7.62x25 Tokarev Problem

[Fairlane63]

Hello High Roaders,
I started reloading this past July—the advice I found on this board was extremely helpful as to what equipment I should start out with. I ordered the Rock Chucker kit from Cabela’s and I’ve been really pleased with it. So far, I’ve loaded a variety of .38spcl and .45ACP rounds and I’d like to start reloading for a few rifle rounds in a few months. I have had one problem however…

Since I have a CZ-52 and a TT-33, I tried reloading the 7.62x25. Both pistols shoot tight groups with the S&B factory stuff. I’d read here and elsewhere that M-1 carbine bullets work well with the CZ-52, so a bought a few hundred of the 110 grain FMJ Remingtons. I loaded several rounds with AA No.5 from 6.0 grains up to 8.0 grains in .2 grain increments. All of the cartridges fed and functioned well in both pistols—the accuracy was pretty good with the CZ. However, with the TT… “shotgun pattern†would have been a complement. Most of the rounds key-holed at 10 yards and the few that didn’t were just all over the place—the amount of powder seemed to make little difference. It was pretty demoralizing because this TT is a real tackdriver with the S&B and is a fun gun to shoot too. What could be the problem?

The M-1 bullet is longer than the S&B bullet, so I’m inclined to believe that maybe the twist rate in the TT is not fast enough to stabilize the longer bullet. I don’t know what the twist rate is in either pistol though. AA is the only powder I’ve seen tokarev loads for—could a different powder be the solution? I’d really like to make the M-1 bullet work because they are cheap and plentiful—does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris W.

 

[Black Snowman]

Might want to slug the bore on the TT. It could be a caliber issue. I hear the CZ vary quite a bit in this department but since that one is doing OK we can probably leave it be.

If it's not the bullet caliber the next thing would be twist rate. The heavier the bullet the faster twist you need. The "normal" Tok rounds are 85 grains. How heavy are the bullets you're using?

I know a lot of people have had good luck with the .308" 90 gr Hornady XTPs. Might try a few of those.

 

[Jim Watson]

I agree, slug the bore.
Rifling twist on an M1 carbine is 20" and 22" for a Marlin .32-20 with 115 grain bullet, so I doubt it is that. But you can measure that, too. Have to be careful, though, it will only have a half to quarter turn in a pistol barrel.

 

[Cortland]

Another option for target loads is to buy lead bullets for .32 H&R magnum, and then swage them down to .309 with a Lee Bullet Sizer die.

 

[petrel800]

Penn bullets offers a 90 grain .308 dia bullet for loading the 7.62x25. Might want to give them a look. www.pennbullets.com

 

[goon]

My dad reloads for his CZ-52. It is the only way he has been able to get hollowpoint bullets.
He uses Hornady 90 grain (.308) XTP HP bullets.
The part number on them is 31000.
Hope that helps.

Also, just for the record, avoid this stuff that comes in a red plastic box called "new generation ammunition". My dad used it and it was terribly inconsistent. He pulled the bullets to reload what he had left with HP bullets and found that some were crimped very loose and others were crimped incredibly tight. He read about it blowing up guns and that is why he pulled it and reloaded it.