Ruger American in 7.62x39 and IMI cases

[samari46]

Picked up my Ruger American in 7.62x39 looks to be a nice little rifle. I have a bunch of IMI cases and IMI made ammo as was sold by the old Hansen Cartridge company. However all are made for large rifle primers. I know that most if not all 7.62x39 ammo today is made with the small rifle primer. So while shooting the old IMI ammo isn't a problem does having the large rifle primer pocket pose any reloading issues. First 7.62x39 bolt action I've owned. Appreciate any comments and/or suggestions. Have about 500 of the IMI large rifle brass. Frank

[tmax64]

45ACP brass has 2 different size primer pockets so I wouldn't see any major problems. Would be a classic "start low and work up" with reloading powder data.

[DocSavage]

I've a Ruger M77 Mk Ii in 7.62x39 and no problem with commercial ammo but mil spec stuff was a problem replaced the fps and everything goes bang now.I have brass with both small and large primers no problems with reloads.

[lightman]

You should not have any problems with the different primer sizes as far as shooting you new rifle goes. You will have to keep them sorted when you prime them for reloading.

[43PU]

I bought one of those Ruger ranch rifles for my wife to shoot and we LOVE it it killed 2 deer last year one was a head shot at 50 yards and one was in the boiler room at 175 both DRT!! Using the lee 150 round flat nose seated out pretty far over 21.5 grn of IMR 4198 it shoots ragged holes at 100 groups no larger then 2” is very normal, I have a Nikon 3-9x40 and it will easily kill to 200 I would probably shoot a deer to 250 and feel comfortable

That 7.62x39 ranch rifle started something for us, for the price and ease of use I bought another on in 7.62x39 because I am honestly concerned that I may wear it out. Then we went out and bought one in 223/556,300blk,6.5grendel,450 bushmaster and now I just got the Ruger PC9 yesterday!! I used to not like Ruger until I got that 7.62x39

[marlin39a]

I have the Ruger American Ranch, 7.62x39. I use a big supply of Red Army brass cases for my reloads. All LR primed. No problems here.

[Larry Gibson]

Actually most commercial 7.62x39 cases have LR primer pockets. I use WLR primers in my IMI, Winchester, PMC, etc. cases with 22.5 gr 4227 under 123 - 125 gr jacketed bullets to duplicate factory ballistics. Accuracy is excellent with Hornady .310 bullets (123 gr SPs) out of my Mini MK X bolt gun, Russian SKS and most other rifles.

I've also done considerable testing with numerous cast loads. A search should provide the threads.

[richhodg66]

Remington used to make theirs with SR primers, but I don't think they still do. I never saw any other manufacturer use anything but LR primers.

[Duckiller]

+ what Larry and Rich said. Most of my brass uses LR primers. Only Remington brass uses SR. Haven't acquired any brass recently so I don't know what sized primer Remington is using now. Load it and shoot it.

[samari46]

Been wanting one of these little rifles/carbines in 7.62x39 caliber ever since they came out. Spoke with my local gun shop owner and he ordered it for me. No scope rings but had a set of Burris weaver style rings which should work out fine. Out side of the IMI the only other ammo in that caliber is some steel cases royal tiger which I do use in my sks. And yes cast bullets will be tried. Thanks for all the info, comments and suggestions. As is usual your help is greatly appreciated. Had a couple burrs but a few minutes with some small stones smoothed them out. Frank

[Hardcast416taylor]

Only problem that I can see is having both primer size cases together when starting to load up a batch, I`ve had it happen to me once.Robert

[samari46]

All are large rifle. Thanks,Frank

[samari46]

Ran into a small problem with my new rifle. Has an aluminum one piece 6" or so long base. Was going to use a set of Burris rings that fit weaver bases. Wouldn't even start to slide onto the scope base. Then I noticed that the beveled ends of the cross slots all had burrs as if the base had never been properly machined. I've used the Burris rings with the inserts for years w/o any problems. As is the base is unusable. So looks like a call to Ruger is in order. What are you using for rings on your rifles?. Would like to know. Have a set of Nikon P-223 series of sope rings for a M4 clone. Even they won't start to fit the scope base on the Ruger. Thanks,Frank

[samari46]

Called Ruger and at first they wanted the rifle back on their dime but since the scope base is in question they will be sending me one so should be here sometime next week. Mentioned to them that neither Burris waver style rings and Nikon P223 ring and base combo will not even start to go on the factory supplied scope base. Will keep you informed. Frank

[samari46]

Received my new Ruger marked scope base in the mail today. Installed it on the compact rifle and Burris Zee rings fit perfectly. The old base was not marked as being made by Ruger. No markings what so ever as to who made it. Visual inspection and with a set of dial calipers showed the old base to be thicker and poorly machined. The Ruger base was worlds apart in machining, fit and finish. Frank