Powder/Load Questions - 7.62x39

[Erik]

Hello,

I am going to be reloading 7.62x39 bullets made with a Lee C312-155-2R (155 grain) mold. Normally, the Lee die set comes with the appropriate load/powder information, but this time it does not have appropriate data for either the bullet weight or the bullet type (cast lead).

What powder should I use and what loads do you recommend?

Thanks,

Erik

[Maven]

"What powder should I use and what loads do you recommend?"

Erik, That depends on what rifle you're loading for, the powders you have on hand, and whether you're seeking target, plinking, or hunting accuracy.

[Erik]

I would like maximum accuracy. I'm shooting an AK-47. I only have pistol powders on hand. This will be my first rifle loads ever.

[wiljen]

Me thinks you are in for a long time project.

1.) Your chosen platform is not the easiest to get to shoot well. For an AK type arm, find your best group with jacketed bullets and figure if you are lucky you might match it with cast. If it shoots to 6" at 100 yards with Jacketed, it aint likely to shoot to .5" with cast.

2.) Your powder choices may or may not be ok. If something like 2400 is in your list of pistol powders you may be in luck. If all your pistol powders are faster stuff, it may again limit your potential.

3.) Changes in alloy, heat treating, lube, seating depth, primers, sizing, gas checks, and other factors all influence rifle accuracy and this being your first attempt, you are learning about all these factors at once.

I'm not saying it is impossible, just that this is likely to be a long journey and as long as you go into it with reasonable expectations and an extended time frame you'll do fine. If you want to match your jacketed ammo tomorrow - best just buy more jacketed stuff and forget casting.

That said - start here = http://www.castpics.net/memberarticles/Cast%20Bullets%20in%20the%20SKS.htm

[Erik]

Forget what pistol powders I have. Tell me what rifle powder to buy and I'll buy it.

I just want to know what's a safe load and what's a safe powder for cast bullets for that rifle so I don't blow myself up.

[jhrosier]

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

Jack

[KYCaster]

Forget what pistol powders I have. Tell me what rifle powder to buy and I'll buy it.




SR4759......start with 13gr. and work up. I quit when I got to 2050fps. Best accuracy was at 15-16gr.

This was in a CZ527 bolt gun, not a semi-auto.

I doubt that your Lee mold will cast large enough. I had to Beagle mine(A LOT) to size to .313 and am eagerly awaiting the GB mold that's supposed to cast .314.

Good luck
Jerry

[MtGun44]

Remember that the "normal" size (whatever that means!) for the 7.62 Rooskie is
about .310, and the Lee is intended for .308 nominal bbls. I'd bet you will need
a .314 or .315 boolit.

I'd say slug your bore very first thing. Second thing, do you need self-loading or
will a manual be OK? If you don't mind pumping, Unique or red dot loads would
likely work, once you get a big enough boolit. Your pistol powders may be great.
Not real likely to get full velocity AND any accy unless you are using big diam and
very hard boolits.

Hate to be hard on you, but this is not the easiest caliber and platform to learn about
rifle loads with boolits. I would think that maybe 2400 would work well for that
cartridge, but there won't be a lot of data for it. My Lyman cast manual does not show
loads for this cartridge, others show jacketed and near full power as starting.

Try around 10 gr 2400 to start and maybe H4198 and 12-13 gr to start.

Take it slow and work up.

Bill

[Erik]

Interesting article. Also, thanks to all of you for your suggestions.

I know the AK won't do 1" groups at 100 yards As is, mine will do 4" groups with Wolf factory ammo. To put it simply, I'm looking for a load and a powder that will cause my AK to function the same as with the Wolf factory ammunition. About the same accuracy, reliability, and throwing the cases just about as far.

I would like to keep the velocities under 2200 FPS, since the bullets will be lead.

[truckmsl]

Erik - I'm loading for an AK and have good luck using .314 boolits and 15 gr 2400 powder over a 135 gr boolit. Cycles the action every time and dumps the brass about 6 feet away. Accuracy is limited to my eyes looking through iron sights at this point, but it sure is fun. This load appears to be easy on brass which is also a concern considering current availability. Neck length is pretty short on this cartride and with a decent lube groove there's not a lot of lead to grab, so a crimp is a must for these autoloaders. Good luck!

[Erik]

Erik - I'm loading for an AK and have good luck using .314 boolits and 15 gr 2400 powder over a 135 gr boolit. Cycles the action every time and dumps the brass about 6 feet away. Accuracy is limited to my eyes looking through iron sights at this point, but it sure is fun. This load appears to be easy on brass which is also a concern considering current availability. Neck length is pretty short on this cartride and with a decent lube groove there's not a lot of lead to grab, so a crimp is a must for these autoloaders. Good luck!

