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View Full Version : 16 gr of 2400 in an SKS?



MikeSSS
10-30-2006, 02:18 AM
I sort of have a standard load for milsurp rifles of 16 gr of 2400 to power cast bullets.

I have a Lee 312-155 mold and these bollits are supposed to shoot well in the SKS and AK.

It sure would be nice if the 16 gr of 2400 would work in the SKS and AK. The case capacity is a lot lower than for the full rifle cases, so it should be a hotter load for the 7.62 x 39.

Anybody try this.

Any other hints on using cast boolits in these rifles?

Thanks

NuJudge
10-30-2006, 07:42 AM
2400 works fine in the SKS. Start about 14 grains, and work up until you have functioning of the rifle. Of the two rifles I've tried that bullet and 2400 in, one of them was 'stiff' and required 16 grains for functioning. Here's an article by CE Harris:

http://www.icehouse.net/fgrig/gun/762x39.htm

CDD

Maven
10-30-2006, 11:30 AM
Mike, I've used the LBT version of Harris' CB design in my SKS with 2400 with a great deal of success. However, as NuJudge wrote, I'd start at 14gr. and gradually progress to 16gr. In fact, 14-15gr. gave excellent accuracy and flawless ejection. If you'd like to try milsurp powder, 13-15gr. WC 820 (burning rate ~ AA #9) also works well. Btw, Harris is correct about lead deposits on the gas piston. You can minimize that problem by spraying its face with dry graphite lube, e.g., NAPA's DGF 123, or by coating it with white lithium grease prior to firing.

frugal
11-13-2006, 07:19 AM
I can verify that 13 gr of WC 820 works well in my Yugo SKS, gives about 2 MOA at 100 yd using it as a slide action on bags. This is with 311266 (150 gr) at 0.313. Harris gave a warning about using pistol powders in rifle cases that the primer blast will push the shoulders back on bottle neck cartridges resulting in excess headspace. Has anyone noticed this effect with WC 820? Would like to try this powder in some larger rifle cartridges, but dont want to ruin my brass by enlarging the flash hole as Harris advised.

Maven
11-13-2006, 10:10 AM
Frugal, I've fired thousands of rounds of unmodified bottlenecked rifle cartridges, (.243Win. -> 8 x 57mm Mau.) using varying amounts of WC 820 and never the problem Harris warned of.

TCLouis
11-13-2006, 08:59 PM
So tell me about WC 820 in the 8X57 and others.

Right now with VERY limited testing my most accurate load is the GB boolit and 10.0 of Red Dot with WLR. I tried the WLP hoping it would improve grouping and the groups were TERRIBLE.

I guess I need to buy a couple of jugs of the new faster WC 820 (AA#9 speed) before it gos out also. I probably have a jug or two worth of 30 carbine to load if I ever get around to it and get the Dillon crtanked up.
I always hate to shoot the carbine because beinga tight wad I hate to lose the brass and it does sling the brass!

frugal
11-15-2006, 09:02 AM
Thanks Maven. I am also interested in your experiences with WC 820 in the 8x57 and possibly the 6.5 x 50. Seems to work well in the Swede and SKS, but could not get decent groups with the larger calibers. In the Swede it seems to make quite a difference to position the charge against the primer. When I was testing the Mosin, I did not to this so I probably need to try these again. Thanks for sharing your advice on this powder throughout this forum. WC 820 seems to be indifferent to primer type on what I have tested.

Maven
11-15-2006, 11:16 AM
Frugal & TCLouis, As I've written before, WC 820 has become one of my favorite CB/rifle powders because of price and ease of dispensing it (Lyman pistol powder measure). In truth, if AA 5744 was as inexpensive and easy to obtain as 820, I'd use it as well, but alas, it's not. As for loading data (standard primers, no crimping), here's what works for me:

SKS*, 13 -> 15gr. with LBT/Lee CB

6.5 Swe. Mau., 14 -> 16gr. with 130 -> 145gr. CB's, including Lee group buy

8 x 57mm, 18.5 -> 21.5 with 195 -> 235gr. (group buy) CB's

Btw, accuracy, or its absence, isn't something I attribute to the powder, but to how well or poorly I'm shooting on a given day. Moreover, in the metric .30cals., the 7.5 Swiss, the 7.65 Arg. Mau. and the 7.62 x 54R, for ex., I use the same 18.5 -> 21.5gr. charge as listed above, with CB's between 175gr. -> 200gr.

Hope this helps!


*If you're adventurous and have a heavy, "fat" Loverin or Ly. #314299, you can use it as well, but with 14gr. 820. Due to the OAL however, you'll have to load them one at a time. The good news is that the fat Loverins are quite accurate.