7.62x39 bullet diameters

[shovel66]

I haven't started loading for 7.62x39 yet, but am starting to pick up stuff little by little. I believe the bullet diameters to be a little bigger (.312") on the AK round than on the 7.62NATO round (.308"). Since I already load for .308 and have plenty of 147gr M80 Ball bullets, it would be convenient if these were able to be used for 7.62x54 also.
For those of you who reload 7.62x39, what bullets are you using for cheap, high volume target shooting and plinking? If you don't cast them yourselves, where are you purchasing them?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Comrade Mike]

.311 or .310.

I use Hornady's offerings when they're around.

 

[armoredman]

Hornady .310 123 grain spire points from MidwayUSA. Also Berry's makes a plated .311 125 grain bullet that is pretty sweet.
Mostly I use my own cast bullets in this caliber, sized to .311.

 

[tyeo098]

Cheap, high volume plinking?
Lee C312-155.

A 308 jacketed bullet will work in any AK round, provided you use the 308 expander when sizing.
Sure, you wont get 'excellent' accuracy, but were you planning on it with an AK clone anyways?

 

[HOWARD J]

I use Hornady .308 or .310 in my Ruger mini-30--.310 most accurate
I use Russian or Chinese 7.62 X 39 ammo for my AK & SkS's

 

[Gadawg88]

Hornady 123 gn .310 fmj and Z-max and V-max. Z-max and V-max are the same bullet, just one has a green polymer tip and the other is red. Midsouth has the Z-max in stock right now. Availability of suitable x39 bullets can be real spotty so I would suggest you stock up once you find some you like. Good luck.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...310_Diameter_123_Grain_Zombie_Z-Max_500_Count

 

[Walkalong]

My 300 BLK barrel (Make sure the neck OD is OK.) loves those .310 Z-Max bullets. They should shoot well in an AK, and they are reasonably priced for a "premium" bullet.

 

[LAGS]

The .308 bullets shoot like crap out of all but one of my Mosin Nagants, and it has a .310 barrel.
One other has a .310 barrel but doesn't like the .308 bullets, and all the other MN's are .311 to .316 bores.
But give the .308 bullets a go in your 7.62x54 and see if they will give you the accuracy you like.
Some of My M N's do like the 123 gr .310 AK bullets and can group regularly under 1" at 100 yards with a scope

 

[shovel66]

Thank you all for your thoughts and tips. Before I started looking, I just thought that all 7.62 rounds used the same diameter bullets. Thanks for clearing that up for me and heading me in the right direction.

 

[poco loco]

keep in mind that for the x39 round

it depends on the rifle kinda like all of them but the x39 is an oddball...from my understanding, the Mini 30 Ruger is actually a 308 bore but handles the 310 surplus ammo fine...so loading for an AK or SKS .310+ for a Mini, .308 will probably work wonderfully...

Ed Harris' 155g Lee mold for the x39 works well in all my 30 calibers and the Lee 312-185-1r 303 bullet handles most of the heavier rounds well also.
I've used it in everything from 308 to 7.65 Argentine to 30-06 subsonic and regular...my buddy loads it for his Mosins with good success...