Any reason not to load 7.62x39 with imr4064, bolt gun, cast bullet

H

HankC1

New member
I know 4064 is too slow for 7.62x39 and no load data, but I am not loading for 16" barrel AK semi-auto, but for shooting 123 gr coated cast bullet out of bolt gun with 22" barrel. Any reason not to do it? I have plenty 4064!
 
A full load of 4064 should yield low pressure and low velocity. 4064 isn't hard to light. With the case full of powder, a stuck bullet doesn't seem likely. Accuracy might be ok. Any bolt action 7.62x39 is probably a pretty strong gun.
Sounds reasonable to try it.
 
There being "no load data" should be your own answer. Cast bullets usually use shotgun or hand gun powders. Even out of a bolt gun.
 
I agree it's to slow, probably IMR4198 would be a better choice, this powder is listed for all bullet weights up to 135gr. I don't think it is a good idea to experiment with a powder not suitable for the chambering.. William
 
Cast bullets usually use shotgun or hand gun powders. Even out of a bolt gun.
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Not necessarily; there is plenty of rifle data using rifle powder and cast bullets. That said, I agree that 4064 is not a very good choice for the OP's application - being slower and bulkier you probably won't be able to get enough in the small 7.62x39 case to be useful. Probably why there isn't data...
 
I know 4064 may not be the optimal powder for 7.62x39, but I have plenty. Hodgdon has 7.62x39 125 gr SPR SP bullet load data with 28 gr (Min load) H4895 and get 2171 ft/s velocity; 29 gr (Max), 2249 ft/s. 4064 is bit slower than H4895 but not much, should have no concern of stuck bullet. Castpics.net has 308WIN IMR4064 load data for 148 gr RCBS cast bullet, shows 31 gr max charge and 1860 max velocity. No 7.62x39 listed. IMR 4064 powder volume density is 0.7450 and H4895 is 0.7280, so I should get 29.6 gr IMR4064 in 7.62x39 case while it takes 29 gr H4895 for 125 gr jacket bullet. 29.6 gr is not far from the Castpics 31 gr max load for 148 gr cast bullet for 308WIN. I want a little less powder anyway since I intend to load with 123 gr lead from Lucky13.

I would not attempt jacket bullet, cast bullet should get higher velocity in general and less concern of stuck bullet. I don't want velocity too high for cast anyway. The rifle is a 7.62x39 that I built from a Turkish large ring 98 Mauser.

Do I miss something and maybe unsafe to try? Safety and accuracy is the question, not performance. I only punch paper at 50 yds.
 
Given the small case and slow powder, I think the problem would be getting enough pressure, even with a lightly compressed charge. A jacketed or heavier bullet might work better.
 
I would THINK that you'd want to use the slower burning powders w/heavier projectiles (assuming there's enough room in the case to load it with enough powder to make it work). In a bolt-action 7.62x39, I'm betting that H4895 and 150 gr. projectiles intended for use in .30-30 might work well. Not so sure about 4064.
 
I've tried a case full of 4895 under my Lee 155's with decent results, around 1600fps. I would think 4064 to be similar.

My go-to is Reloder 7, or 4198 when I can find it.
 
4064 is slow burning but so is 3031 and I have data and have used 3031 in 7.62 x 39. I am thinking that 25 -27 grains should do just fine with that bullet.
 
I'd try it. I worked up a load for my NHM-91 using a 170gr lead bullet and AA2520, which has a burn rate about the same as 4064. The rifle functions fine.
 
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