7.62X39 Bullet Problem

[Coltdriver]

I have a 7.62X39 bolt rifle. Zastava.

I had some Lapua 7.62x39 ammo.

Took the rifle out to the range yesterday and could not get anything better than a 6 inch general placement of the bullet. Best was 4 inches and they were all over with an occasional flyer that would be way out.

I had ordered some Hornady 7.62 bullets. Mic'd em when I got em. They are all .308. ***?

I mic'd the Lapua and they are all .308. Really surprised me! This is Lapua ammo I bought over 20 years ago!

I ordered some 7.62 pulled bullets, most of them mic out at .308 with a few, if twirled, going to .310.

So I slugged the barrel of my rifle. Sure enough, .310 at the barrel. Well under .308 at top of the lands but that means that there is no way a .308 seals up in the barrel.

Does anyone know of any bullet maker who actually delivers a .310 bullet?? I think my little bolt rifle would make a great deer rifle if I can get a load working.

But I have no faith in ever getting a .308 bullet to shoot worth a hoot from it.

Your experience welcome!!

 

[Reefinmike]

https://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=278|281|1079|1109

did you order .308 or .310 bullets?

If you ordered .310 and got 308, i'd contact hornady...

 

[notaglockfanboy]

Lots of options out there. http://www.midwayusa.com/find?userSearchQuery=.311+bullets This should help you.

 

[Gadawg88]

I have the Hornady 7.62x39 FMJ, V-Max and Z-Max bullets on my shelf and they each measure .310. Very consistent in my experience.

 

[kcofohio]

What is the bullets' product #, and what does Hornady show that the diameter of that bullet should be at? And did the place you ordered them from list the correct diameter?

http://www.hornady.com/store/searchammo.php?mode=search&main_cat=250&categoryid[]=259&categoryid[]=395&categoryid[]=&x=43&y=6

BTW, out of curiosity, what bullet weights are you using?

 

[Coltdriver]

Well I appreciate the question even though it sounds like a customer service rep asking the customer if the computer is plugged in.

I have a box of Hornady SST marked 7.62X39, .310"., 123 grain, SST, Qtu 100, #3142. They mic out at .308. I have sampled a dozen of them and they are all spot on at .308.

The pulled bullets I ordered represented as 7.62x39 bullets all mic'd out much smaller than 310

So here is my question.

Does anyone know of a bullet that is delivered at .310? Have you used them? Have you mic'd them out yourself or do you just trust the box?

I want the next bullet I get to actually mic out at .310. Ideally it would be a hunting type ~125 grain.

Thanks in advance for your first hand experience! I am sure I can get this rifle to shoot if I can just find a bullet that fills the barrel!

 

[kcofohio]

I'd contact Hornady, as Reefinmike recommended.

 

[Coltdriver]

Dropped Hornady a note.

In the meantime if you know of a .310 bullet let me know!

 

[Walkalong]

The 7.62 123 Gr Z Max bullets I have measure .310. I have bought two different boxes of 500 and both batches measure .310. I don't know if it would be suitable for deer hunting.

.300 BLK with a Hornady 123 Gr Z-Max (.310) (Make sure you have enough neck clearance if used in 300 BLK)

 

[rcmodel]

Maybe you need to check you measuring device for accuracy.

In my experience, if Hornady, Sierra, or Speer says a box of bullets is what it says it is on the box?

It is!

rc

 

[res45]

I have the Hornady 123 gr. FMJ,SP and V-MAX bullets designed for the 7.62 x 39 and all measure .310"

 

[Gadawg88]

See post #4

 

[kcofohio]

I agree with rcmodel. You need to verify your micrometer. I'm assuming you're using a micrometer, did it come with a certified standard to check your calibration of the instrument? You may have a barrel that actually slugs at .312". That is that I also assume you're measuring the bullets and bore slug with the same micrometer.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14848-c34-g8-b0-p0-762_x_39_311_123_gr_SP___1000_ct.aspx

Anywho, here is a link for some plated Berry's @ 123 gr. that they say measure at .311".

 

[Coltdriver]

I checked in on two different micrometers. Same result. They are .308.

I dropped a note to Hornady yesterday. They answered today and confirmed that the box I got should indeed be .310. They asked for the lot number.

That is a relief to me as the barrel slugs out at .310 and it has no accuracy with the .308 bullets.

So I will order another set later.

Just about everyone is out of .310 dia bullets in the ~25 grain range.

I think the z max would be a bit too explosive for deer. A soft point hot core or these SST's are supposed to be pretty good.

 

[Ireload2]

Did you check your micrometer to see if it goes to exactly zero when closed?

That is how you tell it is properly set.

 

[kcofohio]

Did you check your micrometer to see if it goes to exactly zero when closed?

That is how you tell it is properly set.

Yes, that may tell that zero is zero. But if the pitch is even off just by .00005", by the time it makes the 18 rev. to a 45 cal., it will be off by almost .001". Any more off and one is out of the ballpark.

That is why, when it is critical, a certified standard(s) is needed to insure repeatability.

 

[armoredman]

I've been reloading 7.62x39mm for a few years now, and the Hornaday 123 grain Spire Points are a favorite of mine. They have always been .310. I think you got a bad batch of bullets.
Nowadays I cast my own, like the NOE 129 grain .314 sized down to .311.



Older pic...



I use the CZ 527M - how do you like the little Zavasta? I've heard good things about it.

 

[vongh]

I just bought some 7.62X39 rcbs dies myself. Im also curious to see if anybody has use the bullets linked in post 13. I also checked the extreme bullets website and they have advertised 123gr flat points plated at .312 diameter. I'll be watching this thread with interest. Those cast bullets look awesome Armored man.

 

[chris in va]

Armoredman has to show off his pretty cast bullets as usual.

My Lee 155's aren't near as pretty but are fun plinkers. My CZ doesn't wear a scope so I have no idea of their true accuracy.

 

[armoredman]

The Lee 155s work well in my CZ as well, making Thugly dance 4 for 5 usually at 100 yards, standing. Good slug. Of course, I cheated - I replaced the fixed factory rear sight with a Marbles adjustable silver soldered to a base by an excellent gunsmith. I have it set that holding the front at the bottom of the sight notch is dead on for cast loads at 100 yards, and holding at the normal notch is dead on my my jacketed and plated loads. Weird, but works.