Molot VEPR 7.62x39 - Bullet Size Thoughts?

[TriggerDingus]

I've had my VEPR 7.62x39 for a couple years now and through that time I've played with trying to develop a load that it likes, so far to no success. I've tried ladder loads with the Lee 312-160 and the accuracy was awful at any powder charge - that prompted me to slug the barrel to see what might be going on. The results I got were .314 in the groove and .302 on the lands. That would tend to explain why the Lee bullet wasn't flying true, I think.

I found an NOE mold sized at 314-202 and cast a batch of bullets with that, though I haven't loaded and shot any rounds yet. I'm a bit hesitant to load anything since the measurements of the bullets are 316 in diameter. For giggles, I decided to 'slug the bore' with one of these and found it was ridiculously tight, as you might expect.

I'm an intermediate reloader, but I'm green as grass when it comes to load development, so I'm seeking some thoughts from those more experienced than I. Does anyone have any experience loading for a VEPR 7.62x39? Any thoughts on shooting this bullet through my rifle, considering the measurements above? If so, and since there is no load data for this bullet, do you have any thoughts on a starting powder charge? (I have lots of Reloader 7 for this gun, so would prefer to use that) Any other thoughts?

Looking forward to your feedback.

[Yodogsandman]

Welcome to the site!

Are you using gas checks?

What lube?

Are you sizing your boolits? What size? I'd size from .001"-.002" over bore groove size.

What powders and charges have you tried?

You can lap out the cavities of the Lee mold to .314" fairly easily with lapping compound available at any automotive supply. Just be careful not to enlarge the gas check shank area.

Tried any other .314" bullet molds, like the (NOE) Harris designed 314-160 FN?
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=31_269&products_id=1885

[Maven]

TD, What is a Molot VEPR (7.62 x 39mm)? As for your .314" groove measurement, see if you get the same result if you measure it a 2nd or 3rd time. If the groove is truly .314", look at NOE's 316-160, a C.E. Harris design and pictured on the right of the attached pic. As for starting loads, 9.3gr. Unique, 13.5gr. 2400, or 16gr. IMR 4198 work well in my Type 56 SKS with that NOE bullet (sized to .3165").

[TriggerDingus]

The VEPR is a Russian AK variant. I did measure multiple times - numerous times, actually. Then set it all down and came back months later and measured again! Thank you very much for the suggestions - they will be used!

[TriggerDingus]

Welcome to the site!

Are you using gas checks?

What lube?

Are you sizing your boolits? What size? I'd size from .001"-.002" over bore groove size.

What powders and charges have you tried?

You can lap out the cavities of the Lee mold to .314" fairly easily with lapping compound available at any automotive supply. Just be careful not to enlarge the gas check shank area.

Tried any other .314" bullet molds, like the (NOE) Harris designed 314-160 FN?
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=31_269&products_id=1885

While using the Lee bullets, I tried ladders with and without gas checks and it made no difference on accuracy. I'm using Lee Alox as lube, though I also tried some powdercoated as well. I've pretty much stuck to Reloader 7 for these AK rounds. Regarding the charges I've tried, my log is out in the shop and I can't remember the charges but they resulted in FPS between 1400 and 1900 - with little accuracy change between them.

I will study up on the possibly lapping my Lee mold - that's something I've not heard before. I'll also check into even other molds..although diving into more NOE molds gets $$$ in a hurry!

I appreciate your time and thoughtfulness!

I didn't try sizing the new NOE boolits, but that's something to try for sure.

[Finn45Colt]

I have that Molot Vepr x39 too. Bought it as a "semi-auto hunting rifle", looks now more like Kalashnikov. Slugged just now it and using NOE sizers .312 and .314 seems bore is .313. Slugged bullet went trough .314 easily and .312 was tight.
I have used H&N copper plated 180gr RN .312 with Lee tumble lubing them twice. Loaded with Vihtavuori N320 6gr (Red Dot have approximate same burning rate) , just around 1000fps. Wont cycle but at 150 meters having 4-5" 5-shot groups shooting with Bushnell 1-4 x24.
My Vepr is manufactured 2006.

