I loaded up some reduced loads today for the 7.62x39mm. Although IMO the x39 doesn't need reduced loads in the first place, I happen to know a young lady who finds the recoil of an SKS or AK to be too much. Since she is new to shooting I am trying to give her all the help I can.
After she expended my meager supply of light training ammo (I have been reliably informed that it was east german 60 grain ammo), I needed a plan.
I loaded some 90 grain FMJ's that were originally pulled from 7.62x25 ammo over 23.5 grains of Reloader 7. The resulting round was powerful enough to work the action and shot clear through over 14" of soft wood in my informal test that I ran before loading a whole bunch of them. The only problem I encountered was that although they would cycle the action and fed fine from the mag, they didn't survive the trip intact. Spilled powder and loose bullets don't amuse me so they area single shot only proposition for the time being. FYI, I was using a .308 expander in my dies so I don't think that is the problem here. They don't have a cannelure so I couldn't crimp. That would have probaby helped.
They did work as needed though. She shot about half of them (everyone else had to take a turn with "those neat handloads" too) and wasn't bothered by the very mild recoil of them.
However, in spite of their popularity, improvements are needed.
Does anyone know where I can find 90 grain .308/.309 or .311 bullets that have a crimp cannelure? I would prefer a FMJ variety so that I don't have to worry about feed problems and so that I don't have lead and lube fouling up my gas system. If not that, am I going to have to go to 100 or 110 grain to get what I need? What do you guys suggest?
A perfect bore fit would be cool, but they are really just a short range proposition anyhow. Breaking clay pigeons at 25 yards with them was easy enough and that is about all I wanted from them so .308 would be close enough.
Any thoughts?
After she expended my meager supply of light training ammo (I have been reliably informed that it was east german 60 grain ammo), I needed a plan.
I loaded some 90 grain FMJ's that were originally pulled from 7.62x25 ammo over 23.5 grains of Reloader 7. The resulting round was powerful enough to work the action and shot clear through over 14" of soft wood in my informal test that I ran before loading a whole bunch of them. The only problem I encountered was that although they would cycle the action and fed fine from the mag, they didn't survive the trip intact. Spilled powder and loose bullets don't amuse me so they area single shot only proposition for the time being. FYI, I was using a .308 expander in my dies so I don't think that is the problem here. They don't have a cannelure so I couldn't crimp. That would have probaby helped.
They did work as needed though. She shot about half of them (everyone else had to take a turn with "those neat handloads" too) and wasn't bothered by the very mild recoil of them.
However, in spite of their popularity, improvements are needed.
Does anyone know where I can find 90 grain .308/.309 or .311 bullets that have a crimp cannelure? I would prefer a FMJ variety so that I don't have to worry about feed problems and so that I don't have lead and lube fouling up my gas system. If not that, am I going to have to go to 100 or 110 grain to get what I need? What do you guys suggest?
A perfect bore fit would be cool, but they are really just a short range proposition anyhow. Breaking clay pigeons at 25 yards with them was easy enough and that is about all I wanted from them so .308 would be close enough.
Any thoughts?