7.62x39 first time reloader looking for tips

mb571

mb571

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Hi Folks,
just ordered some bits to reload 7.62x39 for a Russian SKS.
I have some corrosive steel core ammo but I decided to reload a bit for a few reasons.
1. Is that I can fire off a handful of rounds on any given range day and just run a jag down the bore without a complete strip down/cleaning.
2. During fire season, we get shut down shooting steel core ammo.
3. Because I enjoy reloading.
I have a package on the way with Lee dies, PRVI 123gr soft nose, CFE BLK power. I also have a couple pounds of BL-C(2) that I picked up awhile back for cheap that needs to be used.

Do you folks have a favourite load, COL length for a Russian SKS?
What is a typical brass trim length?
Any tips are appreciated.
 
I've loaded many hundreds (probably a thousand?) rounds of 7.62x39. Used A1680, A2015, BCL2, and H335 powders. Not sure exactly why but I liked the A1680 the best followed by BCL2 (ball powders). With A2015 the case is pretty much full. I find my SKS cycles with lighter loads than my Type 81 so lately been loading near the top of the powder levels. Lots of data out there - I have Lee, Lyman, Hornady, Hodgdon plus online sources including Western Powders (Accurate), Speer, and Nosler (I like making a table of all sources I can).

I'm not loading for accuracy, but because we can't use steel core or steel jacket at one of my local ranges, and as you say, I don't want to clean corrosive salts using corrosive ammo. I have, in the past, pulled steel core projectiles and replaced them with lead-core projectiles in my surplus chinese ammo SPAM cans - then clean with Ballistol.

COL - max length is what I use as some of my projectiles are long and compresses the powder. Trim length? I use the Lee Quick Trim die to make my brass a consistent length.

All done on my single stage press with Lee RGB dies, generally load 50 at a time.
 
I use a cast lead 115gr pointed bullet now but I've had good results with AA1680 using 123gr bullets. H322 is also good. I haven't trimmed any brass yet(just got a trimmer). COL - I haven't measured yet, just seat at cannalure depth.
 
wasa said:
I've loaded many hundreds (probably a thousand?) rounds of 7.62x39. Used A1680, A2015, BCL2, and H335 powders. Not sure exactly why but I liked the A1680 the best followed by BCL2 (ball powders). With A2015 the case is pretty much full. I find my SKS cycles with lighter loads than my Type 81 so lately been loading near the top of the powder levels. Lots of data out there - I have Lee, Lyman, Hornady, Hodgdon plus online sources including Western Powders (Accurate), Speer, and Nosler (I like making a table of all sources I can).

I'm not loading for accuracy, but because we can't use steel core or steel jacket at one of my local ranges, and as you say, I don't want to clean corrosive salts using corrosive ammo. I have, in the past, pulled steel core projectiles and replaced them with lead-core projectiles in my surplus chinese ammo SPAM cans - then clean with Ballistol.

COL - max length is what I use as some of my projectiles are long and compresses the powder. Trim length? I use the Lee Quick Trim die to make my brass a consistent length.
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Thanks very much for the great input. Have you ever measured your trim length? I have an adjustable lyman trimmer that you have to set.
 
With 123gr bullets 25.5gr/H4198 150gr .311 bullets 29gr/ H335 in a CZ527 carbine
 
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Use Hornady SST bullets. WHY? they work well and the local store has lots in stock. Fast powders IMR 4198 is used a lot. Trim to load book spec. Crimp lightly into cannlure. I load to function well in SKS.
 
The Privi and Hornady SP work fine on game as well even moose last fall . Magnum primers shrunk my groups 50% with the same loads.
 
I use WC735, old surplus similar to H335, works good in the x39, pretty full case, I use 31grs with the 123's.
 
I use 32 grains of H335 with a hornady 123 gr bullet
Load is slightly compressed
Works really good in a cz 527 but I’m sure would work just as good in an sks
 
123gr Hornady (SP or FMJ) with approx 24-25 gr H4198 (different primers). 31.5gr H335 also works with the same bullets, a bit more pressure so bolt guns like CZ527 like it better than semis.
 
mb571 said:
Thanks very much for the great input. Have you ever measured your trim length? I have an adjustable lyman trimmer that you have to set.
Click to expand...

I use calipers and anything over 38.8 mm (1.528 as per Lee 2nd Ed) I put through my QuickTrim to bring them to whatever it brings them down to (don't remeasure - just into the quick trim die and give the cutting tool a few spins with my drill)

Lyman 48th says trim to 1.518" (38.6mm)
 
mbogo3 said:
The Privi and Hornady SP work fine on game as well even moose last fall . Magnum primers shrunk my groups 50% with the same loads.
Click to expand...

Not sure I will experiment with primers to shrink groups on an SKS. I ran a primer comparison test today with my 6.5 Creedmoor and was surprised at how little difference I got. The group size has some me factor in it for sure. 250 yard target (small rifle primers)
CCI 400 2719fps GS: 1.06"
CCI 450 Magnum 2706fps GS: 2.60"
Fed 205M 2710fps GS: 2.38"
Fed AR-M 2722fps GS: 0.66"
 
As for accurate. I was getting frustrated with a med WT buck 4x4 that we would see crossing the cutline in the dark to his bed but never with enough light to legally shoot him.Went and set up in his bed in a willow jungle creek bottom 2 hours before legal shooting light in CAF whites and a shooting stick with my CZ527.Got settled in minding the wind and at first light I can hear the snow crunching with approaching hoof steps.At 30 yards through a small opening I can see the buck facing me fleming/mouth wide open licking the air.Throat patch visible but not a defined target.I knew the bullet would be about 2" low at that range so being rock steady off the sticks I placed the crosshairs on the top of his nose and set the hair trigger.He knew something was up as the gun cracked he did a backwards cartwheel brain stem shattered.The bullet had entered his open mouth never touched the tongue or palate and destroyed the base of the skull and spinal cord at the ball and socket.Lucky shot? No that's where I was aiming.
 
Hey mbogo3 ,
Looking for reloading info and tips on 7.62x39 handloads. Yer taking my thread off on a hard left tangent.
 
mbogo3 said:
As for accurate. I was getting frustrated with a med WT buck 4x4 that we would see crossing the cutline in the dark to his bed but never with enough light to legally shoot him.Went and set up in his bed in a willow jungle creek bottom 2 hours before legal shooting light in CAF whites and a shooting stick with my CZ527.Got settled in minding the wind and at first light I can hear the snow crunching with approaching hoof steps.At 30 yards through a small opening I can see the buck facing me fleming/mouth wide open licking the air.Throat patch visible but not a defined target.I knew the bullet would be about 2" low at that range so being rock steady off the sticks I placed the crosshairs on the top of his nose and set the hair trigger.He knew something was up as the gun cracked he did a backwards cartwheel brain stem shattered.The bullet had entered his open mouth never touched the tongue or palate and destroyed the base of the skull and spinal cord at the ball and socket.Lucky shot? No that's where I was aiming.
Click to expand...

Excellent story H, thanks for that
 
Fassteel said:
i have loaded for 2 bolt guns in this caliber a 527 CZ and a sweet Zastava, both love Reloder 7 powder,,,./... a lot....FS
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Thanks for getting the thread back on track. Have never tried any of the Alliant brand yet. Have CFE BLK coming, a little bit of H335 that I use for lighter 223, and a couple pounds of BL-C(2) that I picked up at Can Tire for a song. Reloader 7 is # 73 on the burn chart and CFE BLK is #70 so really quite close.
 
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