I wonder if any one has been able to identify and or come up with a equivalent powder for this venerable cartridge. Or maybe someone could point me in the right direction to find some spec's for a few decent loads. I have both an SKS and a WASR, I like to use the heavier bullets in the SKS as the longer barrel can make better use of them (Wolf 154gr Soft Tip). I would like to work up some loads that work for my rifles, and of course find the ones that don't work!

Thanks...

M. G.

www.lapua.com/fileadmi...de2008.pdf

data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

www.alliantpowder.com/...ire%20Load

www.accuratepowder.com...%20285.pdf

www.reloadersnest.com/...liberID=66

stevespages.com/310_1.html

www.accuratereloading....76239.html

I don't load for the 7.62 x 39mm but I've read in the past that Acccurate 1680 was a good powder for the cartridge. Accurate's manual "Number One" shows a velocity of 2055 ft/sec with a 150 grain bullet.

Added a few hours later >> I knew I'd read it someplace! Its on the can of 1680! "... developed specifically for the 7.62 x 39 cartridge."

Thanks for the replies guyz! I know eventually that prices of 7.62x39 will rise and it would be great to have the proper data to reload my own. I know it isn't quite cost effective yet to reload this cartridge but I think it will be sooner or later, especially if the domestic ammo companies get serious about the popularity of the AK's and SKS's and start mass-producing reloadable brass.

Oh yeah, Pumpkinslinger, thanks for the info on the 1680 but you look too young to be having senior moments already!

M. G.

MGKelly wrote:

Oh yeah, Pumpkinslinger, thanks for the info on the 1680 but you look too young to be having senior moments already!

Not senior moments MG......around here we call its CRS, which I call Crappy Recall Syndrome. Can happen at any age and usually does.

Cheers, Vince

Vince, we call it CRS too, but it stands for "Can't Remember Sh*t".

As for the 1680, I'd have never remembered that but I pulled some out to make up some .22 Hornet loads for testing.

hey all, 1st post here, i recently started reloading and i cooked up 7.62x39 using imr4198, burned really clean and was very accurate.

Thanks for the info azbubba. By the way....welcome to HuntingNut mate. Graba beer or three, pullup a stump and sit awhile.

Don't be afraid to post your load mate....it can only help those that wish to load this particular calibre. Don't forget to share it in the Point Blank database too mate.

Cheers, Vince

This is my 150 Gr. SP loads. I feel like this load will shoot allot better I'm using iron sights and my eye sight of late isn't what it used to be definitely need a new pair of glasses for my shooting to improve . My sights are set 1" high at 50 Yds. The load functioned perfectly ejecting the spend brass about 15 ft. from my table. I had one slight flyer on each group or they would have been a bit tighter,but I'm happy with the results for a short range heavy bullet load. Max load in the LEE manual is 24.8 Gr. of Reloader #7 My load was 24.0 Grs. even. I saw no pressure signs on the primer with this load,according to the load data the MV is a little over 2100 fps. I used the load data from the newest LEE reloading manual. The rounds seem to equal the feel of Golden Tiger they definitely have a little punch to them.

Speer 150 Gr. .311 FB SP The black squares are 1/2"


I also have worked up several loads using the various Hornady 123 Gr. bullet offerings in FMJ,SP & V-MAX MV is just a little over 2300 fps using either AA1680 or Reloader #7 I use a charge of 25.5 Gr. of either powder for these three bullet types and weight. the MAX load for the AA 1680 is 25.8 Grs. and RL-7 is 26.8 Grs LYMAN #48 Manual. However using the CCI #34 primer which is a MAGNUM primer I find the 25.5 gr charge to be safe with no pressure signs in my YUGO & Chinese and very accurate in both. Here are two of my 50 Yd iron sigh targets. with SP & FMJ.

YUGO 5 shot group using AA1680 and Hornady 123 Gr. SP


Chinese /26\ 5 shot group using RL-7 and Hornady 123 Gr. FMJ


This is a first time loading using the Hornady 123 gr. V-MAX and IMR-4198 it will need a bit of tweaking but it worked pretty good first time out. I found the 4198 when I was doing a powder inventory so I though I would give it a try since it readily available around here. I used a charge of 24 Grs. even 24.8 being the MAX load. Again I do my testing in the back yard on my 50 yds range.


All loads were loaded using LEE 3 die set,cases trimmed with LEE case length gage trimmer and all Hornady bullets crimped on the crimp groove with the LEE FCD on Med. crimp the 150 Gr Speer .311 bullet has no cannalure I used the same crimp setting as I did on the 123 Gr. bullets with an OAL of 2.200 on all Rounds.

Looks good res45. Even though your testing is done at only 50 yds, it certainly looks like you have a good shooter there.

I know exactly what you are going through with your eyes....been ther, done that. I eventually found that I had to fit a scope to my rifles as it was the only way I could see the sights and target. Might be a worthwhile investment for your SKS mate.

Cheers, Vince

Well at 50 yards those 1" groups are still impressive coming from a SKS from what I've seen.

Still 7.62x39mm surplus is still commonly avalible, this thread just may temp me enough to pick up a case or 2 of the stuff and a SKS for a plinker gun.

Dimitri

I do most of my plinking with the 22rf,it's allot cheaper than the SKS although I do shoot it quiet abit,Russian ammo around here is available but it up around $5 to $6 a box and I can reload mine for $4,have allot cleaner rifle afterwards and better performance all around especially since I use my SKS rifles for short range deer and hog guns.

The Russian ammo is just to inconsistent and I like the performance of the home grown bullets for hunting. Around here in North Carolina most of my shots are 100 Yds. or less. I enjoy reloading and bringing the best out of a rifle, I bought my bulk components a longtime ago before the prices went crazy so I'm set for quiet a few years.