AK-47.net:
Reloading 7.62 x 39mm |
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By
Bob Horn
Subject: 1. Introduction
The 7.62x39 cartridge is, in many ways, a reloaders dream. It's economical to load and exceptionally accurate (even questionable surplus ammo is often
more accurate than one would expect).
Nevertheless, it hasn't piqued the interest of reloaders in the same way as it's smaller offspring, the .22 and 6mm PPC cartridges. This is probably
due to the availability of inexpensive East European and Chinese ammunition. After all, reloading is primarily an economical measure for most shooters,
and loaded ammunition has, until recently, been cheaper than reloads. All this started to change in the U.S. after the importation of arms and ammunition
from China was banned by executive order. The BATFE has further complicated matters by classifying ComBloc steel and steel-core bulleted ammunition
as "Armor Piercing." Chinese ammunition, though still available, isn't as cheap as it once was. Russian ammunition is often little less
expensive than reloadable U.S.-manufactured cartridges. For the first time since the 1968 ban on U.S. imports of surplus arms and ammunition was lifted
in 1986, reloading the 7.62x39 offers not only substantially improved performance, but economy as well.
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Subject: 2. Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Table of
Contents
3. Can Steel-cased
Ammunition be Reloaded?
4. Reloadable
(Boxer-primed) Brass
5. Bullets
6. Sources
7. Cast Bullets
8. Loading Data:
Disclaimer and Safety Notes
9. Loading Data
from C.E. Harris
10. Handloads With
Accurate Arms Powders
11. Handloads With
Hercules Powders
12. Handloads With
Hodgdon Powders
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Subject: 3. Can Steel-cased Ammunition be Reloaded?
This is probably the most frequently asked question about
reloading the
7.62x39. Opinion is sharply divided on the subject, with
some taking
the position that steel cases are perfectly OK to reload, and
others
that it is not only impractical, but downright dangerous.
Regardless, the availability of reloadable, boxer-primed brass
and the
expense and difficulty of dealing with Berdan primers makes
this a
dubious practice in this writer's opinion, at least in the
U.S.
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Subject: 4. Reloadable (Boxer-primed) Brass
The 7.62x39 cartridge is manufactured by Federal, Remington,
Winchester,
PMC, and Lapua, including inexpensive "white box"
FMJ rounds from
Federal (American Eagle), Winchester (USA brand), and PMC.
Brass is available from Federal, Winchester, Remington, IMI,
and Lapua
(and, no doubt, others this writer has neglected).
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Subject: 5. Bullets
Bullets suitable for the 7.62x39 are available from many of
the major
U.S. manufacturers, although they are sometimes listed under
".303
British." Look for a .310- to .311-inch diameter
bullet in the 120- to
130-grain weight range. Acceptable results have also
been reported
using .308-inch, 150-grain jacketed bullets intended for the
.30-30.
------------------------------
Subject: 6. Sources
The following suppliers list 7.62x39 components in their most
recent
catalogs. The list is by no means exhaustive.
Gander Mountain (Brass, Bullets)
Box 248, Hwy W
Wilmot, WI 53192
USA
For Orders Call: (800) 558-9410
Fax Orders: (800)
533-2828
Int'l Orders: (414) 862-3406
Int'l Fax Orders: (414) 862-3516
Customer Service: (800) 426-3371
Commercial Accts: (414) 862-3405
TDD: (800) 558-3554
French/Spanish Translators: (800) 558-9410
Graf & Sons (Brass, Bullets, Bullet Moulds)
Rt. 3, Hwy. 54 S.
Mexico, MO 65265
USA
Technical Service or Questions: (314) 581-2266
Fax: (314) 581-2875
Telephone Orders: (800) 531-2666
Midway (Brass, Bullets)
5875-L W. Van Horn Tavern Rd.
Columbia, MO 65203
USA
Telephone: (800) 243-3220
Fax: (314) 446-1018
Natchez Shooters Supplies (Bullets, Bullet Moulds)
Box 22247
Chattanooga, TN 37422
USA
Telephone Orders: (800)
251-7839
Information and TN res: (615) 899-0499
Fax: (615) 892-4482
Widener's Reloading and Shooting Supply, Inc. (IMI Brass,
Bullets)
P.O. Box 3009 CRS
Johnson City, TN 37602
USA
Telephone: (615) 282-6786
Fax: (615) 282-6651
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Subject: 7. Cast Bullets
The only cast bullet moulds truly proper for the 7.62x39 are
those based
on C.E. Harris's 52A design for NEI. Following the
demise of that
company, Harris made the design available to Lee, which
produces moulds
as their 312-155-2R and TL312-160-2R designs. Now that
NEI is back in
business (51583 Columbia River Hwy., Scappoose, OR 97056, USA)
Walt
Melander can provide Harris's original 52A design.
Gas port fouling with self-loading rifles is surprisingly
light. The
gas piston of SKS and AK-derived rifles will foul, but this is
readily
taken care of with a little steel wool, Marvel Mystery Oil (or
Dexron
IIe/III Automatic Transmission Fluid), and elbow grease.
Harris has
reported that fouling with the Ruger Mini-30 was only a
problem during
endurance testing.
