Want to start reloading for 7.62x39

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Katitmail

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Yes, I know what everyone says :) Reading Lyman 49 manual cartridge specs: "Most semi-automatics chambered for this cartridge are doing pretty well if the shooter achieves three inch group at 100 yards"

My SKS was throwing brass hard and far and I wouldn't like to reload for it. My AK47 same way. So I was shooting cheapest Wolf, etc ammo with satisfaction. Now I'm not happy anymore since I bought CZ 527 bolt carbine chambered in 7.62x39.

This thing shoots <3 inch with Wolf HP, with Herters FMJ holes touch, but I have 1-2 flyers every 5 shot group making those groups ~1.5-2 inch. Not bad, right? And this carbine saves brass..

I decided I want to get best out of it with my reloads and possible glass beading. I started to buy some brass-cased ammo to accumulate some brass. But now I have bunch of questions..

I have Dillon 650 that makes pistol ammo in a hurry. I've been loading for pistols only, straight wall cases. How would you go if you wanted to start loading for rifle?

1. Should I get dies and caliber conversion kit and use 650? Or should I go single stage way? If I'm comfortable with 650, is there any reason why I should go single stage?

2. What brand dies do you suggest? I know they all work, but I want decent ones. If I go with 650 - I may do 3 die set with separate (4th) station for expander/powder

3. What BULLET SIZE should I get? CZ was designed to shoot cheap steel ammo. I know there is 2 sizes of a bullet, which one I should use? Any good bullets suggestion? Accurate plinking and accurate hunting is what I'm looking for.

4. What powder should I use? I only have pistol powder and I don't wan't to try different ones. Is there specific decent powder that will work? H335 listed as preferred by Lyman.

Any other stuff I should get that will be different from pistol reloading? Do I need to trim necks? How many times I can use brass? Do I need to size it every time?

Any suggestions/advice welcome. I want to get most accurate round possible.
 
Lots of good questions, most are questions of personal preference . So I'll answer the easy ones. Bullets, 7.62x39 is .311 not .308, same size as the .303. As a hand loader you get to play with all of them! Sure, use the progressive-you're used to it. Anything different? Yes! You get to learn about lube! If you are using the bolt gun only you can get away with neck sizing.
 
I like a turret press,as I like a bit more precision for my CZ 527. I use Lee dies with total enthusiasm. I use a lyman m die and load .313 sized cast bullets, that this gun shoots more accurately than jacketed. It also shoots .308 30-30 bullets. I have used 150 grain hornady round nose and 125 and 150 gr. Nosler Ballistic tips. Of the .311 sizing, they do the same as .310. I use 1680 for 122 to 125 grain bullets, and h-322 for 150 to 166. The cast bullet I use is a mold made by NOE and is their copy of the Lee 2r,which is .314 155 FN. My son killed a nice buck at 175 yards with it last year. Velocity with an moa accuracy was right at 2350fps with H-322.

I size every time, and will tumble as I need too. I have not needed to trim since the initial use. This is a great cast shooting gun. Even if you don't cast, at least know it shoots the 30-30 bullets as fast as a 30-30' and they are superior to the 125's and smaller for deer.
 
Just a quick thought. Its a alot nicer if you get a extra powder measure for rifles. If you go that route remember its over $300 for a new caliber on the xl650 and that buys ALOT of 7.62x39mm. Just saying.
 
For pistol pwders Lyman shows IMR-4227 for jackets & lead, SR-4759 and Unique for lead. I have some Sierra 150 gr. spitzers loaded with 4227 for testing, but haven't been able to get to the range with them. 4227 is my favorite in 300 AAC, which has similar characteristics.
 
Powder measure is ok. I don't mind changing powder bar, do it for 357 mag already. Conversion is $80 + dies. Yes, not cheap. I can get some ammo for the money. But I have no fun! I clearly see that I'm shooting better than ammo. And I don't like it. With ak47 it's not a big deal with open sights, blasting for fun, etc. but 527 is nice. It made me want to load for it :)

Great to know I can try all kind of bullets
 
Nope. Dillon doesn't have dies. I need to pick other brand. I think I can get all I need below $200. Which is about 1k of cheap ammo but it's no fun. Not out of cz.

I really like to load on 650 because I don't have space for other press and no desire to deal with them really. I'm just worrying that 650 will not be rigid enough to produce best ammo possible. Maybe I'm overthinking. X39 is not a huge case...

