a 308. Bore. Ruger used a 308 bore for decades & it works fine w 311 bullets. Early foreign made barrels were 311. It is no longer legal to build guns w imported barrels. All new US production guns have US made barrels. Ive used 308 bullets in several 311 bored guns in varying calibers. Accuracy was fine.

Thanks for the info! Is the same true in reverse in your experience? I mean using a .308 bullet in a .311 bore? Thanks again!

 

[BJung]

I apologize for not determining what rifles you were using. My rifle is a Chinese sks which is .310".

 

[Bcwitt]

Thanks for the info! Is the same true in reverse in your experience? I mean using a .308 bullet in a .311 bore? Thanks again!

Ive never had severe accuracy issues w slightly undersized projos (312 bore w 308 projo, for example) it works reasonably well. Works better when sized properly. As for the oversize x39 bullet in a USA made 308 bore, there are an awful lot of them out there & it dosent seem to be causing a problem.

 

[Bcwitt]

It was a thing in Pakistan to ream a x39 chamber to take 8x33 kurz ammo. Would fire a .323 dia bullet down the .311 ak bore. Lol

 

[Pulldeaux]

Doing .308 in a .311 bbl they shoot high and group well
But is spin ok ,rotation numbers ??1 n ten ? FPS ok with spin??

 

[Bcwitt]

Doing .308 in a .311 bbl they shoot high and group well
But is spin ok ,rotation numbers ??1 n ten ? FPS ok with spin??

Wasnt a very well documented experiment. No change in POA. I set out to make blaster grade ammo w decent accuracy for 100yd. Standing. My impression was good, but generally dont bother to group if i get practical results. This was probably 3" or 4" ammo. Plenty accurate for fast shots @ close range. 200yd targets were not difficult to hit.

 

[Bcwitt]

I have loaded 7.7 jap w pulled down 7.62x54r bullet & powder. Great load.

 

[FROGO207]

I have had good luck using .308 jacketed bullets in X39 ammo for my ranch rifle and several SKS. The lead however needed to be at least .312 for good accuracy and no appreciable leading. The best way to find out if you can do it is to load up a few and test though. A .308 bullet will always be the less expensive option due to scale of production and demand in the US.

 

[BJung]

It is safe. It will only be as effective as you want. If you're shooting for groups, maybe not so effective. If you're shooting at cans for fun, effective. Here is my target shot at 50 yards shot with open sights using the Hornady .312".

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

My bore slugged at .311. I pushed a .312 95 grain cast bullet through.

 

[stoney1666]

x39 AR, 310 bore, 308 and 311, all shoot good, like the 150 gr bullets not the russ 124.

 

[Bcwitt]

I have loaded 7.7 jap w pulled down 7.62x54r bullet & powder. Great load.

My bore slugged at .311. I pushed a .312 95 grain cast bullet through.

Early mini thirtys were 308 bore. I guess they went to 311 @ some point.

 

[n2omike]

I have some Sierra listed as '303' bullets. They are 0.311 diameter, and are 125 grain flat based soft points.
These should work great in the SKS/AK47 guns that have these larger bores.
I tried them with a nice warm load of CFE BLK in an SKS.

This gun is horribly inaccurate, no matter what ammo it digests. I've tried 123 grain Russian steel, 154 grain Russian soft point, and the old FMJ that came in the spam can on stripper clips back when the gun was first purchased back in the 80's for $89. lol The old ammo from the spam can shot a lot better than the Russian stuff purchased later. The hand loads equaled the stuff from the spam can.

I've shot 60 rounds of it, and have 240 of the Sierras remaining. It was only purchased a year or so ago, so should still be out there. I had hoped it would be the 'cure' for this old bottom level SKS, but it only shoots around 4-5" at 50 yards, so it probably won't be going on any hunting trips soon. lol

When shopping online, they often don't show up when you click on 30 caliber... as they are listed as 303 caliber.

 

[BJung]

I have sks testloads that I need to finish shooting. One of which is Tulammo that I pulled, shot ladder test string, and readjusted the powder charge for accuracy. I then replaced the factory bullets with various 123gr bullets. Try this.

 

[kerreckt]

I have used with good success PPU 123 gr. .310 diameter fmj with my mini30. Loaded with W680 and IMR4198. Best wishes

 

[AK Hunter]

From looking at the numbers in the reloading book it looks like the lighter the bullet the less dia size is needed. The 108 - 110gr bullets the book calls for a dia of .310, the 123 -125gr it calls for a .311 dia & the 147 - 150gr it calls for a .312.
Sounds reasonable the heavier the bullet the more contact it needs against the rifling.