Before I pull the trigger...

[338RemUltraMag]

Does this sound safe?

7.62x39
Lee 309-150
Winchester cases and LRP
5.0 gr Red Dot

This is my first pistol powder load in a rifle I just feel a little uneasy... I think it is just nerves...

[runfiverun]

that's pretty light but should work okay.
keep an eye out for stuck boolits.
you can up that load with no issues.

[338RemUltraMag]

Thanks, it is out of a CZ 527 carbine, 18" tube. I was lookin for a load that would duplicate the 22 lr in velocity and noise.

Another question, can I use Bullseye as well? I got 4 lb of it and only 6 oz or so of Red Dot

[runfiverun]

yeah, what you are doing is called a cat sneeze load.
you should be able to do a search on it.

[kbstenberg]

Everything SHOULD be ok. Just keep caution close by. If something doesn't feel write. STOP inspect the gun. Then go on. Just my 2 cents

[338RemUltraMag]

thanks for the info, I tried looking up a " powder puff" load, I guess I was using the wrong terminology

[41 mag fan]

Look it up using the phrase "cat sneeze load". I've heard that terminology used before, like RFR posted.

[L Ross]

I predict that aint gonna be no "cat sneeze load". That is a pretty small case and I think you will come pretty close to standard velocity 22 l.r. speed. I find Bullseye very similar to Red Dot in burn speed.

Duke

[MtGun44]

Not an ultra light load, more a moderate light load. My guess is around 900-1000 fps.

For a really light load, maybe 2.5 to 3 gr BUT CHECK THE BARREL after the first shot and
for at least 10 shots to make sure it is getting out of the bbl.

If you use a round ball, it will much more reliably leave the bbl due to little contact.

Bill

[338RemUltraMag]

Would a super lite load need filler?

[Mk42gunner]

I'm using 3.0 grains of Green Dot behind a 95 grain 313445 i my Mini-Mauser. No filler and IIRC it clocks about 980 fps (I don't have my data sheet handy).

There is a sticky further down the page with a lot of info about loading cast in milsurp rifles.

Robert

[uscra112]

Quickload suggests that 5.0 to 6.0 grains Red Dot will give you 1200 fps to 1300 fps from an 18 inch barrel using the 7.62x39 case and a 150 grain cast boolit.

For Bullseye, the same charges compute to about the same muzzle velocity - (about 1250 fps.)

Red Dot is bulkier, and may be more consistent therefor.

Both powders are still "in range" at the calculated pressures of about 12000 - 15000 psi.

4.0 grains will get you subsonic, which will be much quieter. You might try Bill's loads, but I'd amplify his caution about making sure every boolit exits the bore.

Do NOT use these loads with a j-wart under any circumstances - the much higher friction of the j-wart will very probably guarantee squibs that do not exit the barrel. Driving out a stuck boolit is easy. Driving out a j-wart is considerably harder. I dare you to ask me how I know. . . .

[338RemUltraMag]

Thanks for the data, I had to punch out a copper wash steel jacket from my mosin before.... That is hell on earth!