Great post with very detailed illustrations. I would like to thank you on behalf of all those who appreciate your desire to share with the community. Please disregard postings of those "holier than thou" types who are NEVER impressed. Because incidentally, they have NEVER posted anything useful themselves. Please keep up the good work and continue thinking out of the box. Merry Christmas!
Making non-magnetic 7.62x39 for less than $0.50/rnd
- Thread starter diegocn
- Start date
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Safety first. Beware -
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-just-happened-to-me-Scary-reloading-incident
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-just-happened-to-me-Scary-reloading-incident
Nice write up. Simpler if a kinetic bullet puller would work, but it doesn't. The crimp is quite heavy.
I've pulled about a hundred Czech surplus with the same kinetic puller. No issues. I just push the bullet in a kazillimeter first, then remove it with a doz n or so taps on concrete. Don't keep swinging harder each time. Just give it a good firm swing and maintain the same effort. The bullet will slowly work its way out.
I can't imagine pulling enough for a 25 yard blastfest. I just loaded a bunch with Hornady SSTs for hunting. I weigh and even out the powder while I'm at it too.
Nice write up. Simpler if a kinetic bullet puller would work, but it doesn't. The crimp is quite heavy.
I have kinetic puller and have tried them. It works on surplus if I give it a few good wacks.
The downside is kinetic puller would spill some powder, which means I'll have to re-weight every charge. This makes the whole process slower. I simply found collet style puller faster and easier on my hand when I have to process more than a few rounds.
For those that does not see the point:
My local indoor range does not allow bi-metal jacketed projectile (even lead core), so things like Barnaul is no go.
I also run my SKS in 3 gun matches (which is another debatable topic I guess lol). A lot of matches (even outdoor) also run the magnet test, especially when metal targets are involved, so these are useful.
The pull-n-swap method is way faster than reloading brass ammo. I do not have to prep the case, which is the most time consuming part. Also no chasing brass after shooting is great. A round takes 1 minute to produce, and I think it's worth the almost $1 saving over brass cased Geco stuff.
I also reload brass 7.62x39 for my CZ527, and I do use surplus for my outdoor range. Different ammo for different situation.
My local indoor range does not allow bi-metal jacketed projectile (even lead core), so things like Barnaul is no go.
I also run my SKS in 3 gun matches (which is another debatable topic I guess lol). A lot of matches (even outdoor) also run the magnet test, especially when metal targets are involved, so these are useful.
The pull-n-swap method is way faster than reloading brass ammo. I do not have to prep the case, which is the most time consuming part. Also no chasing brass after shooting is great. A round takes 1 minute to produce, and I think it's worth the almost $1 saving over brass cased Geco stuff.
I also reload brass 7.62x39 for my CZ527, and I do use surplus for my outdoor range. Different ammo for different situation.
makes sense to me now. i thought you were allowed to shoot barnaul indoor. i was under the impression that all indoor ranges allowed it but i stand corrected.
Awesome
How do you fare? If I may ask...
In last semi formal rifle/pistol mini-match I was placed 14/17. I had a couple screw ups (forget to engage targets). My time is about twice as much as 1st place shooter. I used sks and 1911 in 45 acp. Most other shooters ran AR with some sort of 9mm pistol (mostly cz). I think there was a 9mm m1 carbine and a tavor in the mix too.
IMO the biggest draw back of the setup is lack of muzzle device and the relatively high recoil of x39 (compare to 223). ARs with good muzzle break can effortlessly realign their shots. There's no way I can do that with x39.
Mag change is not problem once I get good at it. I can do it one handed, 4 seconds shot to shot. Not as fast as a good shooter with ar but can be close.
I think a good shooter with SKS should be capable of keeping up with mid pack AR shooters. But by all means AR is a superior tool. I just enjoy running something different.
I always opened the puller and dumped powder/bullet into a paper cup. I make 303 though, so i need the bullet and powder separated from the brass anyways.
There are other ways of making quality 7.62x39 without starting with surplus crap.
I also shoot at an indoor club during the winter months where steel core is banned.
Fortunately there are others at my club who purchase brass cased boxer primed PMC, PPU, S&B, or Federal 7.62x39 and don't collect their brass.
I purchased a bulk case of 2,800 Hornady p/n 3140B .310 dia 123gr SP bullets a couple of years ago for $650.00.
They are currently selling in the USA for $540.00 USD/2,800.
I had to special order them and wait 3 months for them to arrive but it was worth the wait.
Bullets $23.20/100
Primers $2.99/100 for S&B
IMR 4198 $270.00/8lbs. 26.5gr per round.
My cost for reloading this round with quality components and pickup boxer primed brass is $0.39 a round.
I also shoot at an indoor club during the winter months where steel core is banned.
Fortunately there are others at my club who purchase brass cased boxer primed PMC, PPU, S&B, or Federal 7.62x39 and don't collect their brass.
I purchased a bulk case of 2,800 Hornady p/n 3140B .310 dia 123gr SP bullets a couple of years ago for $650.00.
They are currently selling in the USA for $540.00 USD/2,800.
I had to special order them and wait 3 months for them to arrive but it was worth the wait.
Bullets $23.20/100
Primers $2.99/100 for S&B
IMR 4198 $270.00/8lbs. 26.5gr per round.
My cost for reloading this round with quality components and pickup boxer primed brass is $0.39 a round.
Do you cast with wheel weights?Just broke in my .312 155grain mold
If so what percentage is zinc or steel these days?
What do you pay per bucket?
Price has hiked. The quote my local shop gave me for 2800cnt Hornady projectile is $850 CND and few months wait.
26.5 gr of IMR 4198 seems to be high? Off my head the max load is around 24gr for 125Gr projectile? Or are you using H4198 data?
Nothing wrong with the surplus crap. This is meant for high volume shooting and I don't want to worry about brass recovery or case prep. The surplus projectiles are actually very good. I reuse them for my brass cased x39 reload. I only use ones within 123 +/-0.3 grain. They produced better group out of my cz527 than Horandy Vmax.
Still more than half is lead...paying $0.35/lb so still worth it.