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Subject: 8. Loading Data: Disclaimer and Safety Notes
The author hereby disclaims all liability with respect to the
use of
this document. Users of this document assume all risk,
responsibility,
and liability whatsoever for any and all injuries (including
death),
losses, or damages arising from the use of this information.
Unless otherwise noted, all charges are maximum and should be
reduced
10% and worked up, looking for signs of excessive pressure.
Every
attempt has been made to insure that the data are correct,
however it is
recommended that they be verified with published sources
wherever
possible.
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Subject: 9. Load Data from C.E. Harris
Handloads With Midway* Cases,
Winchester Large Rifle Primers
Ctg. OAL 2.19"
Source: C.E. Harris
Vel @ 15' Pressure
Remarks
(f.p.s.) (c.u.p.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
123-gr. Lapua FMJ 2325
52,080
Maximum,
26.5 grs. RL-7
18 Sd
1450 Sd do not
exceed
125-gr. Sierra .308 2167
43,170
24.5 grs. H4198
27 Sd
2730 Sd
125-gr. Sierra .308 2220
43,240
Compressed
28.0 grs. H322
13 Sd
740 Sd
charge
123-gr. Lapua FMJ 2181
42,240
27.5 grs. H322
13 Sd
890 Sd
* Cases manufactured by Brass Extrusion Laboratories, Ltd.
Handloads With NEI 52A or Lee
312-155-2R/TL312-160-2R Cast Bullet
Source: C.E. Harris
Starting loads:
Powder
Charge
---------------------------------
2400
15.0 grs.
IMR or Hodgdon 4227 16.0 grs.
IMR or Hodgdon 4198 20.0 grs.
RL-7
21.5 grs.
Miscellaneous:
Powder Charge
Vel (20.5" Remarks
bbl SKS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.5-15.5 grs. 2400
Cast of wheel weights, sized
.312", good "I want to shoot NOW"
load. Consider 15.5 grs. Max.
16 grs. AA1680
1420 fps
18 grs. AA1680
1630 fps
20 grs. AA1680
Maximum load
18 grs. Olin 680** 1810 fps
19 grs. Olin 680** 1930 fps
Maximum load
21.0-22.0 grs. RL-7 1900-1950 fps
28 grs. AA2230
around 2000 fps
28 grs. AA2460
"
28 grs. H335
"
** Discontinued
162-gr. cast from wheel weight alloy, no gas check:
Powder
Charge
---------------------------------------------
4227
12-14 grs.
AA1680
15.0-16.0 grs.
4198 or RL-7
17.0 grs.
4895
18.0 grs.
Bullseye
No more than 5 grs.
WW231
"
SR-7625
"
Green Dot
"
Red Dot
"
700-X
"
Unique
No more then 6 grs.
PB
"
Herco
"
SR-4756
"
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Subject: 10. Handloads With Accurate Arms Powders
Source: Accurate Arms
Gun: SKS
Bbl Length: 24"
Primer: Fed. 210
Case: IMI
Powder Charge Vel
Bullet
Type (grs.) (fps)
-------------------------------------
100 (L) 2230
27.0 1966
2460 27.5 1950
100
1680 28.5 2614
2015 28.5 2138
2230 30.0 2312
2460 30.0 2300
110
1680 28.5 2561
2015 28.5 2149
2230 30.0 2313
2460 30.0 2272
123
1680 26.5 2350
2015 28.5 2188
2230 30.0 2281
2460 30.0 2172
130
1680 26.5 2313
2015 28.5 2176
2230 30.0 2247
2460 30.0 2231
135
1680 26.5 2332
2015 28.5 2189
2230 29.5 2226
2460 30.0 2203
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Subject: 11. Handloads With Hercules Powders
Source: Hercules
Case: Federal
Primer: CCI 200
Bbl Length: 20"
Min OAL Powder
Charge Vel Pres
Bullet
(inches) Type
(grs.) (fps) (cup)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Speer 100gr Plinker 1.830
2400
16.5 2240 44,900
Sierra 110gr HP
2.055 2400
16.0 2115 44,800
Reloder 7 26.5 2330
38,300
Hornady 123gr SP
2.155 2400
15.3 1915 44,900
Reloder 7 25.5 2330
45,000
Sierra 150gr JP
2.000 2400
14.8 1800 45,000
Reloder 7 24.8 2145
44,600
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Subject: 12. Handloads With Hodgdon Powders
Source:
Hodgdon
Bbl Length: 24"
Max Case Length: 1.525"
Trim To Length: 1.520"
Note: Hodgdon recommends reducing listed charges by 6%
rather than 10%.
Bullet Wt. Powder
Charge Vel
Pres
(grs.)
Type (grs.)
(fps) (cup)
------------------------------------------------------
123-125
BL-C(2) 31.5
2349 38,800
H335 31.5
2408 40,900
H4895 29.0
2249 33,600
H322 29.0
2323 35,400
H4198 26.5
2378 40,400
150
BL-C(2) 29.5
2090 40,400
H335 29.0
2132 42,500
H4895 28.0
2154 39,300
H322 28.5
2192 40,400
H4198 24.5
2122 39,800
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