7.62X40 Load Data

[Circuit Rider]

Having a 16" barrel installed at Wilson Combat. I have found limited data. going to start with powders I have available, AA2230,IMR4227. Anyone has any data I would be interested in your results. Thanks, CR

[nagantguy]

The new zillion blue press catalog just got here there is a full length article.on that caliber along with load data.

[Circuit Rider]

Thanks nagantguy, I read the article from last month and this month, but was hoping to get a little more info than Mark and Tim had available. CR

[nagantguy]

Guess you figured out I ment dillion not zillion blue press, that's the only thing I had to offer, until the catalog came in the mail I'd never heard of the cartridge.

[LynC2]

Having a 16" barrel installed at Wilson Combat. I have found limited data. going to start with powders I have available, AA2230,IMR4227. Anyone has any data I would be interested in your results. Thanks, CR

I assume you got the data off of Wilson's web site, that's about all there is of data that has been pressure tested. I have some other data from other sources; but the usual disclaimers apply and if you are interested let me know.

[Patricklaw]

I have been shooting the 7.62x40wt for the last three years. It's a wonderful cartridge. You don't say whether you are using an AR-15 or a bolt gun. The important thing in the AR will be the gas port location. I've never been able to get my mid-gassed 16" barrel to run on anything faster than 1680.

I've used 147 gr M80 pulls and C312-155-2R with great success. For powders 1680 of course, 4198, and I have an 8#'r of Reloader 7 to get into soon. My only regret is that I don't get my version to the range enough.

This is the birth place of the cartridge:

https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_121/382761_7_62x40mm_Information_Thread.html

Enjoy!

[LynC2]

I have been shooting the 7.62x40wt for the last three years. It's a wonderful cartridge. You don't say whether you are using an AR-15 or a bolt gun. The important thing in the AR will be the gas port location. I've never been able to get my mid-gassed 16" barrel to run on anything faster than 1680.

I have the same issue with my 20" barrel, but 1680 works very well...if one can find it![/I]


I've used 147 gr M80 pulls and C312-155-2R with great success. For powders 1680 of course, 4198, and I have an 8#'r of Reloader 7 to get into soon. My only regret is that I don't get my version to the range enough.

[I]My exact experience also, but the 155 gr Sierra Palmas shoot much better.

This is the birth place of the cartridge:

https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_121/382761_7_62x40mm_Information_Thread.html



Enjoy!

That's where I ran across it first and even have a few posts there; however be warned there are 65 pages to wade through to find a few tidbits. :razz:

[flylot]

Looks like I'll have something to do on my next trip, read the 65 pages. I just put together an 18" barreled 7.62x40wt and have a bit of buyer's remorse thinking I should have gone with a 20......

May have to change my trimming system as I currently use the Lee Quick - trim and they don't have a trim die even though they make the reloading die set.......

[Circuit Rider]

LynC2, I'll PM you with my email. I'd appreciate the data. Patricklaw, It's an AR, now I've got to decide if I want WT to put a 16" or 20" barrel on it. By the way Patricklaw, I've never met you, probably never will, but I don't like you.LOL I'm from Oklahoma and have lived in E. Tn for 23 years,but think your area is some of the most beautiful country in the U.S.A. Used to go through there delivering yachts to the Pacific Northwest on a regular basis.I'm envious! CR

[nekshot]

I wonder what all else I never heard of! This post was the first I heard of this and I am excited. I have a 300 BO in bolt action and I often wondered why they lost as much capacity as they did when making the brass from 223's. This makes total sence, all i need is a chamber reamer and presto I can match or improve on 30-30 ballistics for 110-130 grain bullets. This makes that Barnes 110 grain bullet really looking good for my bolt. I got that 110 gr barnes for my 30-30 sav340 but it must be seated too deep however in this 7.62x40 and my savage 110 savage action no problem.

[LynC2]

In case anyone is interested, Wilson is running a sale on die sets for the 7.62x40WT. It is a neat cartridge and works very well for cast too!

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Reloading-Components/products/470/

[3006guns]

I've been mulling over the purchase of an upper for the 300 Blackout. Think I'll wait just a bit.....I like what I see so far.

[2wheelDuke]

I kinda wish it were as popular as .300blk. It seems far superior on paper. I wonder if you could use .300blk data as a reference. I use Lil Gun and H110 for the .300blk supersonics with my Lee 312-155's.

[Patricklaw]

Okay Circuit Rider, I have so many friends and it's rare when someone takes an instant dislike to me. I often hear from long distance friends about how much they admire the beauty of my state. Until recently, I've always been partial to the beauty of the northern portion of Idaho but I've now come to love the southern part. In that I have two gun ranges within 30 minutes of the house you'd think I'd get out more. Don't hate me for living here. Come see me and we'll go shoot.

