powder and load sujestion 7.62x39

[medic44]

Just started casting boolits to save money. Now the cost of the powder is eating me alive. Any ideas for surplus powder for 7.62x39 with LEE CTL 312 160 2R.

[carpetman]

medic44---started casting bullets to save money and now powder eating you up. Easy answer. Figure out how to cast powder and let us all know.

[Ricochet]

Surplus WC680.

[Larry Gibson]

Just started casting boolits to save money. Now the cost of the powder is eating me alive. Any ideas for surplus powder for 7.62x39 with LEE CTL 312 160 2R.

I use 26/28 gr milsurp 4895 (which charge depends on LR or SR primers) with that bullet in my SKS and Mini MKX Mauser.

BTW; if you're doing this to "save money" get another hobby. You won't save any money, might shoot more for the money if you do it right. I haven't figured that one out yet after 45 years of reloading. Just seem to find more stuff to spend money on. Welcome to the reloading/casting world anyways, it is enjoyable regardless of my incantations.


Larry Gibson

[Ron in PA]

Just started casting boolits to save money. Now the cost of the powder is eating me alive. Any ideas for surplus powder for 7.62x39 with LEE CTL 312 160 2R.

I use 16.5 gr of WC680 with the Lee 312-160-2R in my Chinese SKS. IT shoots 4'' at 100 yds.Ron :castmine:

[Buckshot]

I use 26/28 gr milsurp 4895 (which charge depends on LR or SR primers) with that bullet in my SKS and Mini MKX Mauser.
Larry Gibson

..............Ditto, used in a small ring Mauser 7.62x39. Runs about 1950 fps and VERY accurate.

For a plinking load try about 6.0grs of Red Dot. Maybe go up a bit if you need to. Do it a half grain at a time.

..............Buckshot

[Leftoverdj]

WC820 aka AA-9 works for me in 17-19 grain doses. It just happened to be the lightest charge to give inch 50 yard groups of several powders. WC680 has not given me quite as good accuracy, but is certainly usable. Almost anything I might use in a .223 has been usable. I've tried H-322, BW-36, H-335, and a very fast lot of WC-846. All were surplus when I bought them.

All I'm after is cheap offhand practice, and maybe some casual varminting. That goal was very easily met.

[JDL]

Larry and Buckshot has it right! I use that load in my CZ 527 with 165 grain boolits and am very pleased. First runner-up would be WC-844 which performes almost the same, but I use slightly less of it. Both powders are pushing the boolit 1900ish. -JDL