AK gas systems- Cast lead Bullets

[blarby]

Yes ? No ? Maybe so ?

Specifically for an ak-47 style- not a 74, if that matters ? Its actually a VEPR in .308- but all of the components seem to match the 47 in everything I can see except the chambering itself.

Hoping that JC and USSR might be able to weigh in on some sage advice on this one.

Not looking to break any speed barriers- just looking for reasonably priced and reasonably accurate plinking fare- not adverse to gas checks if thats part of the equation !

 

[SSN Vet]

I've put several dozen of my home cast 150 gr bullets (with gas checks) though my converted Saiga with no real problems.

There's a very thin coating of lead (precipitated out of the gas if I understand correctly) on the face of the piston, but that cleans right off.

A 12 ga. bore brush take scare of the gas cylinder.

Haven't noticed any deposits at the gas port.

 

[rcmodel]

You don't seriously think a little leading could stop a Russian designed, slave labor built, conscript solder-proof rifle do you??

Leading from steel jacketed bullet bases is the best lube they ever got in most wars AK-47's fought in.

rc

 

[GLOOB]

Break it down and look at the gas cylinder after the first hundred rounds. If you are getting lead flakes in there and you wait til it seizes, it'll be a lot harder to get apart.

 

[armoredman]

My vz-58 leads up right in the gas port area, but we're going to try some lapping bullets to see if there is a tiny burr right there - it shreds Berry's 125 grain plated bullets, too...
try it and see what happens - I really like the MOE 129 grain bullet in this caliber.

 

[Fatelvis]

Make sure your boolits are 1-2 thousands bigger than your bore, use gas checks, and dont drive them too hard (stay around 2000fps or under) and you wont have any leading problems.

 

[armoredman]

My boolits, ( term stolen from castboolits.gunloads.com, of course. ), are sized .311, use gas checks, and in the 527M, the two loads I chronoed are 1800FPS +. The vz-58 rifle barrel also shreds the Berrys' plated 125 grain bullets, leading me to believe there really is a tiny burr in there somewhere. The 527M loves the Berry's bullet, and excellent slug.

My current 7.62x39mm loads, minus the Berry's 125 grain plated.