7.62 X 39 ammo accuracies

[BudS]

Over the years, I have bought up quantities of different mfrs. of this ammo as it became available: Russian surplus, et. al. which included Wolf, then Yugo, then Czech and Cheetah (South African). I've been told the latter two are the best & most accurate, along with Barnaul (sp?). I like the brass-cased ammo, in case I decide to start reloading.

It looks like all the Czech ammo is gone & I haven't seen the Cheetah in a while at the gun shows, either, so at this point, what is best/most accurate? So what, if it doesn't cost $1.99/box any more?

Actual experiences, please...no favorite opinions "just because"...I want the real info, if possible. Rifles used are SKS' and AK's Thanks in advance.

 

[Med 10]

I get pretty good results with S&B ammo.

I also find the old hollowpoint Russian milsurp to be VERY reliable.

As far as accuracy goes, I dont think the cartridge is all that accurate any way. Out of AK and SKS types 3-4 inch groups at 100yards are the best i can do!

 

[zeke]

Lapua, and the brass is excellent for reloading. Federal hunting rounds have also has been very accurate.

 

[Gewehr98]

Reloading for the AK is frowned upon around these parts...

But it doesn't mean you can't do it. I've reloaded about 5k rounds for my Bulgarian SLR-95, and gotten verified 1" groups at 50 yards with the gun and my ammo. I stopped using surplus ammo after the first couple magazines' worth, nothing but handloads ever since.

The round does indeed have the potential for good accuracy. Nobody wants to talk about such things with the easy and cheap availability of the steel cased surplus fodder, like Wolf or Barnaul. Were those sources to dry up, and American shooters to rely on Remington, Winchester, or Federal 7.62x39, I'd wager things would change. There are some owners of the Ruger M77 bolt guns, CZ bolt guns, and Contender handcannons that do wonderful things with the 7.62x39.

About those S. African brass cases. I've got a few, and a flashlight inspection reveals that they have 2 flash holes - they're Berdan primed, and not easily reloaded without special Berdan primer tools. Take a look inside those cases you saved, before you run them through a decapper...

 

[AK103K]

As far as accuracy goes, I dont think the cartridge is all that accurate any way. Out of AK and SKS types 3-4 inch groups at 100yards are the best i can do!

Most milspec ammo is 3moa anyway,(not that it wont do better, but thats the spec) so 3-4" isnt "off". For an AK or SKS, thats average to better than average. My Krebs AK103K with the right ammo will shoot around 2" on ocassion, and regularly out shoots my Bushmaster Dissapator. I have the best results with the Barnaul SP's.

 

[BudS]

Alrighty, then!

Thanks for the info- I got a PILE of the Russian steel-cased HPs several years ago- and a buddy of mine was selling out, so I got a bunch of them and a few JHPs for a couple of pennies per round. I'll be looking for the Czech, the Lapua and Federal. I and my son use SKS' for hunting and the AK is for fun...and a shot over 100 yards in these parts is rare...more like 40-60 yards is the norm. I'd just like something effective for that range & not have to worry about fellow hunters in the club 500 yards downrange. We pretty careful about positioning ourselves out of the line of fire around here, but it pays to be extra careful!

BTW, thanks for the tip on the SA ammo, Gewehr98!

Today wasn't a wasted day...I learned something!

 

[BigG]

I shot the Win White box 7.62X39 and got the same accuracy as white box 223s. Guns were Colt AR15s.

 

[waynzwld]

Try Silver Bear 7.62X39, it seems to group a little tighter than Wolf

 

[BudS]

Silver Bear

Is Silver Bear a Russian surplus load? Brass or steel casings? I think I may have seen it somewhere, like Shotgun News. Thanks.