7.62x39 brass

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KRJ

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Is it possible to form 7.62x39 soviet brass from any other cases. I have a die I never use because the surplus ammo is cheep and you never find the ejected cases any how. But I would like to use this die.
 
There are some possibilities but most I can think of are a lot rarer than 7.62x39 .necking down 401 self loader brass would make the guy that needs it a little aggravated . 6.5 carcano could be reformed but again taking something rare to make something common seems a bit backwards
 
Maybe not quite the answer that you're looking for, but I've had great luck finding cheap, once-fired 7.62x39 brass on the Equipment Exchange - mostly UMC and Federal / American Eagle but I just resized a bunch of it and it looks great. Maybe a lot less hassle than tweaking some other case type, especially when surplus 7.62x39 is so common. I like reloading enough that I don't mind making up a batch for the range, and I think this fall I'll experiment with my SKS and do some load development as something fun and different to do.

Regards,
Peter
 
One thing to watch for is that not all 7.62 x 39 brass use the same primers. I have some of unknown origin that use small rifle primers while the S&B use the large. It doesn't seen to effect the accuracy of my reloads though.
 
Making brass for a very common cartridge will cost a ton of money you could spend on the other components.
It'd take more than just necking down a .401. A .401 is a straight walled case. Looks like a big .30 Carbine.
 
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I've been trying to find once fired 7.62 brass for years, its pure unobtainium. I've checked with several vendors but no luck. Yes you can buy cheap steel case surplus, but most of it is corrosive and nearly all is steel core. You can buy new brass but its nearly the cost of loaded ammo, sometimes even more!
 
TheReal_Vader said:
I've been trying to find once fired 7.62 brass for years, its pure unobtainium. I've checked with several vendors but no luck. Yes you can buy cheap steel case surplus, but most of it is corrosive and nearly all is steel core. You can buy new brass but its nearly the cost of loaded ammo, sometimes even more!
Click to expand...

I just broke down and ordered two bags of PRVI from BudgetShooterSupply...

It is definitely worth reloading for 7.62x39 (unless you are just blasting away with an SKS, use surplus for that). I recently shot a sub 1/2" group with a 110gr Sierra Varmiter (.308) over 23gr H4198. Just picked up a bag of 500 123gr .312" Western Munition FMJ for a plinking load that I'm working on now (haven't shot any yet).

I was using Federal/Winchester brass (not both at the same time), but I am curious about giving the PRVI brass a try
 
I know I'm going to take flack....

Load steel.
Tumble it clean. Lube and resize. I water piston the primers out on my press. And reload with cast 155gr.

Easy to find.
No corrosive
Cheaper than milsurp if you don't count your time.
 
I bought Midway 7.62x 39 brass back in the 80's to reload and most of it is unused yet. Out here in the west Rayner Shine in works has new brass for just about any calibre. I will admit though as an avid reloader and caster that I don't do much for 7.62 x 39 because the surplus ammo is so cheap. I don't have a cz bolt in 7.62 x 39 or I would probably reload it, The sks and other semi auto's throw the brass all over. On the cast boolits website there is a great thread on guys reloading the steel cases. when some guys said it cant be done ,others will do their upmost to make something work. The availability of new PRVI brass has been great for reloaders. Calibres like 6.5 Japanese I used to have to make from 35 REM, now not necessary to reform. I did look up in my brass conversion books and you "might" be able to make 7.62 x 39 brass from 220 Swift.
 
"Handloader's Manual of Cartridge conversions" says 220 Russian or 220 Swift cases can be used but it's an awful lot of work (trimming, annealing, cutting new extractor groove, etc.).

Hornady factory loads steel cases with SST bullets. I would think it would be quite easy to buy loaded non-corrosive 7.62x39, pull the steel core bullets and replace them with standard jacketed 7.62x39 bullets (Hornady makes 123 gr. FMJs, SPs and SSTs). You could reuse the powder and sell the steel core bullets to defray your cost. However, it's mostly a moot exercise. SKSs, 858s & AKs (when we could shoot them) throw the brass everywhere & beat the hell out of the cases. Unless you have a 7.62 bolt gun you would be better off just selling the die & putting the money towards more ammo.
 
Don't sell anything.
Go buy brass or loaded ammo. Go to home depot, buy PVC pipe and roll of bug net. Make a hood for your self that will sit over your shooting position and blast away with your reloads. Brass will land just around your feet or on your bench. Pick it up and reload again.
I made similar contraption once and loss of brass was reduced to minimum with my sks.
 
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