reloading 7.62x39
- Thread starter red_noir
- Start date
fat tony
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I tried reloading steel cased .45 years ago, and I was never very happy with the crimp that I put on. I'd never use those rounds in a competition. It all depends on the cost of your cartridge case to determine if is worth trying or not.
To answer your question - yes. You can make/buy tools to remove the berdan primer and you can use standard dies to resize the case (but with difficulty and you'll likely only get 1-2 uses from it). Berdan primers are difficult to find and about twice the cost of boxer. Some guys do it, but I never bother.
A better solution is to can get reloadable boxer-primed brass. One of our sponsors (Tradex) sells it.
A better solution is to can get reloadable boxer-primed brass. One of our sponsors (Tradex) sells it.
I don't have any trouble finding Sierra Pro-Hunter bullets for 303 British in .311 caliber at WSS. Try there if you haven't already.
I think I'm just going to pull the steel core bullets out of the berdan primed cases, put in my own powder charge and lead bullet if I can't find brass for reloading 7.62 x 39.
- Location
- In the Badlands of Alberta
- Location
- In the Badlands of Alberta
Trade Ex has Privi brass in 100 count bags.
I reload lots of brass cased x39. Bullets are readily available.
I also reload steel case as well.. I have a set of custom Carbide dies I had made. If you can find a good supply of berdan primers and a good decapper you're good to go. I picked up 100k berdan primers a few years back. I'm ok for a bit..
If you reload steel case on standard dies be prepared to see them torn up. They'll work for a while, but the steel on steel is killer on their lifespan.
I guess it depends on what you want the ammo for.. My standard reloads cost me MORE than surplus ammo, so if it's for savings you won't see it. If you want to play around and make some nice hunting or target loads, it's a fun (strange) round to play with.
I make a lot of steel cased ammo with cast lead bullets. They're a great little SHTF and banger ammo. For testing purposes they're great, and cheap. I've used them for playing tag with coyotes as well.
I also reload steel case as well.. I have a set of custom Carbide dies I had made. If you can find a good supply of berdan primers and a good decapper you're good to go. I picked up 100k berdan primers a few years back. I'm ok for a bit..
If you reload steel case on standard dies be prepared to see them torn up. They'll work for a while, but the steel on steel is killer on their lifespan.
I guess it depends on what you want the ammo for.. My standard reloads cost me MORE than surplus ammo, so if it's for savings you won't see it. If you want to play around and make some nice hunting or target loads, it's a fun (strange) round to play with.
I make a lot of steel cased ammo with cast lead bullets. They're a great little SHTF and banger ammo. For testing purposes they're great, and cheap. I've used them for playing tag with coyotes as well.
