Per SSA's comment, Wolf doesn't show a 154 grain load on their website, but http://tulammousa.com/tula_762x39.html. About 280 fps slower at the muzzle, giving it about 3% less muzzle energy. They don't give a BC and I don't see a trajectory table, so I don't know how it would compare past 250 yards. Might be worth asking them about it.
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Weird Performance.....
- Thread starter Wildernesshunter
- Start date
I would try a different bullet. It seems like your gun doesn't like the bullet....might be stability because it is 20% over the std bullet, that often impacts stability. Twist rate?
Also, i wonder if the pressure is too high and getting worse as you increase powder.....or way too low.
Also, i wonder if the pressure is too high and getting worse as you increase powder.....or way too low.
This comment is based on a single user so not a comprehensive test.
A customer told me he and his Daughter had shot 5 deer at ranges from 50 to 150 yards using 154 grain SP ammo. Only two deer were recovered although all 5 left at least some blood trail(the 2 recovered were shot when snow was present so trailing was improved). The two deer recovered showed only pencil sized full penetration wounds with little to no evidence of bullet expansion(the customer, an experienced LEO/animal control officer/hunter, compared the wound to what would be expected from a round nose FMJ). With this in mind, I don't recommend the use of heavier(especially bi-metal jacketed) bullets in the 7.62x39.
My personal factory load experience has been with 123 gr bullets (Hornady SST, PPU round nose SP, and European bi-metal HP)1 deer each. Both SST and PPU expanded fairly well while the Bi-metal HP showed evidence that it had tumbled rather than expanded. Handloads using Remington 125 grain (.3095" dia.) showed good expansion at 150 yards and under(3 deer total).
A customer told me he and his Daughter had shot 5 deer at ranges from 50 to 150 yards using 154 grain SP ammo. Only two deer were recovered although all 5 left at least some blood trail(the 2 recovered were shot when snow was present so trailing was improved). The two deer recovered showed only pencil sized full penetration wounds with little to no evidence of bullet expansion(the customer, an experienced LEO/animal control officer/hunter, compared the wound to what would be expected from a round nose FMJ). With this in mind, I don't recommend the use of heavier(especially bi-metal jacketed) bullets in the 7.62x39.
My personal factory load experience has been with 123 gr bullets (Hornady SST, PPU round nose SP, and European bi-metal HP)1 deer each. Both SST and PPU expanded fairly well while the Bi-metal HP showed evidence that it had tumbled rather than expanded. Handloads using Remington 125 grain (.3095" dia.) showed good expansion at 150 yards and under(3 deer total).
Unclenick is a sharp guy. Since your experience is very good with 123Gr. bullet and that's what Howa recommends then forget about going so heavy with the bullet. After all if you can't hit the target you loose.
If I were you I first of all would look for a bullet that performs best in the range of 123Gr. You should have some what of a window to work with. But the FMJ is not for hunting. Look at a bullet that opens quickly in the velocity range you will be using and will not loose any weight. When you find that you should have what you need. Sure you might need to try other powders or primers but it sounds like you are close with what you were using. Harmonics I'm sure is the issue...
It's easy to get wound up in the most power, fastest and BC... Although to have the rifle in tune is the most important. Think of the harmonics as sweet music. On target
If I were you I first of all would look for a bullet that performs best in the range of 123Gr. You should have some what of a window to work with. But the FMJ is not for hunting. Look at a bullet that opens quickly in the velocity range you will be using and will not loose any weight. When you find that you should have what you need. Sure you might need to try other powders or primers but it sounds like you are close with what you were using. Harmonics I'm sure is the issue...
It's easy to get wound up in the most power, fastest and BC... Although to have the rifle in tune is the most important. Think of the harmonics as sweet music. On target