M43 7.62x39 Chinese to reload .303 Brit
- Thread starter Halifax1977
- Start date
I recommend hitting the inertia on a block of hardwood or you will break it.Pulling military bullet is best done by bumping the bullet back into the case with a FL sizing die breaking the seal some countries use in the necks to waterproof the ammo.Black like tar.I have used the collet style and they still mar /make a ring around the bullet........Harold
2x4 didn't work (I know, not hardwood) so I used what was handy, which was a brick. Seems to do the trick. Hardwood would probably be more forgiving to the puller, but I would think any amount of give to save the puller will be less inertia transferred to the bullet... In one youtube video I saw years ago a guy was using a piece of steel that was like 1/2" thick...
To pull the bullets, take the die out of the press, put loaded round in the shell holder, raise the round so the bullet is above the die hole, use a sidecutter to bite the bullet, and then lower the round with a snap. Bullet pulls out with a small mark on bullet. Still reloadable.
While that certainly works, is there any reason not to use a kinetic puller if you've got it (or are willing to spend $20ish on one to avoid dings in the bullet)?
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
Same experimental results, but I load to 40gr of powder. The 10% reduction seems adequate and they shoot without any pressure signs. No idea on velocity as it's more of a fun shooting gun than any serious accuracy testing.
Takes little effort and about 5 seconds a round to pull. Why not? Bullet marks are just cosmetic.
Fair enough. I guess that would be quicker and cleaner than the kinetic puller... Unless you've got the Lee Hand Press lol
I've been using a Lyman kinetic puller with good results, 54r seems to require less whacks than the x39. That being said I've found there is some technique to it, you don't want it to bounce after the hit. I use my concrete floor in the basement when the Mrs isn't home.
I pulled 10 Bulgarian x54r rounds and the average powder charge was 49.25gr, I reduced by 20% and loaded 39.4gr into the .303 brass. I'll let you guys know how it shoots.
I pulled 10 Bulgarian x54r rounds and the average powder charge was 49.25gr, I reduced by 20% and loaded 39.4gr into the .303 brass. I'll let you guys know how it shoots.
If you're going to use a piece of wood as a striking surface for your kinetic puller, you want to hit on the end grain. Striking on a cross grain surface will not be effective, as the wood will tend to dent and absorb energy.
Kinetic pullers are best if you only have a few bullets to pull because you don't have to set anything up. Using a press-mounted puller is better if you have several bullets to pull, as each bullet is quicker to pull and you don't have to deal with repetitive hammering. Each type is useful for different applications.
Kinetic pullers are best if you only have a few bullets to pull because you don't have to set anything up. Using a press-mounted puller is better if you have several bullets to pull, as each bullet is quicker to pull and you don't have to deal with repetitive hammering. Each type is useful for different applications.
If you want to pull a large quantity of bullets and salvage the powder, but will not be reusing the empty primed case, the fastest method is:
Use other empty cartridges, or a piece of metal barstock with a bullet-sized hole drilled through it. Insert the bullet portion into the empty cartridge or the hole in the barstock, wiggle back and forth until the neck is distorted and its grip on the bullet is broken, pull the bullet out with your fingers, dump the powder, and repeat. I've done a couple of thousand rounds of surplus 8X63 this way.
Use other empty cartridges, or a piece of metal barstock with a bullet-sized hole drilled through it. Insert the bullet portion into the empty cartridge or the hole in the barstock, wiggle back and forth until the neck is distorted and its grip on the bullet is broken, pull the bullet out with your fingers, dump the powder, and repeat. I've done a couple of thousand rounds of surplus 8X63 this way.
Man i love the little tips and ideas that you guys have. Being a relatively green reloader, all of the wisdom you guys with years or decades of experience provide is truely invaluable, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who's grateful.
Here here.
Shot both x39 and x54r loads yesterday and they turned out awesome. The 54r load was noticeably harder on the shoulder than the x39, and the x39 grouped about 3" higher at 50m. I don't have a chrono so cant say how fast they were going, but they certainly meet plinking criteria.
Excuse me while I go and pull 100 surplus Russian surplus x39 rounds for my next range trip.
Excuse me while I go and pull 100 surplus Russian surplus x39 rounds for my next range trip.
I did the x39 deal, loaded up a few .303 and fired them off. Very nice to shoot. I also did the 80% deal with x54R. Work like a charm.
I went one step further and used the leftover x39 and x54R primed cases. I put 5 gr. Unique in and topped it off with a 93gr. WW Lee cast bullet, then fired the x39 in a Baikal single shot, and the x54R in a 91/30. These would be okay to shoot in our indoor range.
I went one step further and used the leftover x39 and x54R primed cases. I put 5 gr. Unique in and topped it off with a 93gr. WW Lee cast bullet, then fired the x39 in a Baikal single shot, and the x54R in a 91/30. These would be okay to shoot in our indoor range.
The simple swap with x39 works fine but the velocity spread is massive. Somewhere around -/+400fps. Using Czech surplus I up the charge to 38 grains or so for a much more consistent 2800fps from a Jungle Carbine.
