Reloading 7.62x39?

[bearhunter]

I'm not saying your load is unsafe, I'm saying it sounds crazy hot to a guy who's never reloaded before (me). But if you're able to get 2400 fps with a 150 grain projectile then I am all about it, and once I learn how to hand load I'm going to see if I can work something out like that. I never knew x39 could get that fast with a 150 gr., that's only 150 fps under a .308 with a 16.5" barrel. Such a versatile caliber.

Additionally, I believe you that your loads are too hot for the SKS, what I was trying to say is that it's cool that the Howa can shoot a lot of rounds that would otherwise be too hot for SKS'/semi autos in general. They're great little guns. I'm sure you get good groups. I bet my 527 will be pretty good for the task at hand as well. Looking forward to finding out.

Your 527 is IMHO every bit as capable as the Howa, but it's lighter and each rifle is an entity unto itself.

What may be perfectly acceptable in one rifle may be unsafe in another, even of the same type and manufacture

 

[p.Rundle]

You also have the campro 115gr fp .312. great plinking bullets real cheap. I use them in 303, 7.62x54 with a small charge of pistol powder
You can go to around 1400fps.

Good to know, I added them to my list of stuff to buy.

Your 527 is IMHO every bit as capable as the Howa, but it's lighter and each rifle is an entity unto itself.

What may be perfectly acceptable in one rifle may be unsafe in another, even of the same type and manufacture

Yeah once I actually start doing this I am definitely going to be extremely careful with load development.

 

[mbogo3]

When Budget Shooter Supply gets back from holidays they carry a .311 71gr FMJ in 100 or bulk 1000 pk for the .32 ACP that make great chicken loads in the 7.62x39. Hornady 7.62x39 dies come with two expander buttons one .308 and the other for .310-.312 bullets.

 

[yomomma]

24 grains of IMR 3031 and cast 155 bullet

 

[p.Rundle]

When Budget Shooter Supply gets back from holidays they carry a .311 71gr FMJ in 100 or bulk 1000 pk for the .32 ACP that make great chicken loads in the 7.62x39. Hornady 7.62x39 dies come with two expander buttons one .308 and the other for .310-.312 bullets.

Whole other can of worms here, but how do you feel about .308 bullets in a gun that is definitely .311?

 

[mbogo3]

Many will shoot .308 dia bullets just fine you just have to have the correct expander in the die when sizing brass. Depends on the gun. The 7.62x39 is usually .310
Many 7.62x54R military bullets when pulled are .308 dia and they shoot just fine.

 

[4fifty8]

Another example group size ~1"@100yds .308 130gr TSX BT / 7.62x39 Ruger No.1-A has .300" bore dia. / .310" groove dia: https://i.imgur.com/bO9h2R5.jpg / https://i.imgur.com/dDDioLP.jpg / https://i.imgur.com/OAAK9qu.jpg

 

[beltfed]

If you haven't done any hand loading as of yet, I'd recommend finding a couple of decent manuals, loading gear, a chrono, and compiling all of your components.
You haven't mentioned brass, so not sure if you have sourced that yet. Depending on the amount you want to handload, Norma and Lapua make excellent quality. Privi is decent, and both the Privi and Norma can be had if you buy loaded ammo first and glean 'once fired' from that ammo.
CSC might still have cans of RUAG, but that is a bit expensive as a brass starter package.

I'd recommend that you start with typical rounds you'd find in this caliber - so the short 120-125 grain bullets and typical powders found in loading manuals, and rely on that and your chrono instead of looking for signs of pressure on your brass and bolt lift. I'd do all of that before you venture off into the weeds with unpublished data and light 'plinker' loads. While you do your research on those plinker loads, include looking into the phenomena of 'detonation' into the mix of learning there somewhere. Good luck.

 

[p.Rundle]

If you haven't done any hand loading as of yet, I'd recommend finding a couple of decent manuals, loading gear, a chrono, and compiling all of your components.
You haven't mentioned brass, so not sure if you have sourced that yet. Depending on the amount you want to handload, Norma and Lapua make excellent quality. Privi is decent, and both the Privi and Norma can be had if you buy loaded ammo first and glean 'once fired' from that ammo.
CSC might still have cans of RUAG, but that is a bit expensive as a brass starter package.

I'd recommend that you start with typical rounds you'd find in this caliber - so the short 120-125 grain bullets and typical powders found in loading manuals, and rely on that and your chrono instead of looking for signs of pressure on your brass and bolt lift. I'd do all of that before you venture off into the weeds with unpublished data and light 'plinker' loads. While you do your research on those plinker loads, include looking into the phenomena of 'detonation' into the mix of learning there somewhere. Good luck.

Thanks for the heads up! I have a ton of brass for a ton of calibers so that front is good, although I probably will go the RUAG route for getting more x39. I will definitely crawl before I walk or run, and will absolutely invest in some manuals. I looked up the detonation phenomena and I will certainly avoid that. Scary stuff. Going to have to keep an eye out for how to avoid that. Seems like an art finding a velocity that's good for the pistol bullets but enough powder to avoid detonating a slow powder.