SSN Vet
Member
O.K. let's just start by saying, I don't care if I save money loading 7.62x39
I've been working up loads for 124gr FMJ from Goldenwest w/ decent results....these bullets mic at .311
I've also been casting WDWW w/ the .312-155 Lee mold and have sized them to .311 as well as shot them as molded at .312 +/-. Still have a ways to go working up this load and plan on slugging my barrel with 12 ga. 00 buck pellots tonight. Based on my previous attempts to slug the barrel with my cast bullets, I have reason to believe that the barrel groove dia. is over .312 at the muzzle.
So.....
I bought a box of Hornady .312 dia. 155 gr. SP bullets the other day.....kinda spacing it....thinking .312 lead works, so .312 jacketed should be just fine ... forgeting of course that it takes more pressure to "cram" the jacketed bullet through the rifling.
So, my question is....should I
1. use normal 7.62x39 load data and not worry about it.
2. back off the published 7.62x39 loads to allow for possible higher pressure
3. push them through my Lee .311 sizer die with a smidge of Imperial wax.
4. buy a Lee Enfield
5. put them on the back shelf and forget about them.
and
How much does the standard groove diameter for a given calibre rifle run over the jacketed bullet diameter for it's assoicated cartridge?
I ask because when I get a reliable slug at both ends of the barrel, I'll have another data point to throw at the decision.
I've been working up loads for 124gr FMJ from Goldenwest w/ decent results....these bullets mic at .311
I've also been casting WDWW w/ the .312-155 Lee mold and have sized them to .311 as well as shot them as molded at .312 +/-. Still have a ways to go working up this load and plan on slugging my barrel with 12 ga. 00 buck pellots tonight. Based on my previous attempts to slug the barrel with my cast bullets, I have reason to believe that the barrel groove dia. is over .312 at the muzzle.
So.....
I bought a box of Hornady .312 dia. 155 gr. SP bullets the other day.....kinda spacing it....thinking .312 lead works, so .312 jacketed should be just fine ... forgeting of course that it takes more pressure to "cram" the jacketed bullet through the rifling.
So, my question is....should I
1. use normal 7.62x39 load data and not worry about it.
2. back off the published 7.62x39 loads to allow for possible higher pressure
3. push them through my Lee .311 sizer die with a smidge of Imperial wax.
4. buy a Lee Enfield
5. put them on the back shelf and forget about them.
and
How much does the standard groove diameter for a given calibre rifle run over the jacketed bullet diameter for it's assoicated cartridge?
I ask because when I get a reliable slug at both ends of the barrel, I'll have another data point to throw at the decision.