Primers for 7.62x39

[entropy]

I am about to start loading 7.62x39mm, as I lucked into a good supply of Lapua brass. Wouldn't you know it, right when I think about doing it, I can't find any military primers, (CCI 34's specifically.) I don't want to use regular CCI 200 or 250 Magnums unless I hear others have done so without any doubling or machine gunning. Midway lists them as Out, no backorders, which usually means a long wait, or eventual drop from inventory.
Is there any other brand of military primers available, or somewhere where CCI 34's are, or will certain brands of regular or Magnum primers be better than others?

 

[steve4102]

What rifle are you loading for that you feel the need for the military primers? I use Fed 210 and 210M in my Ruger Mini-30 without ant problems.

Anyhow if you need the #34's here is the place to get them.
http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

 

[armoredman]

I use CCI-200s with the Yugo SKS with no problem. Of course, I get some looks, using handloads in an SKS!

 

[R.W.Dale]

When shooting reloads you could remove the gas piston and use the rifle as a straight pull bolt action. Then you can use whatever primer you wish and not have to chase your brass all over the northern plains area.

 

[rbernie]

CCI 200 and Remington primers are fairly hard and have never doubled in my AKs, SKSs, or ARs.

Just be sure to pull the firing pin out of the SKS and clean it shiny.

 

[entropy]

When shooting reloads you could remove the gas piston and use the rifle as a straight pull bolt action. Then you can use whatever primer you wish and not have to chase your brass all over the northern plains area.

Rather impractical with an AK, and totally defeats the purpose of an SKS or AK.

Just be sure to pull the firing pin out of the SKS and clean it shiny.

Again, rather impractical with the AK. (Even though I'm a gunsmith, it doesn't mean I want to work on my own guns all the time-that's why I own a AK in the first place!) Of course I have already done so with the SKS's.


I'm more concerned with the AK doubling, so don't go telling me, 'just use the reloads in the SKS's.' Defeats the purpose. If I have ammo, and several different guns that use it, it needs to be useable in all of them, if for simplicity's sake if nothing else. I don't want to have to, nor should I have to keep separate ammo for different rifles of the same caliber. Maybe if I add an AR to my NEF .223, as the twist rates are vastly different, and thus dictates bullet weights. But my 7.62x39 reloads should be able to be useable in either SKS or my AK.

Anybody used CCI 250 Magnum primers? I have about 1300 left from @ 2000 my Dad gave me with the press.

Anyhoo, thanks for all the replies; good to hear CCI 200's have been used with success. I'll have to check out Powder Valley also.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Rather impractical with an AK, and totally defeats the purpose of an SKS or AK.

So does chasing down your precious brass every 4 or 5 rds when shooting reloads through one

 

[K3]

I can't find any military primers, (CCI 34's specifically.

Powder Valley has them. Just ordered 2K myself.

 

[entropy]

So does chasing down your precious brass every 4 or 5 rds when shooting reloads through one

Makes CQB and transition drills hard to do. Besides, where I shoot I usually don't have to worry about finding my brass; nice large flat area, and when we remember to mow before shooting, finding brass is not an issue.

The brass was free anyway; I'm not going to spend a half hour on my knees to find one case. Nor am I going to disable my rifles to save brass. Thanks for the suggestion, though.


Powder Valley it is, then!

 

[strat81]

I also use CCI 200 in an AK (WASR) with no problems. I just make sure to clean and lube my bolt regularly. As always, just be sure you seat the primer below the base of the case. A quick touch with a finger should reveal yay or nay.

 

[armoredman]

I chase brass sometimes, but that's OK, part of the fun for me, then I find more brass. I can leave with more than I came with. The SKS has been totally reliable with anything I have fed it.