.303 loads from 7.62X39 rds?

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millwright

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Howdy all.I've been mulling over pulling some of my czech 7.62 and using the bullet and powder charge for a reduced load in my Enfields.Anyone else try this yet?Thanks
 
Sounds like a waste of good 7.62x39 cartridges to me. You don't know the burning rate of the powder used to load those cases or how much you can safely load into a 303 Brit case. I suspect if you just use the same powder charge as in the x39 case you will have a dangerous "squib" load. You might be able to make it safe with a filler but is it worth it?

There are bullets available in .311 diameter right down to 125 grns from all of the prominent makers and there are loads listed for them as well that are safe with modern powders and primers.

Another problem with those bullets is they've been lacquered in or crimped into place. The lacquer needs to be cleaned and if crimped, the bullet jacket will have been distorted. Then there is the huge amount of free bore which will further deteriorate accuracy.

I wouldn't do it unless I knew exactly what the condition of the components was and what type they were specifically the powder.
 
Works great. The bullets are actually cheaper than buying surplus .303 bullets and you get the powder also. If you cast your own then it would be cheaper to load with commercial powder and a cast bullet but not by much. As far as lacquered bullets go the easiest way is screw the bullet seating stem down in your .303/7.62x39 die so you are not touching the case when it goes in, and actually push the bullet in about 1/16" farther into the case, just enough to break the seal and then there is no problem with pulling the bullet. There is about 25-26 grn of powder and it makes a great plinking load with about 3/4 power in the Enfield. I get acceptable accuracy from my No.4's about 3" at 50 yards with the surplus powder, great for the kids to learn shooting without a lot of muzzle flash or kick. If you get rid of the powder and use IMR 3031 then I can get about 1-1.5" at 50 yards but really what are you going to use a small FMJ bullet on anyway other than plinking and practice and 3" at 50 yards is just fine for that.
 
It is just to bad you can't salvage the primers also out of the steel case,lol. I have been doing this for years, got the idea when I measured an sks bullet and gave it a whirl. Like Bearhunter says about being cautious, the first time at the range I tied the rifle to an old tire I brought and fired it from 15 feet away with a string, just in case,lol. To pull the bullet i have been using the hammer type pullers and I want to try one of the Hornady Cam-lock bullet pullers to see if it is much easier and faster.
 
A friend tried using powder and bullets from Czech 7.62x39 into .303 brit cases and it wasn't good accuracy wise .Also had two cases give hot powder blow back in his face,End of experiment.Harold
 
mbogo3 said:
A friend tried using powder and bullets from Czech 7.62x39 into .303 brit cases and it wasn't good accuracy wise .Also had two cases give hot powder blow back in his face,End of experiment.Harold
Click to expand...

Never heard of that in a bolt action rifle unless the case ruptures.
 
couldn't you weight each powder charge from the sks cases and take a average charge from that .
then dump all the powder into the same container and mix it up really well , then when reloading the 303 measure the same amount of powder back into the 303 case , maybe even bumping it up a grain or so at a time till you get signs of pressure ?
 
It happened today out of a No#1 MKIII LE.The case came out 1/2 black from the neck back.Also had keyholing at 50 yards so the bore may be worn? Harold ... Oh well he only made up 10 or so.............
 
This is correct, if the case is black from the mouth to down the shoulder, it's because the shoulder cone did not tighten under pressure.
 
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