7.62/39 recipe

Wondering if anyone has tried imr4198, 3031 or blc2 with good results.

I've tried all of them, depends on what you're looking for concerning "good results"

Accuracy can be good but velocities aren't as good. To bulky and slow for the cartridge, but likely still acceptable, depending on your needs.
 
Going to work up a load with CFE BLK and SSTs for the 527 here once I can get some time away from work. I read the ZMAX bullets are the same bullet just a different color tip, can anyone confirm?
 
I am experimenting with reloading the 7.62x39, but having difficulties finding .310-.311 bullets. The only thing available is the Hornady 123 g SST. I have tried IMR 4198 and CFE-BLK and have got 1-2 inch groups out of my Cz 527 at 100 yard. Average moa has been 1.5 inches, not exactly satisfactory, but good enough for deer hunting. I have never hunted with SST bullets. Don't know how they would perform.
I hope to find Barnes .310 bullets to experiment with.
 
LawrenceN,
what diameter lead are you using? A friend of mine just picked up a Howa mini, and now wanting to reload for it, but what I have read is some people use .308 lead. I'm not sure what or how that works with the reloading dies..because wouldn't you have to change the expander ball in the die? So this 7.62 is making me over think maybe?? I have been reloading for 30-35 years and never came across this issue.. since some people say all dependant on the rifle manufacturer to what bore diameter they use..

I believe the Lee and Hornady dies come with a 308 expander ball as well
 
You are lucky. I have not been able to find any Barnes bullets in .310-311 anywhere. Do you know a place where I can order some?

I was going to point you to Valley Firearms but they are out. Sorry :( If my Howa groups them like poop I'd sell you mine though.
 
Going to work up a load with CFE BLK and SSTs for the 527 here once I can get some time away from work. I read the ZMAX bullets are the same bullet just a different color tip, can anyone confirm?

I found that Reloader 7 gave slightly lower but more consistent velocities/accuracies than CFE BLK
 
Thanks for the reply bearhunter. I’ve just recently acquired a Ruger ranch in 7.62x39 and have been doing as much reloading research as I can. Planning on plinking and deer hunting with it. Hornady 123 sst seem to be readily available. Trying to see if there is info on powders I already have versus buying something new like reloader 7 or cfe black. So that’s why I was asking about the IMR4198, 3031, and BLC2
 
my recipe

pull chinese steel case rounds

weight powder from 10 diffrent cases.

average it out. start dumping the powder in my thrower...

re throw 100 cases (usually have to pull 101)
seat hornady 123gr SST

group size was cut by about 60%
down to 1.5moa ish out of an MCR

its now a hood hunting round as well.
 
Bit of an update here. I worked up to the maximum load shown in the Barnes data for their 123gr TSX and RL-7, using their COAL and a moderate crimp. When sighting in, my 4 shot group was 1.3" overall, with the best 3 shots going into 0.86

I have no doubt it could manage better with some tweaking or with a better shooter! But as a 200 yard hunting rifle I'm just fine with that.

Will be trying some Gold Dots soon.
 
I have settled on 24.6g IMR4198 and CFE-BLK 29.6g, with 123 SST and 123 Hornady SP. Both shoots well. average 1.1moa with best 3 shots 0.4moa. Bench shooting with front and rear sand bags, of course. With just the bipod, I average a little less, but often sub moa.
 
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