Heavy Bullet 7.62x39 Loads

No experience but according to a gentleman on another site, accuracy at the velocities possible is unlikely with the rifle's twist rate.

I used load 170g 30-30 FP's to shoot in my x39 AR15

they shot quite well and fed GREAT with the right charge of H335 netting appx 1950 FPS

Well within this bullets expansion envelope. Which is a factor you want to be VERY aware of. You can't just use any bullet ad as low a velocity as you want and expect it to expand.

I don't know yet, but tomorrow I will starting to work up loads with a cast 160 grain gas checked bullet.

Data from 125gr up to 240gr.
http://www.accuratereloading.com/76239.html

I've had good results so far on paper with Speer's 150gr flat base Spitzer out of my Mini30. atop 322.
I'm doubtful of the standard 123gr sp effectiveness beyond about 125 yds on large deer. it's all placement of course but if conditions made a boiler room shot or shoulder shot necessary or a rakeing shot then the 150gr would likely do better. just my .02

I have worked up a 180 gr load in an SKS with H110.

I blew the firing pin out of the bolt.

It is not a strong gun to fool around with.

I hunted for years with a 7.62x39 16" AR15, and these are from my loading notes:

Load, brass length, primer, powder, charge, bullet, OAL, average velocity
7.62x39 1.520 CCI 400 H322 25gr Hornady 174 RN 2.250 1950
7.62x39 1.520 CCI 400 H322 28gr Hornady 150 SP 2.250 2200
7.62x39 1.520 CCI 400 H4198 27gr Sierra 125 SP 2.200 2400

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Brass was Remington (hence the use of small rifle primers).

the load there with the 150gr Hornady is about what I'm hopeing for, don't have a chrono but a 26.5gr charge is a compressed load with the Speer, I'm going to try the Sierra pro-hunter which evidently is known for good expansion. and use 4198 powder. this is Mini 30.
I've used my 30 for 2 doe tags so far with the Winny 123gr sp factory load. both good-sized does, one a neck/base of skull shot broadside at about 100 feet dern near blew it's head off. this was a standing rest shot I had time for dead aim. the other was front-on at about 75 yds slowly moveing. I shot too low standing off-hand and the slug went right down the gullet the jacket came off in the stomach the core was stuck in the pelvic bone it made a huge jump and ran maybe 20' then dropped and kicked a bit. dead is dead of course but I feel the 123gr s-p slugs are too light for bigger deer or bear/hogs at range beyond what an aimed shot to the heart/neck/skull can be taken.

I'm going to try the Sierra pro-hunter which evidently is known for good expansion.

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Which 150gr "Pro Hunter" the .308 or the .311? I talked to Sierra a few years ago about their 125gr and 150gr .308 Pro Hunters and the Mini-30. They told me that the 125 and 150gr PH were designed for higher velocities and they would be a poor choice for the velocities of the 7.62x39, "pencil through" was the term they used. I have no idea what the .311 will do or what velocities it was designed for.

Armed with that info I looked toward the 150gr 30-30 class bullets. I tested them all and the 150gr Hornady 30-30 Rn came out on top. Accurate as hell and terminal performance was excellent.

You ever get a chance to ballistic media test those bullets I sent you?

I lost a deer due to using a 150 .311 pro hunter in a cartridge too slow for it's design parameters. In fact it was the cartridge being discussed here

I lost a deer due to using a 150 .311 pro hunter in a cartridge too slow

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So...what happened? Did the deer out run it?

It took off after a through and through shot broadside through the lungs and then hightailed it to the horizon leaving very small but foamy bloodtrail for severa hundred yards.

The deer was hit well as per it's reaction and the bullet kicked up dust after passing through. Giving me every indication the bullet failed to expand. Afterward I went to a more fragile bullet and have had no such repeat.

BTDT, I think all who hunt deer will experience the same thing if they hunt long enough. I had this exact thing happen on a large Bama buck with a 30-30 175gr @ <30yds.

I prefer lighter/softer bullets for deer. The .311/.312 150gr and 174gr bullets open up well on hogs (presumably due to the heavier construction of the hogs).

lost a deer due to using a 150 .311 pro hunter in a cartridge too slow for it's design parameters. In fact it was the cartridge being discussed here

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Then I would guess the .311 and the .308 PH are running about the same as far as "design parameters" go, I'm not surprised. They are just to tough for the wimpy velocities of the 7.62x39. 30-30 class or Ballistic Tip class are about the best you can do with this little guy with 150+gr bullets.

Sure wish Sierra would bring back the 135gr Single Shot Pistol bullet, the perfect bullet for the 7.62x39.

Steve- I've made the 'box' to hold the test medium, wet stacked cardboard and wet packed sawdust but haven't finished loading the slugs yet. I had some Nosler 125's on hand - I had tryed them on paper before they dropped too much to suit me. I'm thinking I'll nix the Sierra 150 after reading here of it's lack of performance and replace with the Hornady rn 30-30 slug although I'm going to try the Speer anyway at about 75 yds along with some others.
that is when time permits I'm seriously considering going to the Gulf for the clean-up the economy is in the tank around here and work is really slow here.

I finally got some loaded, testing tomorrow morning if the weather co-operates.

Well, I had to wait for a new scope to arrive, and then to get out to da range, but these boolits didn't do too bad.

First group of home cast rifle boolits.



Last group when I ran out.



I think I am on to something. Short range, but i was sighting in the scope. Next time I will get to the 100 yard range.

Edit to add, cleanup was a breeze, no leading with these wheel weight cast slugs.

Would the 30 cal (30-30) LeverEvolution bullet work in the x39 case? Better yet, what is the bore diameter of the 527 carbine in x39? 310?

Would the 30 cal (30-30) LeverEvolution bullet work in the x39 case? Better yet, what is the bore diameter of the 527 carbine in x39? 310?

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Yes and yes. 527 is .310 and a .308 bullet will work. Will it be accurate? Duno. Will it be safe, yes.

.308 won't be nearly as accurate due to the bore dimensions. I prefer the Hornady .310 Soft Point for my jacketed rounds.