7.63X39 cast

[cwheel]

Hello All,
I recently bought a new Lyman #311359BV double cavity mold to try some cast for my old M1 carbine. Got the idea that this gas check boolit might also work out well in my SKS ?? Boolits drop from this thing @120gr with a dia of .312. Looking at my reloading books, no listings for 7.62X39 in a cast boolit at all, wondering if someone has had a chance to give this a try yet ??? If so what loading data did you use, did the rounds have enough power to function the action ?? The bore is chrome lined, thinking it should do well with cast. SKS is not known to be some sort of a tac driver, but might be just as good as the carbine with this boolit. I know reloadable brass for this cal is a little tough to come by. Have about 75 to play with now. Thinking once things get back to normal with reloading supplies, try to pick up a couple of hundred from Midway. Any input on this would be much appreciated. Before the hording, surplus ammo was so cheap it almost didn't pay to reload for this one, much like a 9mm round. After the election, things are much different, might be worth setting up for this one.
Chris

[Bullet Caster]

I have a total of 52 reloadable 7.62x39, large boxer primed. I use the Lee 155 gn. gas checked, over a case full of IMR 4895. You cannot overload a case with this powder. About 23 grains leaves enough room to secure the boolit in the case without compressing the powder charge. And it's enough umph to cycle my AK-47. Hope this will help ya somewhat. BC

[shredder]

I use the lee boolit as well and I run 16.5 grains of 2400 in my SKS. Shoots so much better than the surplus ammo it is hard to beleive it is the same rifle. 14 grains of 2400 is a starting point and many sks rifles will function there. I kept going up 1/2 grain at a time until my gun functined so it must have a really stiff spring in there, as it would not function with 16 grains. I tumble lube with recluse's 45-45 10.

[lotech]

I no longer have an SKS, but it seems that .314" bullets shot best, though .312" would be worth a try. I can't recall shooting a bullet lighter than about 150-155 grains, but lighter ones may work fine. I had very good luck with bullets considered to be too heavy for the 7.62x39, those approaching 200 grains or so. Despite the crude trigger and sights, the SKS can be surprisingly accurate with cast bullets.

[NuJudge]

I used to run the 311359 in an SKS, using 2400 powder. It worked, because the barrel was .312". It was even accurate.

[cwheel]

That's what I was hoping to hear. Have not slugged the barrel yet, will soon. Need to get a lube die to match for my old Lyman #45. Think the biggest size I can hope to get out of this mold will be .312, that is what they measure as cast. I also have a old 5 lb can of 2400, time comes, will start to work up loads with that powder first. Guess it's going to come down to how big is the bore on this one. Thanks again, new use for that mold.
Chris

[spfd1903]

The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4 th edition: has a good range of powder loads for the 311359. Acc 5744 and 2400 give good results in a Romanian SKS. Not at home with the notes, but either Unique or Bullseye was a good performer, just required manual cycling between shots.