So, back to the 7.62x40. When I bought it I thought it was going to eclipse the the 300BO. I suppose that sounds like the guy saying Beta is better than VHS. The 300BO got SAAMI Spec'ed and ammo became widely available and the rest is history. If you're not into building your own AND cutting and forming cases, the 7.62x40 is not for you, choose the 300BO. If you want a can, the 300BO is the better choice. The 7.62x40, with 5mm more case length really cuts down the space for the large subsonic bullets that the Subsonic 300bo's use with a can. In addition the 300BO twist rate of 1:7-8 will generally stabilize the large bullets better than the 1:10-12 of the 7.62x40. The flip side is that the slower twist of the 7.62x40 is generally more favorable to cast bullets. The 5mm additional cartridge length gives enough more powder space to provide 150-300 FPS more velocity than the 300BO. I've heard it said that 300BO max loads are a good starting load for the 7.62x40. My experience says it's true but only as to powders 1680 and slower. If you have a mid-length gas port, you'll be learning about pressure curves. Anything faster than 1680 and the powder burns so fast that there is too little pressure left to run the action by the time the bullet passes the port.

You can get a reamer at Pacific Tool and Guage and ream your 300BO to 7.62x40. Kurt, the cartridge designer addressed this issue on the current page of the ARF.com thread above. The 300BO body is a couple thou too large so it depends upon your comfort level. I'm told that the faster twist is fine and since you'll be loading your own anyway, you can craft your rounds accordingly.

There is a lot of data on the thread. Wilson posted data when the began to produce the cartrige and then had someone, Barnes I think, pressure test the posted data. Subsequently, they tempered their numbers a bit. I'll include a few of my loads but all the usual disclaimers apply i.e. safe in my gun when I did it. use at your own risk. ladder up, wear eye protection, drink your milk. yadda, yadda.

1680
24.5 gr behind 147 gr M80 pulls 2348 fps these flattened magnum primers pretty well. (I've since backed down about a grain to 23.5)
25.5 gr behind 125 gr soft point flt base 2471fps these were for hunting but I haven't made it out and now have some Nosler 125's that I'll ladder up next. What can I say, I like the green tips.
23.7gr behind C312-155-2r. I can't find where I chrono'd them. I coated these and treated them mostly like jacked but the bow rider bullet is a little tight in my barrel's throat. Coated (PC'd) bullets tend to jam into the rifling keeping the bolt from locking into battery. Even with uncoated, you have to be pretty careful about overall length. 2.150 was my magic number. Make some dummy rounds and play with your rifle until you get it right.

4198
22 gr behind 147 gr M80 pulls 2157 fps I actually loaded a bit higher but this is the last one I chrono'd.
20.5 gr behind 165 gr Missouri White tail 1860 fps. They shot alright but my feed ramps don't like them so cycling was poor.

4227
21.9 gr behind 110gr (30 carbine bullet) 2450 fps. This shot fine but it wouldn't cycle.

Again, I'm not responsible if you blow up your gun. Be smart and use good loading practices like reducing your starting load by at least 10%.

Have fun.

[Circuit Rider]

Thanks for the reply Patrick, I'm going to take it slow and learn safely. CR

[Patricklaw]

Thanks for the reply Patrick, I'm going to take it slow and learn safely. CR

Didn't mean to sound condescending. I think the warnings are cute and we're all soooo vigilant about giving them and protecting each other.

That said, I'm still waiting to hear about someone getting sued over reloads.

[kawasakifreak77]

I might be thinking of this too simply but could a guy just use data from the Blackout with the slower powders to start & work up until you started seeing signs of pressure or reliable functioning? With an extra 5mm of case a max blackout load should be safe, correct?

[Patricklaw]

I might be thinking of this too simply but could a guy just use data from the Blackout with the slower powders to start & work up until you started seeing signs of pressure or reliable functioning? With an extra 5mm of case a max blackout load should be safe, correct?

It sure looks that way though not owning a 300 BO I've never tried it.

[Circuit Rider]

Patricklaw, No offense taken at all. I am an amateur at this, and an old coot to boot. So it's slow and easy! CR

[Circuit Rider]

Got my upper from Wilson, looks good. I started with AA 2230, 20 gr, Sierra 125 Pro Hunter, CCI450, LC brass, 2.140 COAL. Loaded 2 rds in a Lancer mag. Didn't eject cleanly. Worked up to 21 gr and now ejects cleanly but doesn't pick up next rd. At 20 grains the Chrony read just under 1400, 21 gr just under 1500. Going to work up 1/2 gr at a time and watch closely. Any opinions are welcomed and appreciated. CR

[brstevns]

Know this is a old post, but is there any reason the loads mentioned would not be safe in a 30-223 bolt action?

[sundog]

Let's resurrect this discussion.

Who is currently shooting this cartridge with cast?

What barrel are you using?

Anyone besides Hornady making dies?

I've been contemplating building an upper.

[Steelshooter]

Just bought a barrel for my remington 700. I have only shot jacketed in it so far, but I purchase a noe bullet mold to try. Lee makes dies for it, I purchased from wilson tactical.

[Hickok]

AA1680 is the prime #1 powder for the 7.62x40WT........if you can find any.

I don't believe there is a can of it anywhere in West Virginia, not that I can find anyway!

Been using IMR 4198 and it is doing ok, but it is not up to job AA1680 does. For an AR type rifle with carbine length gas port, AA1680 is perfect pressure/burn rate, and gets great velocity.

