7.62 x 39

[TimC]

yes folks, I'm back with questions. This time not for the 125 gn .311 bullet in my 303, that is working fine and a check zero is planned for tomorrow before saturdays Fallow Pricket Cull.
I have ordered a CZ 527 which I believe is a .311 bore and I need to get a load to meet the deer act minimum MV here of 1700 ftlbs. That equates t roughly 2500 fps in the 125 grain I believe. Powders available are Hogdons, Vhit and some IMR 4895 or 4831. I may have some REL left over. Ideas, opinions and plain gibberish welcome. I will have enough time to filter through. It is to get my youngest lad shooting deer and also for close up work in the woods. I have only taken 2 deer in 4 years at over 100yds so this may be a real boon!
I have lots of Sierra 125 grain .311 pills and am hoping to get started on the doe season this October 31st. That gives me this summer to test loads on the farm and foxes!

 

[prosper]

Most of the published loads top out at 2400 fps. But most were developed for the SKS, and a 20" barrel. With your CZ, I'd start with one of the published loads, maybe using H-335, and see where that leads. With a longer barrel & no gas re-icocking system, you might be good right there. If not, I'd suspect that the CZ action is a lot stronger than an SKS, so you might be OK going slightly over the maximum published loads. Just go slow, and watch for pressure signs

 

[TimC]

Thanks for that, a UK stalker used a custom mauser in M43 and it was all handloads as not even Kynamco were interested it seems. It may mean that I am the second only to actively stalk with this round which is ok. I was surprised that when I got my FAC renewed with the new calibre added that they were less concerned over ME levels and the deer act but that I already had a 7.62 calibre. I thought about saying that my 308 tgt rifle was not a practicle stalking rifle as it is an F class type toy but sod them I explained that this was the evil AK round and they werent bothered, how odd I thought.
I was hoping that the CZ would be better made/proofed to a higher level than military sks type and then I could have as much fun developing the load and then tuning for accuraccy. I used to have to wait for range time but now having access to 300 acres it is never an issue!