Hey, guys.
I’m back to reloading after a 5 year hiatus with a question.
I am reloading 7.62x39 for a Saiga “sporter rifle” and an NPAP AK47. Both are zeroed with iron sights and Wolf 123 grain FMJ…by “zeroed” I mean I get groups of 2-3” at 50 yards in and around the bullseye. Best I can do.
Following the Hornady Handbook of Reloading and Hodgdon’s reloading data center site, I reloaded both Lee 160 grain, .312” gas checked boolits (from Lyman #2 alloy) and some Hornady .312” diameter 150 grain soft points.
I started with 20.2 grains of H4198. My results were disappointing after shooting 5 rounds of each type of ammo in each rifle.
With the NPAP, I had 2” groups, 4” high with both types of projectile. Not too bad. But with the Saiga, they were about 6” right and 3” low with larger 4” groups. Moving to 21.5 grains of H4198 produced similar results. I chose not to graduate to my 23 grain loads as I did not want to waste components.
Saiga has a 1:9.44” twist rate (chrome-lined barrel), NPAP 1:10” rate. Both slugged at identical .310” groove diameter. I just don’t know how long each rifle’s freebore area is, or how far each projectile is from where the rifling begins. But, still, I am disappointed especially with the Saiga.
Why would the Saiga be so far off with large groups, while the NPAP was a bit better? I realize I moved from 123 grain to 150-160 grains, but expected better from my Saiga. Plus, most people rave about the Lee .312” cast boolits in their AKs.
Suggestions? Should I conclude my Saiga does not like heavier projectiles?