P.S. $300 dillon caliber conversion is like an urban legend. Nobody forces you to buy stand, powder measure, primer assembly and so on. $77.95 for kit (some can be combined like in my case 9mm Luger + 9x18mak), $27.95 toolhead, $11.35 powder die, and your set of dies. Using lee dies - it's right around $150
 
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It's not a legend at all. I have several of them and they indeed cost that much. You are correct you don't have to buy the whole shebang,but it sure is nice to have. As to how good the xl650 will load, it will load better than most people can shoot (at least with an accurate caliber). I suggested the Dillion dies because they make carbide dies for some rifle caliber and that is VERY nice and worth it. Best of luck.
 
Just FYI- from cz site

Built to CIP specifications, our 7.62×39 chambers are ideal for shooting steel-cased surplus ammo. Designed to shoot .311 bullets, some American brass ammo may not perform as well as the imported steel-cased variety because of SAAMI brass dimensions and varying bullet diameters.
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Yes, you can spend money for sure. I personally don't care about extras simply because I don't have bench space for all that. I said "legend" because some people throw this number to scare potential dillon press buyer...

I too really like their dies, I have 2 sets for pistol and they are nice. For 7.62 I will have to look for alternatives. I lube even pistol brass, it makes for much smoother operation.

Why with bolt action I can do neck sizing only? I don't plan to shoot loaded ammo out of ak, only fro rifle, it's about accuracy and ability to find my brass :)
 
First I have no idea why someone would try and scare people away from the finest reloading machines on the market (Dillon). Second the Carbide dies still require lube just less of it and smoother in all calibers. Third the neck sizing only helps with PRS style rifles (it also sometimes cause problems). I'm not trying to poke fun of you with this comment so take it for what it's worth. Neck sizing won't help you with a cartridge that is as inherently inaccurate as 7.62x39. Instead you will get a lot of headache with no realized benefits. I honestly don't know the potential of 7.62x39 in a bolt gun. I do know they are not allowed on my clubs 600yd firing line because they can't be counted on to impact the berm (that may be because of AK/SKS I don't know).
 
As for powders Accurate 1680 and H-4198 work very well in my SKS.
Whoops:eek: thanks Gadawg88.
 
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with a cartridge that is as inherently inaccurate as 7.62x39. Instead you will get a lot of headache with no realized benefits. I honestly don't know the potential of 7.62x39 in a bolt gun. I do know they are not allowed on my clubs 600yd firing line because they can't be counted on to impact the berm (that may be because of AK/SKS I don't know).
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That's a funny part. At 100 cz 527 shoots sub moa, read couple posts above. And it makes for nice hunting gun up to 200 yards or so. That's why I got interested in reloading for it :) it is definitely not sks/ak or whatever mil surplus variant accuracy...

It will make for a nice conversation piece if I make it shoot accurately with my loads.
 
The CZ 527 carbine seems really cool, I would like one chambered in the 30 Rem. AR, or maybe Mossberg could do it in there MVP?
 
I believe joneb meant to write H-4198, which is the powder I use for x39. I have read from quite a few people that AA1680 is also a very good powder for the round, perhaps the best. It was not available at the time I got started with the round or I probably would have gone with it. For accurate target work, check out the Hornady Vmax: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/42...m-310-diameter-123-grain-flat-base-box-of-100
 
My Ruger 77 in 7.62 x 39 shoots half moa. It is most definitely worth reloading for. I am sure the CZ will shoot at least moa and probably better. I prefer to stay with single stage equipment for accuracy. Progressive eqpt is better for volume where accuracy is not so critical. I am using Barnes TSX 123 gr .310" bullets. Half moa and extremely devestating on deer and pigs
 
Katitmail said:
Why with bolt action I can do neck sizing only? I don't plan to shoot loaded ammo out of ak, only fro rifle, it's about accuracy and ability to find my brass :)
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With full length resizing you resize the whole case back to SAAMI specs so it can be loaded into any gun of that caliber.

With neck sizing only, you don't resize the case which has been fire formed to your gun's chamber already. It went in and came out already so you know it will fit. Neck sizing only allows the brass to hold the bullet and no more, extending the life of your brass.

That being said, I neck size only for my bolt guns. The brass stays with that gun, and gets reloaded for that gun because they won't fit anything else.

For semi's, full length sizing is a must to ensure that they feed reliably.
 
This is the only gun I will use reloads with and it's bolt action. However, I can't seem to find any "neck" size dies. Looks like nobody makes them.
 
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