155 or 160 grain 7.62x39?

[superior]

Hi all: I think I posted this question on the wrong page so I'm repeating it here for faster results. I'm getting ready to buy the lee 155 or 160 grain 7.62 x39 mould. Which one will be the best for what I have in mind? I want the load to cycle the action gently, ejecting the empties at my feet and fit in the standard 10 round military magazine of my SKS Paratrooper. Oh, and I do NOT want to need gas-checks. I have a large supply of H4895 and Bullseye. Can I use these powders in a load that will not lead up the barrell? I would rather shoot the heavier bullet if it will do the job in the above mentioned ways. Any load suggestions? All repies will be appreciated. Thanks

[madsenshooter]

I like it when folks ask an easy question. All the Lee .30 caliber bullet molds are gas check designs. You can shoot them without gaschecks at low velocities. The 160 grain is a tumble lube design, and if you look on the closeout page, they have some there for only $14. I've got one warming up right now and I'm about to try it out. As for loads and cycling of the SKS action, you'll have to wait for a response from those with more experience with the weapon.

[superior]

Thanks for the reply madsenshooter. I know they are gas check design bullets but I was curious to know wether I could shoot them without g-c's and still be able to perform as desired ( gentle cycling, non- leading, and if a load can be developed using bullsye or h4895) and which weight would be the best choice. I trust someone here will have experience with both weights and can direct me towards the best choice. Again, any load suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Like I said, if all else were equal, I would rather use the heavier of the 2.
I like the idea of a reduced velocity load and the heavier bullet would probably be a better candidate for that. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong in that assumption.

[Larry Gibson]

"I know they are gas check design bullets but I was curious to know wether I could shoot them without g-c's and still be able to perform as desired ( gentle cycling, non- leading, and if a load can be developed using bullsye or h4895"

Probably not. But if I was to try it I'd start around 15 gr of 4895. Better is to get a medium fast burning powder like Unique. Better still is to get the Lee C312-155 and have the base reamed so it is a FB. Only one way to know for your rifle and that is to try. I've never got any results I could call acceptable with a GC'd bullet sans GC above 1100 fps. With true PB bullets accuracy up through 1500-1600 fps can be quite good. A true PB .312 bullet of 150-160 gr should function the SKS action fine at or under 1600 fps with 4227, 2400, H4198 or 5744 with acceptable accuracy.

Larry Gibson

[centershot]

Hello Superior, welcome to the board! Below are some links with some useful information. Have fun, and be careful!:-D

http://p223.ezboard.com/fcurioandrelicfirearmsforumfrm29.showMessage?topic ID=933.topic

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=37225

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/view_topic.php?id=1766&forum_id=8

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=13453

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=13425

That last link is a "Must Read"!:coffee:

centershot

[superior]

Thanks, Centershot. Those links contained a wealth of information! It sounds like gas checks are optional in certain circumstances. I happen to have some unused imr4198 as well as some hp6 at home. I'm sure I can develop a load that will work using the 155 grainer. It sounds like they will fit in the magazine. I'm not so sure about the 160.

[NSP64]

What the hell, I answered your ? in the wrong section[smilie=l: You may want to slug the barrel to find the bore size. If you dont want to GC you might try paperpatching. I leemented my mold to cast bigger, you can search this also. I started out using the lee 312-185gr RN mold and it worked good.I am thinking of PPing some to try.

[superior]

Cool! But will the 185 fit in the SKS mag?

[NSP64]

loaded with the boolit(this is what we call cast) the correct overall length.:drinks: I don't worry about the GC being bellow the neck.

[superior]

Awesome. I didn't find the 155'er on clearance at midway. They list the 155 and the 160 for the same price ($18 and change) plus shipping. It sounds like there isn't really a bad choice between the 2 molds for what I have in mind. I just have to decide on which one.