Anyone loading 7.62x39?

mwells72774

New member
Looking for some decent loads, cast or jacketed. Looking to feed a bolt gun and sks

Have a lee 155gr GC and a lee 180gc mold
 
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AA 1680 is the powder of choice for the 7.62 x 39 with bullets from 125 and lighter.

If you can't get your hands on any 1680 look for some H-4198, VV N-120, H-322 or R-7.
 
I load for my mini-30 using H-322 which is my go-to powder for .223, 6.8 and x39. Only problem is finding the brass which is launched into orbit. An easy round to load.
 
I worked up a load with 180 gr .311" Sierra bullet and H110/W296 powder.

I tried large primer Win cases, small primer RP cases, and steel case pull downs. They are all weak. It blew the firing pin out the back of the Yugo SKS under test. I replaced it with a triangular cross sectioned Albanian SKS firing pin and gave up. Wimpy cartridge, wimpy brass, wimpy guns.
 
My actual best accuracy has been with H-335, with BLC-2 a close second. That is with Hornady 123 gr. flat based pointed soft points. (.310 dia)

I've had fun with the Lee tumble lube bullet (mine wind up around 162 gr.) and 2400 powder. Accuracy is good, but POI changes from standard loads.

I've even created a little gas block device to replace the gas piston and deactivate the action so that I can fire without semi-auto. (sks) Much prefetable to scrounging around in the dirt and weeds for my reloadable brass. jd
 
I loaded it for a short time. I preferred h4227. I don't have the data in front of me, but I believe I was wround 19gr for a 150gr and 21.5(ish) for a 125gr. use at your own risk, find some published data to verify.

I was loading for an SKS and never found a significant benefit in accuracy or savings over cheap steel ammo.
 
nothing wrong with cast in gas guns, but I would warn that powdercoating s a lot cleaner and may save some headaches
 
I apologize, I don't realize that h 4227 is discontinued. Although there is data for it, I was talking about imr
 
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I currently use 19gr of Reloder 7 under my GC 155's in my CZ. Chrono's around 1750. They are just plinkers though, accurate enogh to hit steel at 100yards standing.

I tried 4227 but wasn't impressed with the recoil impulse, felt snappier compared to the same FPS with 7.

I'm sure Armoredman will come along with his recipes.:cool:

I just checked my load data, 16gr of 4227 yields about 1550fps.
 
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Hm ok. Didnt think of RL7

For sks w/ jacketed sierra 150s I use 20gr 3031. Just for reference. Light recoil and much more accurate than factory fodder. Cycles just fine, brass hits about 1 o'clock 3-4' out
 
Hodgdon has loads in their reloading data website for the 7.62x39mm Russian.
I use 123 Gr Hornady's with H322 in my AR and 125 Sierra's with H335 in my bolt gun.
They also have data for 150 grain Hornady SP bullets.
With your 155 cast boolits, you may want to see if one of the members with quickload can get you a starting point.
I'm thinking the 180's are a bit much for that cartridge, but YMMV.
 
Just tried out the 150gr PH with 20gr of 3031 out of a m85 mini mauser and it was very nice. Recoil was light and pretty accurate at 50m with iron sights. Little over an inch group. I imagine after its scoped it will tighten up.
 
The whole point in reloading 7.62x39 is to shave cost. ( at least for me it is)
Esp now since the Import stuff has gone up.

For jacketed I usually wait till I find a good price on some 124 gr .310 pulls.
Then I buy a bunch. Last bunch I got for $39 per 500.
I run them ahead of WC844 surplus powder.

I also shoot cast ahead of RL-7, 4227, and 5744.

The only issues you have is saving your brass. SKS's esp will sling them to high heaven.

I did find a company that makes a brass catcher for AK's and SKS's.
Saves chasing the weeds on a brass hunt.

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I also reload steel to use as a SHF test and when I can not use the catcher.

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