I've been reloading 9mm, .45ACP, & 44mag for about 6 months now and will be getting an SKS next week. Is there any pitfalls to look out for in loading this rifle cartridge? I have a 550B and RCBS 7.62x39mm dies. Is case lube required for this cartridge and is it necessary to trim the brass? I don't use lube or trim my pistol cases, just tumble and go. Thanks.
Reloading for 7.62x39mm question
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All bottle neck rifle cartridges need to be lubed before Full Length sizing. Rifle brass must be trimmed if it get above specs. The trim to length is usually .010 less than max length.
The 7.62x39 can be loaded with .308, .310 or .311. bullets. Make sure you use the correct expander button for bullet choice.
The 7.62x39 can be loaded with .308, .310 or .311. bullets. Make sure you use the correct expander button for bullet choice.
highlander 5
Member
the biggest pitfall finding your empty cases.
armoredman
Member
The Winchester brass I am using for my 7.62x39mm reloads all came dented and over long, so all needed to be trimmed. The Lee case trimmer is a good was to do it cheap, but get the trimmer with the large wooden ball...
Then some case lube, either the One Shot, or traditional.
With the ComBloc guns, .310 diameter bullets. They are usually labled 7.62x39mm, but in the 30 caliber section. I have been told some American rifles in this caliber are actually set up for .308 stuff, but not the commie guns.
You have to love reloading to load for an SKS...not a very accurate rifle, and the loaded ammo is quite cheap. I happen to love reloading.
Then some case lube, either the One Shot, or traditional.
With the ComBloc guns, .310 diameter bullets. They are usually labled 7.62x39mm, but in the 30 caliber section. I have been told some American rifles in this caliber are actually set up for .308 stuff, but not the commie guns.
You have to love reloading to load for an SKS...not a very accurate rifle, and the loaded ammo is quite cheap. I happen to love reloading.
rbernie
Contributing Member
And make sure that you choose the correct bullet for your rifle. Ruger Mini30s will have a tapered .311-to-.308 bore that works bets with .308 bullets. Most ComBlok weapons (such as your SKS) will have a .310-.311 bore that work best with true .311 bullets.
Remington 7.62x39 brass has small primer pockets. Everbody else's 7.62x39 brass uses large primers.
AA1680 is a top powder for 7.62x39, although I prefer H4198.
As has been noted, you will need to lube the cases to size them, trim them, and then remove the lube in some fashion. (I usually re-tumble rifle brass sized on a single-stage to remove the lube.) Once nice aspect of 7.62x39 is that because it's a relatively moderate pressure cartridge (insofar as rifle cartridges go) it doesn't need trimming but every so often and overall brass life is quite good. I can usually get more than 20 reloads per case, and don't have to trim but twice in that time.
highlander 5
Member
or you could get a bolt action like I did.Remington imports a Mauser in 7.62x39
mine is a Ruger M77 MKII
mine is a Ruger M77 MKII
Shoney
Member
Any suggestions as to where reasonably priced 7.62X39 brass and bullets can be obtained?
FieroCDSP
Member
There's a thought. Just put the SKS selector into bolt-action mode. Not as much fun, but you keep your brass. Probably more accurate too.
I loaded my first batch of 7.62x39mm tonight, 123gr Hornady .310, 14.4gr of 2400. I'll try some H4198 and AA1680 next week. I can load .308 diameter bullets as well, right? I have a Yugo 59/66 and I'm not sure what diameter is best for that rifle. I shot a 100rd of Winchester last weekend and seemed fine. nice groups a 50yrds.
Matt Dillon
Member
Regarding primers, CCI makes primers specifically for semiautomatic military rifles, as these CCI primers are made of harder material. Due to the firing pin mechanism of the SKS, many have experienced slam-fires, which essentially causes the rifle to fire until it is empty. I have heard of one death because of this.
This is exacerbated if softer primers are used, therefore, for all of my 7.62X39 I use either CCI #41 (small rifle primer) or CCI # 34(large rifle primer) (depending on the manufacture of the case you are using) as these primers are hardened and slam-fires are much less likely.
By the way, Hornady makes a fantastic 123 grain ballistic tip bullet, the VMAX # 3142. We use these for deer hunting and they really fly well!
I like Alliant Reloder 7 for my 7.62x39 loads.
This is exacerbated if softer primers are used, therefore, for all of my 7.62X39 I use either CCI #41 (small rifle primer) or CCI # 34(large rifle primer) (depending on the manufacture of the case you are using) as these primers are hardened and slam-fires are much less likely.
By the way, Hornady makes a fantastic 123 grain ballistic tip bullet, the VMAX # 3142. We use these for deer hunting and they really fly well!
I like Alliant Reloder 7 for my 7.62x39 loads.
7.62x39 reload update
I loaded up some 123gr Hornady FMJ over 24gr of A1680 and a few .308 150gr Sierra FMJ over 21gr A1680. The 24gr shot just fine, cycled the action just fine. The .308 + 21gr worked most of the time, but I got 2 stove pipes jambs in 10rds. Might need to increase the charge on that on a little. The groups at 50yrds were 1-2" for 5 shots. Not too bad for this rifle with a red dot.
