CZ858 - Reloading 7.62, should I use .308 or .311 bullet?

harbl_the_cat

harbl_the_cat

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Not sure if this is a reloading or a red rifle question, but I'm trying to load some hunting/indoor plinking ammo for my CZ (and maybe for an SKS if I get one).

I heard that European rifles are chambered to shoot .311 bullets, that you can shoot .308 through them but accuracy will be garbage (but you can get a KB doing it the other way around).

Question is, what size of bullet should I use?

Maybe a good addition to the CZ FAQ?

PS - I know you can't reload milsurp ammo, and for the price there's no point. I have exactly 14 pieces of 7.62x39 S&B Brass that I salvaged from an outing one time. Problem is, my indoor range doesn't let me shoot steel core.
 
People do reload the steel cases but your milage may vary.

What you should be looking for is a bullet designed for the enfield that is around 125gr in weight. So yes a .311. Now if you're shooting at an indoor range then I'm thinking you will be shooting at a relatively short range so .308 bullets should be no problem.

If you're going to shoot bullets heavier then 125 gr be vary careful of your chamber pressures. Two things can happen due to overpressure:

1. There could be a kaboom.

2. You could damage the operating system of your rifle.

You can fire 150 gr bullets just be careful.
 
Xman said:
If 7.62x39 rounds use a .311 bullet, why are there .308 to 7.62x39 chamber adapters? Isn't that really dangerous?
Click to expand...
That's only a variance of three thousandths of an inch. I'm certainly not an expert on the subject, but the 7.62x39mm develops a maximum pressure of some 51,488 psi whereas the 7.62x51mm develops just over 60,000. I suspect that your increased pressure due to bullet diameter will be offset by the .308 rifle's ability to tolerate those pressures.

As for bullet selection with the CZ-858, you can use either diameter though the bore slugs out to .311. You have a markedly better bullet selection with .308 however, and I've read of people using .308 bullets successfully with a .311 bore and getting excellent results. I would start with a small box of .308 and try them first; if your accuracy is good, use them and take advantage of the selection available. If not, it was a small price for an interesting experiment.
 
... Just don't go the other way.

Best answer; Always use the correct bullet for the bore you're shooting. Any other advise is not only irresponsible but 'may' be dangerous.


I have used a lot of .311 Sierra 150gr LRN. Same bullet I load through my enfield.
 
The plot thickens a bit.

I bought a sample pack of BDX bullets that had 20 rounds labelled "7.62x39" and some as ".308"

I bought it, measured the .311's and it turns out they're actually 115 grain FMJ .312 - .3125 diametre.

I don't have any load data for these, and I'm not sure if they're safe to shoot. Thoughts?
 
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