Anyone reloaded 7.62x39 for bolt action don't mind sharing info?

lavino

lavino

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Seeking info on what projectiles (brand, weight etc), powder (plus loading data), primer or even brass you guys used? How's the result? Got some once fired brass from Budget Shooter Supply earlier this year finally got to finish the brass prepping part. Not sure I can still get the rest of the components to start reloading now...

This is for my bolt Ruger American scout just in case.
 
Not bolt action, but since my local range doesn't allow steel core or steel jacket ammo to be shot, I have reloaded many hundreds of 7.62x39 rounds. Most have been 0.311" 123 gr FMJ (non-magnetic surplus pulled) with Accurate 1680 powder and CCI LR primers, but I have also used Hodgdon's BC-L(2) and H335 powder with the same projectiles. Also, 150gr Hornady 0.311" dia soft points with A1680.

My load data comes from a variety of sources - Lee, Hornady 9th, Hodgdon (online) and Western Powder (online). Since I hate measuring every powder charge I use the yellow Lee dippers once I find a one which provides a charge in the published range.
 
I load for a Howa 1500, chambered in the 7.62x39. I would say the rifles are strong enough for just about anything.

You don't mention which bullet weight you intend to shoot.

I developed handloads for this rifle, simply because I needed a light recoiling shooter that was capable of cleanly taking Deer and Black Bears, about six months after a shoulder replacement.

The twist rate of my rifle is 1-9.5 and it stabilized bullets well, right up to 170 grain flat base, round nose.

The trajectory on the 170 grain bullets was similar to a rainbow, but would have been fully capable out to 100+yards. I needed more so rejected it after the first 20 test rounds. It also generated a bit to much recoil

My rifle has a .309 bore diameter so I used bullets suggested for the 30-30 for both the 150 and 170 grain bullets, because of seating depth taking up to much powder space.

The next bullet I tried was the Hornady flat base round nose again. This wasn't going to be a long distance shooter, so spitzer and boat tail bullets weren't going to offer anything more.

There was quite a bit of difference between the 170 and 150 grain bullets as far as velocity and accuracy goes. Surprisingly, the 150 grain bullets shot more accurately.

My load for this was CCI250 primers, 28.5 grains H335, 150 grain Hornady round nose .308 diameter bullets. This load produces groups just over 1 moa if I do my part well.

Another 150 grn load, because I just had a half pound of CFEBLK given to me, is 25.7 CFEBLK over CCI250 primers, under 150 RNFB bullets for appx 2200 fps. These grouped out to 150 yards, just under 2moa.

The lightest bullets I tried were again, Hornady in 130 spire point.

The load I used here was the same I used in my 30 BR, which has almost identical case capacity.

26.5 H4198 under 130 grain bullets using CCI 250 primers Velocity is around 2250 fps

I tried 30.0 gr CFEBLK and velocities went to 2600 fps.

These loads are safe in my Howa 1500 mini action rifle and for informational purposes only
 
CZ527 carbine Privi brass/Fed mag primer/123grSP Privi or Hornady/25.5gr H4i98 shot several head of deer with this never twice.Cloverleaves or 1/2" on a bad day.With 150gr Sierra .311 same components except this time 29gr H-335 5 shots inside an inch.Some may scoff at the magnum primers but the groups shrunk 40-50% just switching them out.Either H or IMR 4198 seems about perfect for this round .As well RE#7 ,Win 748 and H-335 are also acceptable.Anything under 200 yards is getting a truck ride.
 
I just did up some loads for my howa with 29.6 grains cfe blk under a 123 sst that I want to test tommow, I also will be working up a load for 150g speer hotcores
 
bearhunter said:
You don't mention which bullet weight you intend to shoot.
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Bullet weight would be an interesting question.

My twist rate is 1:9.5" RH according to the website. From what I read 1:9.5 ~10 150gr seems to be the g spot but it seems 123works too? To be honest I was just shooting so called non-corrosive milsurp I used on my SKS. Of course you can imagine results is not .. excellent. I would like to may be try the same bullet weight so I can do a benchmark testing for comparison. But I will definitely try out diff weight in a long run to see what's the diff. Most likely I will only go for 100m first but tempted to see how far I can extend it in a long run.
 
nowarningshot said:
Have a Cz527, this is interesting. Have not loaded for it yet.
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I had one of those at one time and it was excellent. Much smoother than the Howa 1500.

I didn't much like the little Zastava Mini Mauser, only because the action was gritty and wouldn't smooth up.

