7.62x39 with cast bullets

[tn_junk]

I am looking for info on loading 7.62x39 with 180 grain cast boolits. Looking for about 1600 fps.
Anybody doing this?

alan

[NSP64]

used the Lee c312-185-1r using WDWW(180gr) and 22gr imr4895 was getting 1600fps out of 20" barrel sks. The Lee 155gr boolit with same loads hits 1800fps.

[OBXPilgrim]

I chrono'ed my 7.62x39 Handi Rifle at 1880 fps using a 311407 Lee GB slug that weighed 185gr with lube & check. It was seated longer than would go in an SKS or AK mag (2.220" OAL). Powder was H4895 & I used up to 24.0grs.

Three of the 5 slugs shot were touching at 70 yards & the group was only up to 2".

[swabbie]

so is 4895 more likely to cycle than 2400 or 4227 in non gas checked 160 gr Lee tumble lube boolits?

My SKS is 16" version

[swabbie]

gettin ready to swap my 550 over to large primer feed and load some of these in 7.62x39...anyone got a suggested load range for 4895 without gas checks.Am I wastin my time with 2400 or 4227?

[NoDakJak]

Check Junior1942s web at The Frugal Outdoorsman. Neil

[NSP64]

I would go with the 4895, being a slower burning powder it might not melt the base of the boolit.22.2 gr under the LEE 155gr with a check is the most accurate in mine, I'll try some this week without check to see if there is a difference. (I'm on 2 wks vacation)

[OBXPilgrim]

Sorry swabbie,

I saw your question, but didn't respond because I have no idea if it will cycle the action in an SKS/AK. "tn junk" asked about 180 gr boolits, which I've tried & found some good info on.

Try it & tell us how it works.

[swabbie]

I'll be trying some different loads in the next week.

[tn_junk]

Much appreciate all of the info.
Since I am shooting these out of a Handi Rifle, I don't care about cycling. I am on the cheap side, and prefer not to have to buy gas checks.
I am also going to play around with loads in the 900-1000 fps range, trying to emulate 300 Whisper, with the C312-185-1R and TLC312-160-2R bullets.
Anybody tried H110 or Lil' Gun in their 7.62x39? Would like to try and up the FPS with jacket bullets, but don't really want to blow myself up trying.

alan

[kjg]

yesterday, i shot my china sks with lee 312 160 1r and various loads of 4895 an didn't get real great accuracy that I was hoping for was shot at 50 yards off standing bench, loads were 22.0-24.5 with imr4895 had 3" groups not happy, these boolits are gaschecked and lubed in lyman sizer of .312, found out this morning my bore diam. is .314 gee now wonder! . kjg

[IcerUSA]

The old standard is "slug first" then size to fit . Funny how that works .

Keith

[tn_junk]

The old standard is "slug first" then size to fit . Funny how that works .

Keith

Yep.
The bore in my Handi is .3095. Will size my boolits to .311 and see what happens.


alan

[NSP64]

Yes I took my Yugo sks for a walk yesterday using imr4895 and c312-155-1r Cast WDWW (161gr lubed & chek) 22.0-22.8 (5rds .2 grain diff 22.0,22.2,22.4) got best acccuracy with 22.2 1" @50 ( see photo mill surp thread)

[badgeredd]

I am looking for info on loading 7.62x39 with 180 grain cast boolits. Looking for about 1600 fps.
Anybody doing this?

alan

I am currently working up loads with Lyman 311291 (gas checked) for my SKS. So far I've tried IMR 4198, AA2015 and am now working with IMR3031. I got an average of 1705 with the 4198 but I wasn't impressed with the accuracy. The AA2015 with 20.5 grains gave me 1642 average and a 2 1/2" group for 5 shots at 50 yds. Again not impressed! Later this week I'll shoot the loads I have ready with more AA2015 and the IMR 3031. Also want to try AA2230 since it meters well through a powder measure. I am trying these powders because I hate position sensitive ammo and I want to get around 1800 fps, and I really haven't tried any fillers yet (really don't know if I care to either). After getting a peep site installed today, I really like shooting this bugger. Also did a mod on the gas tube per Larry Gibson and it is sweet! No more chasing brass all over the place! THANKS Larry!!!

Also I did read here in another thread someone was using IMR 4895 but I think that was with a 150 or 160.

[NSP64]

Much appreciate all of the info.
Since I am shooting these out of a Handi Rifle, I don't care about cycling. I am on the cheap side, and prefer not to have to buy gas checks.
I am also going to play around with loads in the 900-1000 fps range, trying to emulate 300 Whisper, with the C312-185-1R and TLC312-160-2R bullets.
Anybody tried H110 or Lil' Gun in their 7.62x39? Would like to try and up the FPS with jacket bullets, but don't really want to blow myself up trying.

alan

I wouldn't use H110 in anything that is not a full case or compressed. Used Imr4895 (22.0gr) with the lee 185gr GC boolit for 1600fps.

[MT Gianni]

Much appreciate all of the info.
Since I am shooting these out of a Handi Rifle, I don't care about cycling. I am on the cheap side, and prefer not to have to buy gas checks.
I am also going to play around with loads in the 900-1000 fps range, trying to emulate 300 Whisper, with the C312-185-1R and TLC312-160-2R bullets.
Anybody tried H110 or Lil' Gun in their 7.62x39? Would like to try and up the FPS with jacket bullets, but don't really want to blow myself up trying.

alan

Try 9 gr Herco with the 130 gr LY 311410. Gianni

[Linstrum]

Has anyone tried IMR7383 in the 7.62x39 yet? The proportions of the cartridge are very similar to the .50 spotter cartridge that IMR7383 was specifically designed for.

I have extensive experience in bolt rifles with this high energy triple base powder that at times can be extremely cranky if the loading density is too high or low, but none of my work has been in autoloaders since when loaded too lightly it leaves a lot of "mummies" or incompletely burned powder grains behind in the bore and cartridge, and these grains would tend to mess up the gas system in sensitive autoloader rifles. In the handy rifle this wouldn't be of much consequence, though.

The saving grace for IMR7383 is that when the load is right the stuff burns clean and consistent, providing outstanding accuracy and hence its use in aiming the 106mm recoilless cannon via the auxilliary .50 spotter rifle. It is also designed to be flashless and is quite handy for those who hunt at first or last light of the day since you won't get blinded by muzzle flash and can still see to make a second or third shot.

If any of you have IMR7383 but haven't used it extensively yet, be sure to research it here on this board since it can be quite finicky when working up a load, and many helpful posts have been written about its use.


rl350

[OBXPilgrim]

tn junk-

I tried the Lee TLC312-160 bullet with 5.0gr of Unique for "cat sneeze" (or whisper) load & it was still louder than I expected. The accuracy was there for it, along with about 7-8" of drop at 60 yards. This was in a Handi Rifle as well.

Don't do the H110 reduction as the others have said. IMR/H4895 (possibly Unique) will do what you need.

[Duckdog]

I use 19.5 gr of BL-C(2) in my sks's and rossi and they are super accurate. I am shooting both the Lee 155 and 160 gr bullets. I got the data from the Lee 2nd edition book with the newest cast bullet data.

It burns a tad dirty, but much better than say... unique.

I dont remember off hand what I calculated the fps to be, but it is definitely not nearing the max, even with straight ww.