I was looking for an affordable rifle to shoot at the range when I came across cases of bulk czech military ammo, 7.62 x 39mm for $200, did a little research and the SKS really seemed like the rifle for me. Ordered a Russian SKS from wolverine, waited till it arrived, stripped it down and cleaned it up bought a couple cases of mil-surp ammo and headed to the range with a beautiful new rifle and 2240 rounds of ammo for $650. Imagine my disapointment when passing through the doors into my indoor range I see a sign prohibiting the use of FMJs. It dawned on me then that my enthusiasm to shoot cost effectively caused a major error in judgement. Ammo costs went from $0.20 to $1 and also there was the misallocated reources I already spent. I was wondering whether its practical to reload the 7.62x39mm in an effort to save money as well as provide new skills and a new hobby. On the upside the rifle functioned flawlessly punching a 2"-3" group at 45 yards with its first 20 rounds of range ammo.
reloading for SKS?
- Thread starter Icarus
- Start date
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Shoot the surplus outside. 
And yes, you can reload the x39. Just don't try to re use the steel berdan primed cases. Find some proper brass ones, and some 123gr pills, powder, primers, and assorted other goodies.
I got into reloading because factory 10mm pistol ammo is expensive, and pretty lame (I mean TAME! yeah, that's it....)
Now I load for 10mm, .38spl/.357, .22-250, .303, and .223 (someone have a freebie .223 they could give me? I have a pile of brass, dies, boolits and powder... just no gun to shoot them through, and no money for one!)
My wife loads for 9mm.
And yes, you can reload the x39. Just don't try to re use the steel berdan primed cases. Find some proper brass ones, and some 123gr pills, powder, primers, and assorted other goodies.
I got into reloading because factory 10mm pistol ammo is expensive, and pretty lame (I mean TAME! yeah, that's it....)
Now I load for 10mm, .38spl/.357, .22-250, .303, and .223 (someone have a freebie .223 they could give me? I have a pile of brass, dies, boolits and powder... just no gun to shoot them through, and no money for one!)
My wife loads for 9mm.
Just a reminder if you don't already know, surplus czech ammo is corrosive, so proper cleaning of you sks after shooting the stuff is important. If you use the search engine on this forum and look up SKS and cleaning you should find the proper cleaning procedure that most of us use, after using corrosive ammo.
I was aware it was corosive but I assumed it would be just my normal field stripping and cleaning procedure, I will definately find those threads.
As for reloading equipment what should I be keeping an eye out for? Brands? Models?
Thanks for everyones help
As for reloading equipment what should I be keeping an eye out for? Brands? Models?
Thanks for everyones help
- Location
- Georgetown Ontario
If reloading x39 keep in mind that when using commercial primers the gun may possibly double. I had this happen to me with my Norc SKS. I was using Winchester brass and Winchester large rifle primers. This happens because commercial primers are softer then Milspec primers and the floating firing pin impacts with enough force to fire the round when the bolt slams home. Other manufacturers primers may not be as sensitive I don't know I only tried Winchester.
Now if you have a Russian SKS with the firing pin spring you should be safe to reload with commercial primers. Or you could make the x39 version of Mexican match where you remove the Mil. FMJ bullet and replace it with a soft point bullet,. I have also done this and it works fine.
Now if you have a Russian SKS with the firing pin spring you should be safe to reload with commercial primers. Or you could make the x39 version of Mexican match where you remove the Mil. FMJ bullet and replace it with a soft point bullet,. I have also done this and it works fine.
The answer is yes.
So I got to go to one of my favorite gun stores today and ask about reloading for the x39, asked about "Mexian match ammo" and they went and selected everything I needed off their shelves
Dies $46
bullet puller $20
shell holder $6
funnel $6
they didnt have x39 bullets but they suggested some .303 125 grain. was just double checking whether these will work.
Also they didnt have the press they were recomending so rather then trying to sell me any of the ones in stock they suggested I look around (probaly the main reason I like this shop) they suggested :
RCBS partner
LEE Precision anniversary or Breech lock
seem to run around $80
I also thought of a hand press for around $40 and was wondering if this will do the job without having to dedicate a surface to mount the press on.
As always your advice is appreciated as well as alternative suggestions.
I do intend on getting further into reloading at a later date so am not opposed to the idea of reloading kits with scales, powder measures and other accesories just seems like more money spent then needs to at this current moment.
Dies $46
bullet puller $20
shell holder $6
funnel $6
they didnt have x39 bullets but they suggested some .303 125 grain. was just double checking whether these will work.
Also they didnt have the press they were recomending so rather then trying to sell me any of the ones in stock they suggested I look around (probaly the main reason I like this shop) they suggested :
RCBS partner
LEE Precision anniversary or Breech lock
seem to run around $80
I also thought of a hand press for around $40 and was wondering if this will do the job without having to dedicate a surface to mount the press on.
As always your advice is appreciated as well as alternative suggestions.
I do intend on getting further into reloading at a later date so am not opposed to the idea of reloading kits with scales, powder measures and other accesories just seems like more money spent then needs to at this current moment.
Now i'm no reloading pro but i think for an SKS where you'll want to shoot lots that little hand press will be a pain.
I just ordered up the Lee anniversary kit and dies to do 7.62x54r seems like a good kit, by no means the top of the food chain but should get the job done.
The bullets i am using are .311 Speer 150gr (I only mentioned that since they are for a .303 british as well).
If i remeber correctly the surplus 7.62x39 is about 120gr like they suggested at the store.
I noticed to in my search for a reloading manual, lots of them have info for 7.62x39 reloads.
Hi-Standard
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Newfoundland
I used to reload my SKS-D with cast bullets of 160gr. Just as accurate as any milsurp ammo and non-corrosive to boot. The only problem was the SKS's were brutal on brass. She used to pound the piss out of my brass and send it flying in every direction. For every 5 min. of shooting, I'd have to spend an hour looking for brass Never did find all of it. Got rid of it, but she was fun while I had her.
Never did find all of it. Got rid of it, but she was fun while I had her.Ah yes, I forgot.
When I got my sks I bought 60 rounds of Winchester ammo to go with it. I saved the brass, bought another set of dies for the Lee turret press, new powder, primers, bullets etc. Reloading was significantly cheaper than new factory ammo. Once I found cost effective alternatives like the yellow box Norinco ammo back in the day, the reloading stopped. It was cheaper to buy than roll my own. Plus my sks tended to beat the hell out of the brass.
Paco
Paco
