Handloading 7.62x39

[steve4102]

I could use them for larger game though

What do you mean by larger game?

As already stated the 150gr .310-.311 bullets are to hard for the slow velocities generated by the X39. If you must have a 150gr I would start with this one from Speer.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=282179

In my Mini-30 for 150gr I use Hornady 150gr RN 30-30 bullets. These will have better terminal performance, bu they are .308 and may not be very accurate in your SKS.

For bullets of 135gr and up, my Ruger likes H-322, H-4198 and N-130. AA 1680 is a good powder for the x39, but I haven't had it do very well with bullets over 130gr.

 

[sureshot]

By larger game I mean thicker skinned animals

 

[rbernie]

I have used the Sierra 150gr and the Hornady 174gr RN on hog, and they've done fine. I've also used the Sierra 125gr on a 500lb boar, and got almost complete pass-through of the ribcage.

You might be surprised at how well the Sierra 125gr spitzer holds up to stout use. It's a lot mo' sturdy than the Hornady or similar....

 

[Jesse Heywood]

By larger game I mean thicker skinned animals

For thicker hide you need a bullet that does not expand, but penetrates. Which is what the military surplus ammo does best.

You are asking a lot out of a rifle and round that was designed to wound (not kill) humans at ranges of less than 100 yards. I would recommend a larger, more powerful round for animals larger than deer. For a mil-surplus gun something chambered for the 7.62 x 54 would be a far better choice.

 

[armoredman]

I would have to instantly disagree that 7.62x39mm was designed to wound at less than 100 yards. That would be a 22 Short. A lot of combat vets would disagree with you, too.
MilSurp ammo is verboten for hunting in many places, such as AZ, but a good soft point round will work very well on deer. Ballistics are often compared to 30-30, and I would hazard a guess a deer or two has fallen to it.
The bullets are out there, the load data is there, get the Loadbook and have fun. First section in Loadbook is Hornady, with loads for five different 150-155 grain bullets stepping out from 1700 to 2200 FPS.

 

[MrOldLude]

Not sure if it has been mentioned, but:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Put in your caliber, and it'll show you the tables for many different loads.

 

[cataway]

i agree the 762 39 is made to kill even the bullet the commies used was desigend to tumble when it hits flesh

 

[rbernie]

No offense, guys, but there's no need to speculate on how 7.62x39 can perform on game when a search of the rifles, hunting, and reloading forums here will reveal a number of first hand accounts of successes and issues with using it. For example, THR member krochus dropped a decent-sized deer at almost 300 yards with his (and posted about it here). My own experiences, also posted here, have shown that there's no reason that an accurate rifle chambered in 7.62x39 cannot put down any game animal inside of 300 yards and under, say, 400lbs.

It may not be ideal, but it's far from foolhardy.

 

[cataway]

there is no dought in my mind, i just cant find a deer that far away to prove it,less than 100yd is the norm

 

[PtrJack]

read, Read, READ!

Sureshot,
Your "friend" that is going to reload for you should know most of what has been posted here so far! If he doesn't know how to find load info., you don't need to be shooting bullets he has loaded!!! No joke!! I have probably loaded only about 500 rounds total, but I studied reloading several months before I loaded my first round!

It can be dangerous or possibly fatal to do it wrong. Don't play around with it.

Do the research or just use the factory loads. The communists have been using factory loads in the SKS with satisfactory results from day one!!!

 

[sureshot]

Great point

 

[Kachok]

The 7.62x39 does not pack the speed recomanded to cause expansion of bullets designed for 303, 308, or 30-06. Not at any kind of range anyway, if you are expecting a 150gr core lock PSP to expand properly at under 1,800 fps impact vilosity you will not be happy with the results, if you get any expansion it will be slight at best expect FMJ terminal performance. Wolf makes a 122gr Hollow point and a 150gr soft point both are lethal on deer sized game. Oh and using 30-30 load data for a 7.62x39 is crazy you will hurt yourself badly, the 30-30 is a longer and higher cap case that works at a slightly higher pressure do not try to mix.

 

[cataway]

''The 7.62x39 does not pack the speed recommended to cause expansion of bullets designed for 303, 308, or 30-06. ''

so very true ,but the 30 30 bullet sierra #2020 does, also the# 2000 150gr and #2010 170gr should do better than the 308 &06 bullets

i did get some good results from the #2020 some what in the mini 30 and was good in the fox ridge encore 7.62 X39

the hornady 123gr #3142 is still the best bullet as far as i'm concerned extremely good in my AR

 

[Kachok]

I did some reading and there is a better option then trying to get 30-30 bullets to work, Serria makes a fast opening 150gr real .312 cal that works well with the 7.62x39 speeds that sure beats trying to get accuracy out of a .308 bullet in a .313 barrel. It is sold as a pro hunter so they are not expensive at all either.

 

[Walkalong]

Sounds like a viable option Kachok.

 

[cataway]

ah but will it hit were your aiming

 

[steve4102]

Serria makes a fast opening 150gr real .312 cal that works well with the 7.62x39 speeds

Are you are referring to the Sierra 150gr Pro Hunter .311 #2300? I have talked to Sierra about this bullet in the X39 and was told it was designed for much higher velocities than the x39 can produce. Haven't tried it though, maybe it will work.

 

[Roodles]

Question to the re-loaders - has anyone got an accurate load with a lee 155gr 312" cast bullet?

For use in an AK with a 12" barrel.