7.62x39 loads

[Driver man]

I want to start using my 311x291, 311299, 311284 molds and unique powder to use in my chinese sks. These are the only molds and powder i have and have used them for about 30 years in my No4 mk1 303. Ive run out of cheap ammo for the sks and still hunt goats and red deer locally, I recon the sks using cast boolits could be the answer. Any advice from the members will be greatly appreciated . The 311291 is a hollow point and casts about 155gn, the 299 casts about 205, the 284 casts about 218. I use wheel weight dropped into cold water.

[gutpile]

I used unique in lots of rifle loads in MY SKS i could not get it to cycle.........shoot good YES function No alliant 2400 powder is where you want to go Unless of course you want to use it like a bolt action( i did with unique and red dot loads) it does save on brass thou. I used the lee c312-160-2r and the c309-170-fp

[Driver man]

Im happy to use as a bolt action , reckon ill be able to find the brass easier. Want to use the materials ive got on hand .

[gutpile]

i bet if you de-temper the nose on the HP it would be awesome on the game you mentioned

[Driver man]

If i keep the speed up around 1450 fps works well and accurate. Over that speed lose a bit in accuracy. Normally dont shoot over 150 yards.

[dpote]

Hello. I have started loading for 7.62x39 with these links.
Hope this helps.
I am using the LEE 312-155-2R mold with a copper gas check.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?13453-Practical-Dope-on-the-7-62X39
http://www.gunsandammo.com/2011/02/03/reloading-the-7-62x39/
http://www.ak-47.net/ammo/reload2.html

Dave

[Driver man]

Thanks Dave. I have just gone through those sites and find only 1 load mentioning unique for an unchecked boolit of 6 grains. I intend to use gas checked and push them as fast as is safe . I will begin to experiment this weekend. First off will be 311299 hp 5/6/7 grains. 311299 4/5/6 grains. 311284 3.5/4/4.5 . Will see how they perform at 50 yards.

[dpote]

I will start testing my loads this weekend as well, if not sooner. I am reloading berdan primed steel cases and using AA1680.
Here are some more links for Unique. No wonder you asked, I could find very little information myself.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?105508-unique-and-7-62x39

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?36918-powders-for-7-62x39

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?50837-need-load-data-for-7-62x39

Are you able to get a different powder? From my searches, 2400 seems to work well. But I understand where you are coming from. I have AA1680 on hand, so that is what I am using.
I do have a bit of Unique on hand, though. Let's post our findings here and see what we come up with.

Dave

[Driver man]

Powder in NZ runs to $65 /$70 a pound, Unique i can get for $55.00. Cheap 7.62x39 is $20.00 for 20 rounds. I am loathe to buy other powders yet without trying unique first. I think Ill be able to work up a good hunting load and a good target load with what ive got.

[Driver man]

Well its been a while but i finally made it to a range to try out the unique loads . I managed only to shoot and chrono at 25 metres today but am pleased with the results so far.
Boolits are 311x291 coming out of the mould at .315 169 grain ww .These are a hollow point I use with my 303. I loaded up 5 each of 5/6/7/8 grains unique with a gas check. I seated them out as far as the mag would allow. Results are
5grain 936,986,990,964,1004 fps. All through the same hole at 25m
6grain 1119,1113,1116,1135,1131. All through the same big hole.
7grain 1256,1300,1300,1285,1199. all through the same ragged hole.
8grain1319,1330,1323,1331,1316. 4 through the same hole 1 about half an inch at 3 oclock.
I didnt manage to shoot the others as the range was busy with a competition running and they needed my bay. Theres always next week.

[casca]

13 grs of RED DOT or 13 grs of UNIQUE will work very well in any 30 caliber type - will not strain the brass.

I use it in my mosins- brits -sks when i don't want to shoot anything in particular.

[Mike H]

13 grs of RED DOT or 13 grs of UNIQUE will work very well in any 30 caliber type - will not strain the brass.

I use it in my mosins- brits -sks when i don't want to shoot anything in particular.
Well I think 13 grains is too much for the 7.62x39 case.
Mike.

[Driver man]

I use 13 grains in the 303 with all cast boolits with great results but thought the 7.62x39 might be a bit touchy. Ill work up untill, to about 1500fps and try to get some accuracey. Another 5 rounds i fired today in the sks was with 4 grains of unique with semalina fill.962 to 1028 fps . Semilina is a fine ground foodstuff.

[sh00ter787]

8.5gn of unique is what i use in my saiga's with the C312-155 gas checked, acceptable accuracy for me (1.25" at 25m)

[Harter66]

I've shot 200gr boolit in an s k s w/fair results over IMR4350 . The load is limited by case volume to 20-22gr to feed . I was able to get them up around 1800 however that rifle was pretty big in the bore ,closer to 8x39.

[Driver man]

Another day at the range but with a somewhat mixed bag of results. I loaded 5 rounds each using 311 x 291 9,10,10.5 and 11 grains of unique. gas checked and sized .311,tumble lubed and seated out as far as the mag would allow.
9grain 1358,1374,1114,1159,1250 group about 2.5"
10 grain 1412,1192,1167,1325,1314 group 3"
10.5 grain 1466,1477,1449.....,.....,chrono showed error on 2 shots. group tightened up 2 about 2"
11 grains 1512,1506,1493 .........,......., chrono showed 2 shots error, 1.5 inch group.
I think the chrono may be playing up ,will take a replacement battery next range day. No signs of excessive pressure .If i can get an accurate load at 1600fps that will give me about 1000foot pounds , I will be happy to hunt with that.
Will see what next week brings.