Hand loading for 7.62X39

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loose noose

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I just ordered a Ruger Mini-30 Model 5854, I also ordered some .310 diameter bullets to reload, I understand that the Ruger barrel is generally .308, as I've been shooting an AK47 all these years with a .310 barrel.

My question is will it make any difference in the accuracy of this rifle, and if not, what are my alternatives to get the utmost accuracy out of this tactical firearm? I doubt seriously that it will harm the barrel.
 
I just ordered a Ruger Mini-30 Model 5854, I also ordered some .310 diameter bullets to reload, I understand that the Ruger barrel is generally .308, as I've been shooting an AK47 all these years with a .310 barrel.

My question is will it make any difference in the accuracy of this rifle, and if not, what are my alternatives to get the utmost accuracy out of this tactical firearm? I doubt seriously that it will harm the barrel.

You said two things that can't be said in the same sentence. Accuracy and mini thirty! While it's a fun gun to shoot, it's not a super accurate rifle. If you're bound and determined to try, the .310 bullets will work, the barrel will fire form them to whatever size it is. It is made to survive military ammo with oversize bullets.
 
I hear ya there snuffy, I've always reloaded the 123grn. .310 bullets for the AK, I do have some .308 bullets here in the 110 grain, that I generally use on my M-1 Carbine. Reckon I could use those as well. BTW I've got the Tactical ordered, that is the one with the flash suppressor and the 16.25" heavier barrel. Most of the articles I've read is that with good hand loaded rounds it is capable of placing 5 rounds in a MOA at 100 yards. I'm always playing with the accuracy of any rifle to try and achieve the ultimate accuracy of what the rifle is capable of. I've got some Wolfe springs here that I plan on using for a trigger job, which I figure will be absolutely necessary.
 
Pretty sure the new mini 30s are .310. I have one as well and was going to pick up some .310's based off of recommendations from THR folks.

Using 308s I've been able to get about 2MOA out of it. Given it's a 200 yard caliber (IMHO) that's a completely "usable" amount of accuracy.

Biggest issue I've been having is low velocities. I'm hoping it's because the bullet hasn't really been sealing properly.

By the way - love the Mini-30!!! Where I am (wooded Wisconsin), it's a fantastic "all day" gun. When I'm working outdoors, it's easy to throw over the shoulder and have it with you all day. 20 rounds of 7.62x39...if that doesn't get you out of whatever situation you come across (black bears in my case), I don't know what else would've worked.

Only caution - it won't run Russian steel ammo well. Some say the primers are too hard, I have a different theory. If you look at the primer in Russian steel case ammo, it tends to be recessed pretty far into the case. My theory is that the firing pin doesn't protrude far enough from the bolt to reliably punch the primer deep enough. It's been 100% with about 500 handloads through it. Prvi brass, CCI 200 primers, H322 and R7 both run great.
 
DLrocket89, I appreciate the information, according to the 49th Lyman Reloading manual I believe H335 is the powder that gives the best accuracy in the 7.62X39 round using 123grn. That is the one I've been using in my AK47 and have been able to get right at 2-2.5" groups at 100 yards using 5 shot groups and allowing the barrel to cool between strings. Actually the grouping is a little bit better than 2.5" if you take in consideration, that even if I only shoot 3 shot strings, it will always throw one flier.

My velocity has been pretty consistent at 2090 to 2100fps. I use a light taper crimp, and I trim all the cases to 1.528" with an OAL of 2.195, now that is out of a fairly new AK47, I'm sure my results will vary once I get my Ruger.
 
You really should try the NEW CFE BLK in your 7.62x39. It's given me and several other guys I know great accuracy and velocity. In a 16" barrel you can get over 2500fps with a 123 grain bullet.
 
Thanks folks for the replies I'll have to try CFE BLK, and also Accurate 1680 once my Mini-30 gets here, supposed to be here no later than Thursday, meanwhile I'll have to try some in my AK47. Hopefully my LGS has some of those powders.
 
I also have experienced good results with AA1680 in 7.62X39. I have loads worked up using GC lead/JSP bullets and fired brass for if things become unavailable again but for now I buy the steel cased ammo in bulk and shoot it as is or pull the bullets and use JSP bullets in place of the FMJ due to the price point. My mini 30 and SKS's are not tack drivers so no heroic actions to make good ammo for them at this point.
 