I loaded up some 123gr Hornady FMJ over 24gr of A1680 and a few .308 150gr Sierra FMJ over 21gr A1680. The 24gr shot just fine, cycled the action just fine. The .308 + 21gr worked most of the time, but I got 2 stove pipes jambs in 10rds. Might need to increase the charge on that on a little. The groups at 50yrds were 1-2" for 5 shots. Not too bad for this rifle with a red dot.
Oohrah
Member
I've used the Reloader 7. Seems a tetch lighter in recoil,and
functioned every time. Pretty clean burning. May be just a bit
tighter groups!
functioned every time. Pretty clean burning. May be just a bit
tighter groups!
50,000 PSI isn't exactly moderate pressure!!!!
Winchesters 296 ball powder is another powder that works well in this caliber. I used it with Speers .308 caliber 110 grain Varminter hollow point bullet useing 20 grains of WW296. Because of the blunt nose it won't feed properly so has to be fed singlely into the chamber.
I also use AA1680 as well as IMR4198.
DWARREN123
Member
Need to know bore size so you order coorect bullet diameter for accuraccy.
armoredman
Member
Use the Lee Factory Crimp Die, will eliminate any questions on that part. 1680 IS an excellent powder, that's what I use.
1-2 at 50 yards is pretty good with an SKS, well done.
I usde the CCI milspec primers, regular large rifle primers, and magnum large rifle primers, as well as milspec small rifle for the oddball 7.62x39mm cases that take the other size, , and I havehad no slam fire issues with either Yugo SKS. I also cleaned the heck out of the firing pin channels when I got them, and keep them clean.
Enjoy! BTW, a brass catcher, or just a wireframe with a pillow case on it, might be a good idea. My Yugo fling's 'em LONG ways...
1-2 at 50 yards is pretty good with an SKS, well done.
I usde the CCI milspec primers, regular large rifle primers, and magnum large rifle primers, as well as milspec small rifle for the oddball 7.62x39mm cases that take the other size,
, and I havehad no slam fire issues with either Yugo SKS. I also cleaned the heck out of the firing pin channels when I got them, and keep them clean.Enjoy! BTW, a brass catcher, or just a wireframe with a pillow case on it, might be a good idea. My Yugo fling's 'em LONG ways...
Jibjab, I have a Redding crimp die, I think it is a taper crimp. I replaced my firing pin with a Murry's firing pin. It has a return spring that keeps the firing pin inside the bolt. Virtually eliminates the chance of slam fires.
Did some range tests today and the best rounds for my Yugo Hornady 125gr .310 diameter over 24gr A1680, Hornady 150gr .308 diameter over 22.5gr 1680 or Sierra 150gr .308diameter over 22.5gr 1680. I bought some Barry's plated 7.62 bullets and the accuracy was very bad. They have a rounded nose and are a shorter bullet. I think I might be able to seat the bullet higher in the case which may help the accuracy a bit, but I doubt they will reach the level of Hornady bullets. From the range data below, my reloaded .310 diameter bullets are about equal to factory Winchester loads. The .308 diameter bullets are slightly less accurate through this rifle, but still not bad at all.
Here is a little range data (50yrds bench rest, 5 shots):
Hornady 125gr .310 diameter over 24gr A1680 = 1.21" ave radius
Hornady 150gr .308 diameter over 22.5gr 1680 = 1.64" ave radius
Sierra 150gr .308diameter over 22.5gr 1680 = 1.81" ave radius
Winchester 125gr 7.62x39 factory = 1.13" ave radius
Did some range tests today and the best rounds for my Yugo Hornady 125gr .310 diameter over 24gr A1680, Hornady 150gr .308 diameter over 22.5gr 1680 or Sierra 150gr .308diameter over 22.5gr 1680. I bought some Barry's plated 7.62 bullets and the accuracy was very bad. They have a rounded nose and are a shorter bullet. I think I might be able to seat the bullet higher in the case which may help the accuracy a bit, but I doubt they will reach the level of Hornady bullets. From the range data below, my reloaded .310 diameter bullets are about equal to factory Winchester loads. The .308 diameter bullets are slightly less accurate through this rifle, but still not bad at all.
Here is a little range data (50yrds bench rest, 5 shots):
Hornady 125gr .310 diameter over 24gr A1680 = 1.21" ave radius
Hornady 150gr .308 diameter over 22.5gr 1680 = 1.64" ave radius
Sierra 150gr .308diameter over 22.5gr 1680 = 1.81" ave radius
Winchester 125gr 7.62x39 factory = 1.13" ave radius
CORRECTION
I previously wrote the 7.62x39mm was 50,000 PSI...it is in fact 50,000 CUP SAAMI avg max pressure which is exactly the same as the .30-06, .222 Rem Mag and others so this in no way is a moderate pressure cartridge!!!!
Be careful!!!!!
I previously wrote the 7.62x39mm was 50,000 PSI...it is in fact 50,000 CUP SAAMI avg max pressure which is exactly the same as the .30-06, .222 Rem Mag and others so this in no way is a moderate pressure cartridge!!!!
Be careful!!!!!
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