30-30 loads in 7.62x39

[AgentAdam]

I have found allot of load data for cast bullets in the .308,30-30,and 30-06 and was wondering if i could use these reduced by 10% as a starting load for a 7.62x39 Yugo SKS and Romanian AK47.

Which one of these cases has the most similar capacity and pressure ratings?

 

[rcmodel]

NO.

Of the three cartridges you mentioned, the 30-30 Win. is the closest. The .308 & 30-06 are not even in the same ball park.

But many of the powders recommeded for the 30-30 are often not suitable for use in gas operated 7.62x39 rifles.

Get yourself a Lyman #49 manual and it has load data for the 7.62x39 for 115 and 130 cast bullets.

rcmodel

 

[Archie]

What rcmodel said

The 7.62x39 is similar in external ballistics to the .30-30 BUT the pressure levels and requirements for a gas operated semi-automatic are different.

There's a fair amount of loading data for 7.62x39. Speer's reloading book from 1974 has 7.62x39 loading data. There's no need to risk anything by trying to 'alter' other information to fit.

 

[AgentAdam]

I'm not looking for the bolt to cycle. I will probably have the gas valved turned off and will operate the bolt manual with neck sized cases for better accuracy if they will feed.

The 30-30 load data I'm looking at are Reduced Pressure loads with lots of unique info for 100,110,115,125,130,150,and 170g ranging from a subsonic 890 to 2600fps. There are powders i have seen mentioned in reloading 7.62x39 like A1680,bl-c2,H4198,R-7,H335 and even pistol powders they are having good luck with over at castboolits like bullseye,unique,and 2400 for specialty loads. It list the PSI pressure for each load and they are all under 7.62x39 specs.

I plan on loading a 100-115g, a 135-130g, a 150g,170g,and 200g in BOTH cast and jacketed in subsonic ,midrange,and full power loads. 1680 can't do all that.

 

[Jeff F]

rcmodel gave some good advice.

 

[steve4102]

 

[AgentAdam]

That chart is to small to read and when i blow it up it distorts.

I will probably stay under 25,000psi, half of sammi specs, to prevent bullet deformation and gas cutting without gas checks. This should give me about 1700fps for a 170g cast boolit and upwards of 2200fps for the lighter ones without leading if i can keep the peak pressure under 25,000.