Handloading for the AG42B

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Piraci

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I recently picked up an AG42B and want to reload for it. I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject, and glad I did. Didn't realize the potential for damage with slow burning powders. I will probably do a gas mod for it but until then I'd like to try to duplicate the military load for it. The problem is every thing I've seen seems to suggest using H4895 or IMR4895 powder. With the current climate I can't seem to find it anywhere. I've seen a bunch of Vihtavuori powders and I can get IMR3031. I haven't seen any published loads for a faster powder like N135 and a 140grain bullet.

Does anyone have a recommended load or powder for this gun that I could find these days?
 
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Military load is too hot for these guns. Blowing up in service wasn’t unheard of. They used to do all sorts of greasy things like oiling cartridges to keep them running.

My recommendation is to start low and slowly work up to where it cycles reliably. Also avoid Federal Primers, I had one do a out of battery detonation on me due to how sensitive those primers are.
 
I used h4350 , don't know where I got the load but that is what I recorded . Shot lots of them but a note to used #34 cci military primers
I do have an ajustable gas system but had the load before that
 
X2 on the CCI #34 primers.

If you can find a copy of the Sierra Reloading Manual, Edition V, read the section titled Gas Gun Reloading. It starts on page 165. You will understand why the faster powders are preferable.
 
Yes, avoid Federal!

You can use 3031. Start with 30 gr. If it was me, I would load 3 of each in 1 gr increments to 35 gr, and see how they work and shoot. be prepared to bring some home if there is any hint of pressure.
 
Also I felt I would add why the military loads weren't tailored to the rifle.

This rifle was designed to function with both the Swedish M94 and M41 loadings and no adjustable gas system. The result being neither round is particularly suitable for them.
 
You might also avoid the store-bought Hornady rounds. I had two of five blow the rear of the brand new brass case in half. Separation about 3/8 from the back, so out of battery almost certainly. They work perfectly in an M38 Swede. Still cycled the action, but quite a bit of a surprise.
 
I loaded quite a bit for a couple of AG42Bs. Moderate loads, no problems.
The catch with these rifles is that the true DI system has no way of compensating for different pressures, and the gas port is fixed.
High pressure at the port, the action will try to open; if there is residual pressure, the case sticks and the extractor rips through the rim. Or the extractor fails. This is why the parts kit had extra extractors.
Not a matter of excess pressure, rather pressure at the port.
Lubricating the cases allowed the action to cycle when there was still residual chamber pressure.
 
This is what I came up with during load testing with my Ljungman. I can offer a load that functions well, and does not throw the brass 30 yards away!

I decided to use Winchester cases as they are easy to find where I live, and much less expensive than the Lapua cases i reserve for the Bolt Guns.

So here goes...

Cases: Win.
Powder: 36.5-37grs of IMR 4895
Bullet: Hornady 140gr Interlock
Primer: Win.
OAL. 3.060

This load functions nicely and doesn't beat the rims to death on the ejector. Cases fly about 10-12ft forward about 2:00 position. The load prints about 3 inches above point of aim at 100m. No crimping of the bullet was necessary.
 
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