loading for 7.62 x 39

[Robin]

Im thinking of putting together an upper in this caliber for two reasons, take advantage of the cheap ammo, though that may not be the case soon, and to reload for a hunting cartridge. From what I understand the bore diameter is not .308, but .311 + or - .001. has anyone reloaded for this cartridge using standard .308 bullet's? How was accuracy and consistency? Well three reasons, I already have an upper receiver and bolt carrier assembly with that bolt, still looking at barrels. Any information on your experiences with this cartridge in an AR configuration would be appreciated.
Robin

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Im thinking of putting together an upper in this caliber for two reasons, take advantage of the cheap ammo, though that may not be the case soon, and to reload for a hunting cartridge. From what I understand the bore diameter is not .308, but .311 + or - .001. has anyone reloaded for this cartridge using standard .308 bullet's? How was accuracy and consistency? Well three reasons, I already have an upper receiver and bolt carrier assembly with that bolt, still looking at barrels. Any information on your experiences with this cartridge in an AR configuration would be appreciated.
Robin

I have brass/dies and have reloaded for this cartridge. I rarely do anymore though. It' hard to beat steel case in pricing but as you've said that may not be the case soon. If I do reload for it it's for subsonic loads. But after getting a 300 BLK it has made reloading for it a moot point (x39 is much quieter though). I've always used .310-.311 bullets but I think you'd be better off slugging your barrel to see exactly what your barrel mics out to. If you do experiment with 308 though you should get the lee set that has mandrels for 308 and 310. Also, if you will be shooting out of an AK the rifle will almost surely chew up your brass. You can get an adjustable gas piston to mitigate that.

 

[redtail]

Grafs usually has .311 projos.

 

[dsdmmat]

I have been reloading 7.62x39 for my AKs, .311 I think the mini 30 and the AR 7.63x39 barrels are .308 though.

 

[Russ Woody]

I reload 7.62x39 for my Mini 30 for deer hunting and general range plinking. My go to powder is H4198 and I load up between 24 and 25 grains in PPU brass usually. I also scrounge up range brass when I can. I stocked up on PPU ammo from Targetsportsusa a long time ago. I have quite a few rounds of factory and reloads on hand all the time.
My favorite projo is Hornady 123 g SST's and they are .310 diameter. I have also used Sierra Pro Hunter 125g Spitzer. They call these out as .303 but the diameter is truly .311. I haven't noticed any better accuracy with any of the loads.
A common misconception out there on the "web" is that Mini 30's are .308 and that is simply not true I humbly say. The first production runs were in fact .308 but they are real scarce now and all the runs after that are .310.
I am on another forum at Perfect Union that is probably the most comprehensive site as to the Mini's on the web. Anything and everything you could want to know about Mini's and reloading the 7.62x39 can be found there.
Another good powder for the 7.62x39 is AA2016 that is a favorite among reloaders.

 

[turbobike]

Best Hunting 7.62x39 load...SST 123gr bullet, winchester case, CCI primer, 29.7gr of CFEBLK 2550-2575fps average from my AR, 40,500psi well below the 51,000 max psi.

 

[Robin]

Thats pretty impressive Turbobike!!!!!! Have you tried any CFE223, I have a ton of that? What barrel length do you have?
Robin

 

[Russ Woody]

I'm not Turbobike but I looked thru 3 reloading manuals and didn't see anything with CFE 223 @Robin

 

[Robin]

I'm awash with it, and Varget.
Robin

 

[Russ Woody]

Trade you 1 lb, of H4198 for 1 lb. Varget. Google says were 2 hrs away from each other. I will drive an hour to trade. I NEED Varget in my powder stash

 

[turbobike]

Hey Robin, my AR is a standard 16” barrel. I’ve never tried CFE223. Hogdons website lists that CFEBLK max load. The 2550fps is recorded through my Caldwell chrono…factory SST is about 2340-60…for COL with the SST I set them the same length as factory SST.

 

[Robin]

Trade you 1 lb, of H4198 for 1 lb. Varget. Google says were 2 hrs away from each other. I will drive an hour to trade. I NEED Varget in my powder stash

Sorry Russ, these days I'm hanging on to my supplies with a death grip.
Robin

 

[1075tech]

@Russ Woody, check with the LGS I got the other powder from. Call them once a week or so. If they have anything you're interested in, I can pick it up and bring it up to Binghamton.

Last week, they even had new Blackhorn 209. I haven't seen that in a while

 

[Russ Woody]

@Russ Woody, check with the LGS I got the other powder from. Call them once a week or so. If they have anything you're interested in, I can pick it up and bring it up to Binghamton.

Last week, they even had new Blackhorn 209. I haven't seen that in a while

Quattros Farm Store right?

 

[1075tech]

Quattros Farm Store right?

Yes. In Pleasant Valley. 845-635-8335. Closed Tues/Weds/Thu.

 

[Kent Goldings]

Depending on the actual bore diameter of your barrel, loading .308 bullets might not yield optimum results. I think some one Ruger M77s were chambered in 7.62x39 had .308 bores. But, my American Ranch in 7.62x39 has a .310 bore. Luckily, .310 bullets designed for 7.62x39 are available.

Ballistic tips as well has SP bullets are available in 123 grains from both Nosler and Hornady. Paired with a Hodgdon CFE BLK, you can make a respectable load for white-tails or hogs out to 200 yards.

 

[turbobike]

290 yards, nuisance permit, neck pass-through, no bullet, and minimal expansion on exist hole, ran 15 yards and layed down . AR 16” barrel 123gr SST 29.6gr CFEBLK. Shoots 4-6” group at 300 yards, bench resting….

 

[Kent Goldings]

I use 31 grains of CFE BLK. The muzzle velocity pushes 2600 FPS from a 16-inch barrel on a nice day. Your mileage may vary. But, the compact x39 case dies not waste any powder in a shorter barrel.