7.62x39 accuracy load

[frankge]

I shot a 3 gun with my ar-15 chambered in 7.62x39 and had a lot of fun this weekend. Normally I run Wolf MC or such in it because at CQB range its no problem. Well one stage was at 200yd with 4 targets hitting them from 4 positions. I load V-MAX bullets in brass cases with AA1680 and they did very well - for having a red dot with a 3x magnifier. Before you'all get started I appreciate a 5.56 with a scope.

Of course with the cost of 7.62 brass I went brass monkeying right away. I dont mind losing some brass. I was thinking about the Hornady produced ammo - all focus is on the "stopping power" but what about accuracy. I find the V-MAX quite accurate.

My question is if I pulled the steel case bullet and powder and substituted AA1680 and the VMAX how much more accurate at 200yds... or is a case a very big function in the equation? Steel cases might not seal as well as brass but how much a factor is that in accuracy?

 

[GIJOEL]

I was thinking about that the other day. I have noticed that the powder charges are very in consistant and the bullets are of rather poor quality with the cheapo steel caed ammo. My concern with using steel cases is 1- there consistancy and volume (less volume = higher pressures) 2- wear and tear on dies (steel on steel?). I would guess that steel cases CAN be as accurate as brass, but is steel cased ammo made as well?

 

[frankge]

I would not be re-sizing the case, just using my Lee FCD which crimps at the neck. I've done this a few times and seems to work OK. I had some steel bullets that got rammed into the case a little, I pulled them and resat the bullet and used the FCD.

Note - I am not resizing or priming at all. Just being a squirrel with my brass (it's so pretty)

 

[res45]

frankge I've reloaded X39 for a number of years and have had great success improving the accuracy in both my Yugo and Chinese SKS rifle. GIJOEL is right about everything about the Russian X39 ammo is inconsistent,powder charge,bullet weight,seating depth just to name a few.

As far as Russian ammo goes Golden Tiger seem to preform better in both my rifles accuracy wise than any other brands,Brown Bear is second and Wolf any variety was dead last.

As far as resizing the steel case it want bother you dies any your basically just resizing the case neck with your expander ball to straighten it out and get it ready to accept the new bullet,you can put a little Imperial Sizing Wax around the case neck if you have any concerns.

As far as the factory powder goes try reusing it at some point,after you have pulled the bullets weigh a random sample of cases and write down the powder charge from each,when your ready to recharge the case average out the charges so that they all contain the same charge which is normally a few tenths below the highest charge you measured.


I have a friend that reloads berdan primed steel case ammo for his AK all the time with cast bullet loads I do as well with brass boxer primed cases,I can't seem to get my hands on any of the berdan primes when they make there rear appearance ever so often. I shoot all the Hornady bullet in 123 gr. SP,FMj and V-MAX,Sierra 125 and 150 gr. SP 160 gr. Lee cast bullets as well as surplus 147 and 185 gr. Bulgarian bullets.

Another thing you can try as well is to weigh your loaded Russian ammo and segregate it by weight,you may find in your particular rifle that you get less fliers when shooting rds. of similar weight.

Cabela's put's there MFS X39 FMJ ammo on sale on occasion it's good reloadable brass,Widener's carries Prvi Partizan brass case ammo for the X39 that's reloadable as well as the GT Russian ammo. Good luck and good shooting.

 

[frankge]

thanx for the info. I have and AL but the rifle I am talking about is a spikes ar-15 with a Double-Star 7.62x39 barrel. I have a boatload of brass - im good there. I was wondering what the results were if I replaced the powder and the bullet - would it be worth it just for the 100-200yd targets.

 

[res45]

Here is a post that might help,post #12 will be more relevant to your interest. It's an old post and the links no long work on post #12.

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=30961.0