Well, didn't I have fun! I've been shooting factory S&B and Prvi Partizan and hoarding the brass. I finally broke down and ordered 100 Prvi brass from Budget Shooter Supply (Henry is GREAT to deal with). First off, I had to run all the brass through the resizing die and ream all primer pockets and then check for consistency in the "trim-to-length" dimension. When it was prepped, I reloaded from my limited bullet supply and took them to the range. After I tumbled the fired brass, resized and de-primed, I started the trimming procedure. I had a heck of time with trying to get a consistent case length out of the trimmer. Finally I checked the bases of the fired brass and did I get a eye-opener! The action of firing in the SKS deforms and spalls the base slightly, so I had to gently file the bases flat again and after doing that, I could get the trimmer to be consistent in case length. When I set up my RCBS hand primer, I ran into another set of problems. Some of the Prvi brass were fine in seating the primers, others were a pig! The primer would go in part way and stop. When that happens, you can't remove the case as the primer is protruding too much to get it out of the shell holder so your only option is to try to super squeeze the primer into the pocket which deforms the primer all to hell. I don't know if the primer pocket is out of round or not centred in the base, but I had about 10 rounds that I had to run through the press to remove the deformed primers and to single feed the primers into the cases with the priming arm on my RCBS press. I don't have the primer tube so it's a one-at-a-time operation. Even with that, I had some that were a pig to seat and I had even used the primer pocket reamer on the iffy cases. I didn't seem to run into that problem with the S&B brass. What I've concluded is that the Prvi brass is too soft and the action of the SKS deforms the bases. Don't get me wrong, it's great stuff to reload and would probably be wonderful in a bolt action rifle. Have any of you guys had the same problem with commercial Prvi brass? I have my cases separated by manufacturer and I even separate the Prvi brass by script on the headstamp (some are marked PPU and some have the same lettering in Cyrillic) and I'm very precise in my reloading. I'd be interested in hearing from the pundits or others who have had similar problems with this particular calibre.
Adventures in reloading (7.62 X 39)
- Thread starter LawrenceN
- Start date
OccasionallyOnTarget
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Burnaby, BC
I had the same problems when i was reloading 22LR. Never again
back40sniper
CGN Regular
- Location
- South east Sask.
Lawrence, something you might want to check into is drilling some gas relief ports on your gas tube. Do a search on sks forums, the sks is very overgassed as it is a military rifle and needs to operate 100% of the time in all kinds of conditions. This should help with brass life and is nicer to shoot!
Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out. Thus far, my sks seems to beat the hell out of the base of the casings.
This is interesting. While I don't have an SKS, I do reload PPU (Privi) brass for my M305 which is reputed to be very hard on brass as well. I find that the PPU brass is some of my favourite to reload being tougher than Hornady, Federal and even Remington. I often do not have to trim this brass after the first firing.
If the PPU brass is getting deformed, either the brass sold for 7.62x39 is different than what they use in their 308 ammo, or the SKS is much harder on brass than the M305 - hard to believe given how far my brass gets thrown.
burnt_servo
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- right in the middle of b.c.
more than likely the gas pressure needs to be turned down .
or you need to use a faster burning powder which will have a effect of reducing the pressure at the gas port .
you could also try reducing the amount of powder used when reloading
or you need to use a faster burning powder which will have a effect of reducing the pressure at the gas port .
you could also try reducing the amount of powder used when reloading
I am reloading for a Ruger Mini 30, an AR build in 7.62 x 39 and, more recently, an XCR in the same calibre. I have had excellent results with the Prvi P. brass. I would have to assume this is unique to the SKS. I did reload for my son's SKS but didn't have those issues. Privi brass seems quite durable. I trim it the least of all in that calibre compared to WW and S & B brass. It also gives good accuracy.
back40sniper
CGN Regular
- Location
- South east Sask.
I didn't have any problems with brass from my HK91, in fact I liked those funky "flute" marks it left on the brass. I miss the good ole days
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