I like stick powders and H4198 does well for me. H4895 is also pretty accurate and cycles my 7.62x39 ARs just fine. I even loaded with IMR 4064, runs well and cycle AR fine but it does not burn clean when getting cold. 4064 does not have published load and I would not recommend to others, since it does not burn clean in cold weather, I would not use it in 7.62x39 anymore.
 
I've got some IMR4198 that I've used in my .223/556 cartridges, will have to try some of that also.

Car Junket, I haven't been able to find New CFE Black out here at any of the LGS, BTW how does it meter?
 
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I have an older Mini-30, and I've tried a few load workups with it. It is not a tack driver, I can tell you that much.

So far the only powder I have tried is H335. I have assumed it is .308 since it is an older gun (which I have since discovered may not be the case) all I have tried thus far are .308 bullets. Hornady 130SP, Speer 125 TNT, and Sierra 125 SP. The best I have gotten so far is about 2.5 MOA.

I really need to slug the barrel to find out just what I have. I suggest you do the same. Some people use .308 bullets in .310 barrels with some success.

Some interesting things I have noticed:
I have to crimp. If not, the bullet will jump when chambered. I determined this by manually chambering rounds until I determined just how much was needed. Apparently the bolt slams the round into the chamber fast enough for it to act like a kinetic bullet puller.

The ramp and chamber opening have very sharp edges. With soft nose bullets, I was getting some shaving of the exposed lead unless I seated the bullet deeper than mag length.

For some reason, the first round tended to hit slightly high and right compared to subsequent rounds. The only thing I could figure is that a manually loaded 1st round for some reason doesn't chamber the same as subsequent rounds. It wasn't much, but it was noticeable and repeatable.

I believe the gun is way over-gassed. The spent casings will go into the next county, even at the min powder charges. Maybe this would change if I used a faster burning powder (I intend to try H4198 sometime).

There is a company that specializes in upgrades for the Ruger Minis - http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php# They have adjustable gas blocks and gas reduction bushings that I intend to try out.

Here is a good link as well: https://loaddata.com/articles/PDF/BenchTopics 47 LR.pdf
 
For some reason, the first round tended to hit slightly high and right compared to subsequent rounds. The only thing I could figure is that a manually loaded 1st round for some reason doesn't chamber the same as subsequent rounds. It wasn't much, but it was noticeable and repeatable.

Thats pretty common in SKS rifles as well regardless of if your using steel case ammo or handloads in jacketed or cast lead, and as you say it not much but noticeable.

Back when I first started loading the cartridge I used AA 1680 but it's hard to find around here these days. I switched over to reloader #7 for jacketed loads and never looked back, I have a lb. of CFE Black to try out at some point. I pretty much shoot cast lead in all my SKS rifles these days using Alliant 2400, but I don't know how that would fair cycling a Mini 30 Reloader #7 wouldn't be a problem as it has a little longer pressure curve.
 
I just ordered a Ruger Mini-30 Model 5854, I also ordered some .310 diameter bullets to reload, I understand that the Ruger barrel is generally .308, as I've been shooting an AK47 all these years with a .310 barrel.

My question is will it make any difference in the accuracy of this rifle, and if not, what are my alternatives to get the utmost accuracy out of this tactical firearm? I doubt seriously that it will harm the barrel.

Can't speak to the mini-30 but my Savage model 10 in 7.62x39 cares not at all whether the bullets are .311, .310, .309 (some are) or .308. It shoots them all into a tidy little group.

I think people worry way too much about this with the fine little caliber.

BTW, I'm a RL-7 guy for my 7.62x39. Works great and I see no reason to change.
 
I do believe I've got some RL-7 powder in my powder magazine here, I'll have to . load some of that up and try it in my AK, while awaiting that Mini-30.
 
I do believe all the wives tales of the Mini 30 not being capable of accuracy are just that. A Mini is just as accurate as any other firearm. You can't insult a man's rifle. As far as reloading for the Mini, you might want to head over to perfect union and see whats going on in the Mini front.

I load for the 7.62x39. Nothing inherently bad about this round. You must use the proper size bullets. Powder choices vary, but I like AA1680. There are other choices that are nice was well.

I load for a AK (Saiga), a SKS, CZ527, and a Mini 30. I prefer bulk ammo for most of the time, but for hunting and other work I prefer to roll my own.
 
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