[Maven]

TD, Thanks for the information about the Molot (googled it the other day). Btw, the CB on the left in my pic is the Lee .323", 175gr. bullet designed for the 8 x 57mm Mau. Resizing it to fit my SKS was not easy, but fortuitously, it "lapped" my .314" die out to .316" -.3165", which fits the SKS perfectly. It is also a trifle more accurate than the NOE/Harris CB. Btw, 9.0gr. - 9.5gr. Unique doesn't generate enough port pressure to operate the action of my SKS and 10.0gr. caused very hard extraction. The lesser loads of Unique are quite accurate with either CB if you can tolerate making the Molot a straight pull action.

[TriggerDingus]

I have that Molot Vepr x39 too. Bought it as a "semi-auto hunting rifle", looks now more like Kalashnikov. Slugged just now it and using NOE sizers .312 and .314 seems bore is .313. Slugged bullet went trough .314 easily and .312 was tight.
I have used H&N copper plated 180gr RN .312 with Lee tumble lubing them twice. Loaded with Vihtavuori N320 6gr (Red Dot have approximate same burning rate) , just around 1000fps. Wont cycle but at 150 meters having 4-5" 5-shot groups shooting with Bushnell 1-4 x24.
My Vepr is manufactured 2006.

Excellent info. Thanks for sharing, since there doesn't seem to be many other VEPR loaders out there to compare with.

[TriggerDingus]

TD, Thanks for the information about the Molot (googled it the other day). Btw, the CB on the left in my pic is the Lee .323", 175gr. bullet designed for the 8 x 57mm Mau. Resizing it to fit my SKS was not easy, but fortuitously, it "lapped" my .314" die out to .316" -.3165", which fits the SKS perfectly. It is also a trifle more accurate than the NOE/Harris CB. Btw, 9.0gr. - 9.5gr. Unique doesn't generate enough port pressure to operate the action of my SKS and 10.0gr. caused very hard extraction. The lesser loads of Unique are quite accurate with either CB if you can tolerate making the Molot a straight pull action.

Unique seems to be a go-to powder and I may do initial development of this load on Unique and then try to convert to Reloader 7 after I'm confident I have the boolit issues sorted. Reloading is all about exploring rabbit holes! Thanks for the charge information - very helpful.

[Yodogsandman]

Reloader 7 powder works great in my SKS's. I use 21gr in mine. That load just cycles the bolt reliably.

[Finn45Colt]

Practical Dope on the 7.62X39. Searh for it, plenty loads and such. Ordered Lee C312-155-2R 7.62x39 (.312") ,plan is powder coat them and load mild for just cycling ammo. I have only Vihtavuori powders, N120 approximate Rel7 and N110 appr H4198.

[Strtspdlx]

if she truly measure .314 shes a biggen, I have a arsenal slr and it measures .312 bore, I size .3125 and it shoots okay at 50 yards, I haven't tried any further (or atleast if I did I don't remember). I'm using the lee 312-155 and an noe 314-135sp mold. both shoot decent with gas checks, I would recommend you try the 314-135sp as is. have you tried powdercoating the lee bullets? I have had decent success with using the powdercoat to bring the size to something more acceptable.

[TriggerDingus]

if she truly measure .314 shes a biggen, I have a arsenal slr and it measures .312 bore, I size .3125 and it shoots okay at 50 yards, I haven't tried any further (or atleast if I did I don't remember). I'm using the lee 312-155 and an noe 314-135sp mold. both shoot decent with gas checks, I would recommend you try the 314-135sp as is. have you tried powdercoating the lee bullets? I have had decent success with using the powdercoat to bring the size to something more acceptable.

Yup - I did try powdercoating to increase the size but it didn't increase it enough. Odd that you mention that mold because I just got it but haven't begun casting with it yet. My fingers are crossed that it does the trick and I can get serious about making some ammo for the AK.