How would I alter that load for a 155 gr bullet?

[jonk]

I use your mold eric, and get good results with 14 gr of 2400 out of 2 SKS rifles.

[Erik]

That's exactly the information I was looking for. Thank you very much.

[Erik]

Oh, is that *Alliant* 2400 you all speak of?

[jonk]

Yes, Alliant. Comes in a round plastic jug.

[Larry Gibson]

Interesting article. Also, thanks to all of you for your suggestions.

I know the AK won't do 1" groups at 100 yards As is, mine will do 4" groups with Wolf factory ammo. To put it simply, I'm looking for a load and a powder that will cause my AK to function the same as with the Wolf factory ammunition. About the same accuracy, reliability, and throwing the cases just about as far.

I would like to keep the velocities under 2200 FPS, since the bullets will be lead.

With the lee C312-155 you'll get your best accuracy in the 1800-1900 fps range. Has to do with the 9.5" twist. While 2400 seems to work well for some I have better accuracy out of SKSs and AKs using 4895 (no filler needed for this small case). Start at 25 gr of H4895 (or any other flavor of 4895) and work up in 1/2 gr increments to case capacity of 27-28 gr. You will find excellent functioning and reasonable accuracy (alll my SKSs and several AKs shoot this Lee cast bullet as well or better than quality 123-125 gr bullets. Yes the velocity is slower but the bullet is heavier so it is as it should be. BTW; I size the bullets .312 and use Javelina lube.

Larry Gibson

[Ole]

I have used:

15.0 grains of Alliant 2400
16.0 grains of IMR4227 (was trying to use up a partial can of powder).
18.0-19.0 grains of WW680 (Discontinued)
20.0 grains of AA2015 (was trying to use up a partial can of powder).

They've all shot fine from my Chinese SKS. The Alliant load sometimes doesn't have enough gas to operate the action reliably. It causes a FTE about every 10th round. I made a batch of 15.5 grains, but i've yet to test them yet.

[Erik]

I would really, really like to know what happens with the 15.5 load.

[Ole]

I would really, really like to know what happens with the 15.5 load.

The nice thing about 2400 in an SKS is it barely kicks the brass cases out. Which means they all end up in a nice little pile, at your feet, when you're done shooting. The loads are surprisingly fast though. They chronograph around 1800+ out of my rifle. Which is about perfect for what I use this rifle for.

[Erik]

I've been having trouble with my AK action not cycling reliably. I didn't know if it was because of the crimp or the OAL length. Perhaps it's just because the 2400 doesn't have enough power? The recoil sure is light compared to a Wolf factory round.

[Ole]

I've been having trouble with my AK action not cycling reliably. I didn't know if it was because of the crimp or the OAL length. Perhaps it's just because the 2400 doesn't have enough power? The recoil sure is light compared to a Wolf factory round.

I think it's due to the lower pressure at the gas port compared to a larger charge of a slower burning powder.

While they aren't full power loads, they are accurate enough in my rifles for 50 yard pop can plinking. That's mostly what I use my SKS for anyway, so it's good enough for me. :mrgreen:

[Erik]

Maybe I should add more grains of 2400 powder? Or not?

Or should I use a rifle powder?

[Ole]

Maybe I should add more grains of 2400 powder? Or not?

Or should I use a rifle powder?

Don't go more than 15.0-15.5 of 2400.

If you want the action to cycle better, use a rifle powder. I have read that 18-20 grains of AA1680 works well. You could also use a similar amount of RL#7.

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showpost.php?p=356322&postcount=3

[Erik]

Good to know. I may switch my powders.

*Edit* I bought some AA1680. We'll see how it goes.

[superior]

14.8 grainsof 2400 in my 16" bbl sks paratrooper doesnt quite cylcle the action, where 25gr of h4895 bumps it pretty good. I'm going to load some up with 15.25 grains 2400 to eliminate short cycling and still have a snappy load with my Lee tl-160's

[yodar]

Hello,

I am going to be reloading 7.62x39 bullets made with a Lee C312-155-2R (155 grain) mold. Normally, the Lee die set comes with the appropriate load/powder information, but this time it does not have appropriate data for either the bullet weight or the bullet type (cast lead).

What powder should I use and what loads do you recommend?

Thanks,

Erik

I use accurate Data 2000 and in the absence of that, since it aint out there no more, AA 2230 published load data which iirc was 26.5 gr for my Lee 312-155-2R bullet

Data 2200C is a good substitute for 2000, a little slower, 15%, use AA 2015 data

yodar

[conundrum374]

I'm working on that same 312-155-2r
what Ive found is that with the heavier boolit at 155gr you want a slower powder.
the 1680 was developed for this rifle but burns to fast for the cast boolit.
my next load will be with the H4895