I went for the Howa 1500 mini action simply because I believe it's stronger than the CZ527. Then again, both the CZ and Zastava seem to handle Rem 223 pressures quite well. I also like the heft/feel of the Howa.

You will actually get more appreciation of the cartridge/rifle combination by handloading for it.

I came across ten boxes of Superformance 7.62x39 and it shot quite well out of my rifle. That's where my cases came from. Still, it's loaded to be safe in an SKS so doesn't have the velocities that can be safely reached with CFEBLK.

When push comes to shove, I will be picking up a couple of pounds of CFEBLK at first opportunity. It was by far the best performer of all the powders I tried.

I found H335 to be to slow for the purpose.
 
bearhunter said:
I had one of those at one time and it was excellent. Much smoother than the Howa 1500.

I didn't much like the little Zastava Mini Mauser, only because the action was gritty and wouldn't smooth up.

I went for the Howa 1500 mini action simply because I believe it's stronger than the CZ527. Then again, both the CZ and Zastava seem to handle Rem 223 pressures quite well. I also like the heft/feel of the Howa.

You will actually get more appreciation of the cartridge/rifle combination by handloading for it.

I came across ten boxes of Superformance 7.62x39 and it shot quite well out of my rifle. That's where my cases came from. Still, it's loaded to be safe in an SKS so doesn't have the velocities that can be safely reached with CFEBLK.

When push comes to shove, I will be picking up a couple of pounds of CFEBLK at first opportunity. It was by far the best performer of all the powders I tried.

I found H335 to be to slow for the purpose.
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I just picked cfe blk from higgonsons powder if you are looking for some
 
thanx oldgunner. I appreciate it. I'm going to check with my local gun shop first though. By the time it's all said and done, cost wise and convenience, it's easier.

I like dealing with Higginson's. I do miss the deals they used to give on surplus powders.
 
Work up to them, they're both over any book max and are safe in my howa mini might not be safe in your rifle so the standard disclaimer applies. I get sub moa accuracy from both and load for 2 7.62x39 mini's

Dont use these loads in an sks or any semi automatic firearm

31.2 CFE BLK Privi case, cci 250 123 Hornady SP .310

29.0 H4895 privi case cci 250 150 speer SP .311
 
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I have the CZ 527 as well.

I tried a bunch of different commercial and reloads. Nothing worked.

Until Hornady 123 non reloadable. That stuff is giving me moa at 100. Not even the lapua stuff I had shoots this well.

Lucky enough to snag two boxes from a friend.
 
tbrwlf said:
I have the CZ 527 as well.

I tried a bunch of different commercial and reloads. Nothing worked.

Until Hornady 123 non reloadable. That stuff is giving me moa at 100. Not even the lapua stuff I had shoots this well.

Lucky enough to snag two boxes from a friend.
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Thats the stuff i have. Started with 10 boxes. Have some brass, different bullets, even a mold. Seems a good set up for these lilliputian blacktail here. Such a nice light, compact little gun. Given how lush and grown up it is here, could use a bayonet.
 
tbrwlf said:
I have the CZ 527 as well.

I tried a bunch of different commercial and reloads. Nothing worked.

Until Hornady 123 non reloadable. That stuff is giving me moa at 100. Not even the lapua stuff I had shoots this well.

Lucky enough to snag two boxes from a friend.
Click to expand...

I have loaded for the CZ and the Zastava in 7.62x39 and for me reloder 7 worked great in both rifles. Only used for plinking at the range. 25 gr of powder with the 123 gr SP bullet both rifles group inside an inch at 100 yards....FS
 
Just popped my reloads off today, to do some ladder testing out of my howa, 31 grains cfe black gave me excellent results I shot groups of 3 and my chrony gave a few error readings, so but I got an average mv of 2657 fps with 31 grains, 29.7 grains gave me avg 2505 fps. 32 grains only gave me 2675fps with some pressure signs on the brass so I'll settle on 31grains which will do moa if I do my part. Also I might play with seating depth and .1 grain increments
 
150 grain speer hotcores were nothing spectacular over cfe blk with 24.3 grains gave mv of 2050
25.5 grains gave 2070 fps
26 grains gave 2178
26.5 gave 2228 fps with pressure signs, none grouped as well as the sst loads so I might try other powder, Any other powder suggestions for the 150grain pills as I have alot on hand?
 
I've got some 220 round nose 308 bullets I've been meaning to try and develop a sub sonic load for in my Ruger M77 7.62x39. Any tips?
 
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