[Hickok]

Hickok, are you shooting cast in yours, if so what bullet? Would be nice if Michael would draw one up at 140-150 grains or so, with about a .200 meplat and TL grooves. By the way Powdervalley has 1's and 8's of 1680.Been shooting 125gr Sierra a lot, and it works great.

Couldn't get my AR to feed any good cast 30/30 type flat nose boolits with 100 % reliability.

But the CE Harris designed boolits for the 7.62x39 from Lee molds, the 155gr and the 160gr both feed great out of my AR.

Just haven't got to work with them yet as much as I want. Need to burn more powder before I can report.

I guess I am going to have to order AA1680, though I hate to pay the hazmat fee.

I have even asked sporting goods stores and gun shops about ordering Accurate powder and I just get a sob story.

[Steelshooter]

Try Cabelas

[popper]

Maybe this will help. I push the 145gr to a little over 2100 with H110/WW296, ~1 1/2 MOA @ 100. The 170 gr. works too with Lancer mags. 18" BO 1:10. A 185gr GC version works well too. For jacketed I love the little 150gr SPP from harnady. Thought long & hard about the wilson but decided to stick with the BO. The extra 300 fps doesn't really do me a lot. You can usee the BO dies for the Wilson, just have to set the press right. I actually pushed the shoulder out half way to the Wilson - leaves the longer throat for heavies but didn't want to spend the $$. I don't shoot subs anyway. Normally PC but even BLL works.
201462 201463

[sundog]

Hit a really good sale at Wilson; 16" match AR barrel, dies, and case guage on the way.

Any more 'pearls of wisdom' from anyone on this cartridge?

Any practical do's and don'ts for case forming? I'll start with some once fired LC brass.

[Hickok]

Finally found 3 pounds of AA1680 and grabbed all 3 cans. (Cabella's in Charleston WV, thanks Steelshooter)

Works perfectly in my rifle. Went back to standard weight buffer and the rifle cycles beautifully. Mine is the carbine-length gas system.

Also the Sierra 125 gr spitzer puts deer down nicely, complete pentration broadside.

[sundog]

Way to go, Hickok. I've got a jug of [surplus] H116 that the SIL and I have using for 7.62x39 as a replacement for 1680. I suspect it is the same powder. I'll start with some Nosler 125-BT (on hand) that work well with a number of different loadings. Then on to some real boolits, after I get it runnin'...

[Hickok]

Sundog, I can give you one tip when forming brass.....anneal the case neck and shoulder. Really helps case life and rejection rate. I really like my 7.62x40. It is like having an AR compatible 7.62x39.

[popper]

Sorry longpoint - way late, yes I use Cu in all my alloy. This was same as I use in the 308W 4% Sb & 0.5% Cu. Heat treated. I use AC in the pistol and run them slower.

[sundog]

243739

Left to right : 7.62x39, Accurate 30-150-SP (GC & PC), 300 AAC BO, 7.62x40, and 7.62.40.

The 30-150-SP loaded over 21.0/DP73 will function in an AR ( cycle and lock after last round). DP73 load data says it is 95% of AA2230 which puts it roughly around Western Xterminator. At this time I do not have velocity or accuracy data. Just thought y'all might want to cogitate with this for a spell. Or tell me I'm crazy....

Yesterday I did a little measuring - case lengths and volumes. 7.62x39 and 7.62x40 (both fire formed cases are pretty close. My previous load testing notes helped me to get to this point with previous X39 data.

DISCLAIMER: this is not verified load data, just early test samples.

The 300 BO was included in the pic for reference.

[Time Killer]

For other tested data take a look at the Mad Dog Weapon systems forum. There is a pretty good string of data on that sight along with bullets that do and don't work well with the 7.62 X 40. I have both the 300 BO and the 7.62 X 40. Both are fun calibers. The BO is the way to go if you want a can and to shoot subsonic. The X40 is the better truck woods gun in my opinion. 125 gr SP at around 2450 fps out of mine. This bullet has shown good expansion at around 50 yards with the x40 for me where the 300 BO has little to no expansion with the same bullet. It will expand at a lot further but I will only confirm with I have tested and recovered it at. This mold from NOE also shoots great out of both the BO and X40 NOE HTC310-135-RN.

[sundog]

I shot some of the 150s yesterday at 100 yards. They'll do a four inch group for 10 shots. I'll work with this some more.

I also shot some of the RCBS 7.62x39-130-SPL, also. These were also PC'd and loaded over 21.5/DP73. Velocity is unknown at this point. They shoot a tighter group. Since I only had a few test rounds loaded I shot several three shot groups. Best was sub one inch.

Feed and function 100% with both loadings.

[DCM]

Lee makes dies for this also, available from Wilson.
https://shopwilsoncombat.com/Lee-Precision-Custom-2-Die-Set-762x40-WT/productinfo/TR-762X40WTDIE-L/

Wilson is selling their remaining stock of barrels for this caliber at a discount as they are pushing their 300 HAM'R.

Here is some load data. There is more than Barnes bullets listed here even though it is a Barnes page.

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/press/7.62x40%20WT%20Barnes%20Data.pdf