7.62x39 powders?

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Upon recommendations seen on this board I picked up some Accurate Arms 1680 to use in my 7.62x39 123gr. (Speer soft point) loads. I've loaded a lot of stuff before, but never 7.62x39. This will be used in an Arsenal SA M7-A1R - AK clone.

What might I be looking to gain or lose by going to Hodgdon 335 or BL-C(2)? These are commonly available in my area, whereas AA-1680 is only available at one store.

At any rate I'm looking forward to trying out some handloads in this gun!
 
H 335 and BLC-2 are on the slow side(burn rate) for the 7.62x39. The slower the powder the more you have to use to achieve acceptable velocities. With both of these slow powders max is over 31gr for a 125gr bullet. 31gr of H335 fills the case just about to the top, this is a heavily compressed load. I like compressed loads in many of my rifles, I just never could get acceptable velocities with 335 or BLC-2 in my 7.62x39.
If you like the Hodgdon powders, give H322 a try. It gave me the best accuracy and velocity of all the H powders I tried.
 
You may have some trouble getting SP's to feed in AK's

At least some AK's don't like Soft Point bullets. I wish someone made a Winchester SilverTip-type bullet for the 7.62x39.

CDD
 
I may have to go to FMJ or a polymer tipped bullet if it won't feed soft points. Does anybody actually make a polymer tipped .310 bullet in the 123-125gr. range? I'm going to try some Speer 130gr. hollow points because I have a few and I know they are an accurate bullet.

It's not necessarilly that I have a preference for Hodgdon powders, but BL-C(2), and I guess 335, can be used in other things I load. 1680 will be a powder for 7.62x39 ONLY for me. Not that that's bad, but it's always nice to have flexibility. I have other "dedicated" powders, so if this is what it takes to get the "best" performance out of the 7.62x39 and 123-130gr. bullets, no problem. "Best" as in highest velocity, lowest pressure, best accuracy, easy metering, high load density, little or no muzzle flash, and cheapest! That's what we all want right!

1680 did happen to be the cheapest at $15.50 a pound, the Hodgdon powders were $18 or $19.
 
I just started loading M43 too, and I used AA1680 since I heard about the large charges needed with H335. I used Hornady soft points and they fed fine. Anyway, my advice is: buy a brass catcher. M43 brass is relatively tough to find, and it's not as cheap as 223. My WASR chucks that stuff FAR and I'm only recovering about 70-80% of it.

My load used the largest hole in the Lee Pro Auto Disk (single, not double). I don't have my notes in front of me, but I think it was around 24gr. It was a little bit hotter than the Golden Tiger I normally use, but I wouldn't consider it hot and the primers looked fine, as did the brass.
 
I have tried AA1680 and it was OK.

I actually prefer H4198; I get good velocities, it meters well, it seems to be relatively temperature insensitive, and I can buy it locally from a number of storefronts. I can also use it in a number of my other loads, so it's easier for me to buy it in bulk.

I hunt with Hornady 123gr SP, Sierra 125gr SP, and Hornady 150gr bullets. All will feed in my SKSs, AKs, and AR15s just fine. The Hornady 174gr will feed OK in my AR15 but hangs up in some of my AKs.
 
Excellent information guys!

I checked the burn rates and it looks like H-4198 and RL-7 have virtually the same burn rate with H-322 being just slightly slower. It looks like there must be something to that range that works for 7.62x39.

rbernie,

What kind of velocities were you getting with H-4198? I think if I could get 2,350 or so, and good consistency I'd be happy. I really don't know what to expect as the Woof ammo I shot over the chronograph was all over the place! H-4198 having less temperature sensitivity (than 1680?) would be a good thing. I live in Montana and we see a really broad range of temperatures, and I like the Hodgdon "extreme" powders just for this reason. Is H-4198 an "extreme" powder or is it just less temperature sensitive? Right now might not be the best time to develop a max load as it's a little on the cool side.
 
I've been getting decent groupings with H-4198 in my yugo SKS. It's nice because I can switch off the gas port and not have to hunt for brass that would otherwise be beat up. Remember to use Arsenal Primers in SKS, or any rifle with a floating firing pin. Just chambering a round with a soft primer and a floating firing pin could get you more action than you want. I've been using Winchester brass and CCI #34 primers. No slam-fires and pretty good consistancy, it seems, though I haven't chronographed any of them.
 
YUGO SKS 7.62 x 39

AA1680/123 Gr. .310 SP Load
Target 8 1/2 x 11 at 50 YDS. iron sights 1 " Bull.
scan1-2-1.gif

RL-7 /Speer 150 Gr. .311 Hot Core
Target 8 1/2 x 11 at 50 Yds. iron sights
Black Squares are 1/2"
scan1-2.gif
 
I've gotten best velocities with AA1680. Accuracy was a bit better with IMR4198 but velocities were off about 100fps.

IMR3031 won't give as good of velocities and port pressure is rather high. The SKS's I loaded for would throw the cases about 2x as far with H322 or IMR3031.

I finally resolved to stick with #1680 as it gave good all-around results.

I also got best accuracy with the Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tip. It fed well, but so did the Hornady 123gr Soft Pt. as well as the 125gr Sierra PtSP which was almost as accurate as the 125gr Nosler (yes, these are .308" bullets but shot VERY well in my .310" barrels. As I remember, max is about 28.5gr, but I got best accuracy at ~26.5gr of 1680, for about 2,350fps. Max would run a 123-125gr bullet to about 2,450fps.

I also got good results with the Lee 152-PtGC bullets at .311" over an assortment of powders at velocities from 1,200fps to 2,100fps. Alliant (Hercules) #2400 also did well with higher powder charges cycling the action.

For load development and range firing, I often removed the gas piston so that the gun functioned as a straight-pull bolt action with spring assisted feed.

Avoided having to "hunt" the brass.

I still prefer the good ole' .30/30.
 
Aa2015br

Accurate Arms 2015 (BR) powder, which was specifically designed for the PPC line of calibers (hense the name BR for bench rest...) and of course, the PPC cartridges were derived from the 7.62x39. My CZ 527 LOVEs the powder and with 123 grain hornady soft points and the new Hornady Vmax (.310 from grafs) they group in at an honest inch an provide for the same point of impact. Hope that helps.
Joe
 
For load development and range firing, I often removed the gas piston so that the gun functioned as a straight-pull bolt action with spring assisted feed.
Click to expand...

That is a good idea, one of the reasons I bought a Yugo with the grenade launch switch on it. 1 shot situation, but what you are doing is a handy fix.

res45,
That is some nice grouping for an SKS.
 
7,62x39 suitable powder

VihtaVuori N-120 is suitable for 7,62x39. Burning rate is near Accurate1680, IMR 4198 and Reloader 7. N-120 is suitable also 30-30 Winc and .444 Marlin. ( lighter bullets many .22 cal). :cool:
 
I've used H-4198. I can't claim the groups above, but it was reasonably accurate at 50 yards with a worn barrel. Pressures seem just fine.
 
1680 and don't look back.
Click to expand...

so I get a rare opportunity to blow out of the house before the kiddos are tucked in (MIL is visiting) and head out to the Kittery Trading Post to buy a pound of 1680...

out of stock!

O.K. well at least I can get primers......

and their out of WLR primers too!!

Arghh!

oh well....spent 40 min. cruisin' the gun racks.

Admired a Savage 114! Very pretty rifle....it's on my short list
 
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