Anyone here load 7.62x39? Tips?

[Clark]

TimSr
The hardest part of economic 7.62x39 is finding reloadable boxer primed brass. Most of the cheap stuff everybody leaves lying around is useless for reloading.

I hoarded RP small Boxer primer 7.62x39mm brass when it was available 10 or 15 years ago. I wanted to compare the maximum pressure to Win large Boxer primer brass. Things were inconclusive.

But today I chambered a Mauser in 6mmBR, needing a 13th Mauser for my universal steel bedding project.

I see I got a 7.62x39 Mauser barrel long chambered from Randy Ketchum as he was closing his Lynnwood gun store when he got cancer.

I could do 7.62x39 Mauser for steel bedding later this week, but overload testing would still be way out there.

 

[chris in va]

In loading the coated cast bullets would it be useful to get the Lee universal expanding die?

Yes, it's almost a must with lead bullets, coated or not.

 

[MEATSAW]

How does the case mouth get closed after using the expander die?

 

[A pause for the COZ]

Case mouth closes by crimping. Ether with the seating die a LEE factory crimp die. ( my preferred way)

But both ways work.

 

[TimSr]

How does the case mouth get closed after using the expander die?

The bullet seating die is also a crimp die.

 

[A pause for the COZ]

I cannot begin to tell you how frustrating it is chasing that precious brass flung 30' away

I agree 110%, I did not shoot my SKS or AK very much because of it.

E&L Manufacturing makes catchers for the SKS and the AK.
I have one of each and now shoot these much much more often.
Well worth the money.

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

 

[Road_Clam]

Wow, those E&L brass catchers are awesome, I did not know anyone made something like that. I tried with limited sucess mounting my Caldwell AR brass catcher to my AK but the Caldwell kept moving out of position. Looks like that E&L box will also work in conjunction with my Kvar scope mount.