The 7.62x39 bench gun is no more, I give you .30PPC Largo

[R.W.Dale]

So, krochus, you figured out the powder thing, and maybe gotten some loads chrono'ed?

Sorry but no I haven't even taken it back to the range. I'm waiting on a reply from Leupold on my scope having possibly konked out. To be frank I've been sitting out on the recent nuttiness in the shooting world and have been working on and spending money on my Jeep.

I'll drag this topic back up when I have more to report

 

[kcmarine]

You've gotta find out the long- range effectiveness of that cartridge... That'd be incredibly interesting, especially fired out of an AK that has been re- chambered.

 

[R.W.Dale]

UPDATE

velocity data for pet loads to date

125g Speer TNT----32.5g H-335= 2525 fps avg

110g Hornady V-Max-----33.5g H-335= 2740 fps avg

100g Lapua HPCE----27.8g N-120= 2867fps avg

my best group to date was 32.5g of H-335 and 110 v-maxes @.254" for 5 at 100

What I've found is with less than 5% change in case capacity there's no real improvement in ballistics within pressure limitations set apoun 7.62x39 loadings. Where the improvement lies is in case life and pressure holding ability with loads EXCEEDING SAAMI pressures. Before reaming my chamber real toasty x39 loads would produce noticeable expansion rings and frequent case timings. The much straighter PPC LARGO case shows none of these ill effects at the same pressure and velocity levels thus improving brass life and allowing for higher pressures.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

krochus,

You probably already know this, but I'll throw it out there anyway (just in case you don't)

Varget and Reloder 15 are always pretty close together on burn rate charts...but they vary back and forth on which is slower or faster burning depending on bullet weights and case capacities...

Just sayin...Reloder 15 might give you a little more (or a little less, but its worth a try)

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

as #8, good post krochus.

 

[Walkalong]

Very cool. This is what happens when shooters get bored with what they have. A very creative bunch.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I keep coming back to this thread and looking at that fire formed brass...

My mind is telling me there is something more to be gained there than simply better case life...I just can't quite figure it out though.

5% more capacity should give more velocity (with the right powder)...not to mention that the blown out case should be a more efficient powder burner.

Something just isn't adding up...It has to be the powder and/or primer. (I think)

I don't know anything about reloading the 7.62x39mm...I've burned up a lot of it in SKS's, but never reloaded it.

But I do...I keep coming back and looking at that formed brass, its trying to tell me something...LOL.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Good job krochus...keep us posted on your load developments.

 

[Maverick223]

Probably a stupid question, and there is no *good* reason to want to do it, but can you shoot 7.62x39 steel cased out of it?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Probably a stupid question, and there is no *good* reason to want to do it, but can you shoot 7.62x39 steel cased out of it?

Yes you can. Yes you can

 

[Maverick223]

Interesting, thank you for indulging my curiosity.

 

[scythefwd]

Thread Necromancy...

Dale, I know you have already disassembled and sold of the stevens a long time ago. The topic of 7.62x39 AR's came up on another forum and about how they are always problemmatic. Would your 30 ppc largo potentially feed better from a standard AR magazine and eliminate the feeding issues that most x39 AR owners experience?