Why should I load/reload 7.62x39 ?

[Katitmail]

I reload pistol rounds - mostly for sport and savings.
I just bought old SKS (don't know why), this is my first rifle. I plan to plink with it and hunt deer.

Bought ammo at 26c/round. I don't cast bullets. Just can't tell myself why should I load it. This gun is not super accurate, I can't get cheap brass, for hunting I can get 1-2 boxes to try.

Does anybody reload in this caliber and why?

 

[tyeo098]

Reloading steel is possible, its just not easy or fun.

Russian ammo is cheap for now, brass is not very plentiful, and bullets are few and far between (.311 vs .308).

 

[119er]

I currently own five rifles in x39 and I am an avid reloader but I don't reload this caliber for the same reasons stated in this thread. I stock up on cheap Russian steel cased ammo. I have some SKS's that are accurate, others are so-so. FWIW I have found Golden Tiger to be the best ammo in my SKS's but it is(or was, been a while) lacquered case opposed to the newer polymer coating. I have personally never had a problem with lacquer in my chambers but I don't burn the barrels either. SKS's are very fun and rugged rifles and to me they represent a great value. Even at their elevated prices now.

I know this is an ammo thread but make sure that the firing pin in that SKS is floating freely. Slam fires can occur if it sticks due to cosmoline or other debris. This will cause the gun to fire when the bolt is released. I had a Yugo with excessive FP protrusion and was piercing primers and the pieces were blown into the bolt and around the FP. Luckily it jammed the FP rearward and not forward which would have resulted in a slamfire or 10. Many semi-auto rifles are this way so don't be think that the rifle itself is dangerous. If you have already familiarized yourself with the operation of your SKS and cleaned it thoroughly then disregard.

 

[bfoosh006]

Mexican Match with better performing bullets. Better accuracy is a bonus.

 

[Katitmail]

Yes, it took me some time to clean it really good. I disassembled bolt completely, there was some caked on gunk on a firing pin which wouldn't come out by soaking.

I also disassembled trigger group partially and went through all the tests, changed sear engagement to positive and did mostly safety trigger job.

Will take it to range this saturday. I have some cheap ammo, reloading is fun but it's just doesn't seem to make any sense.

 

[Reefinmike]

Im not sure If tula x39 is boxer primed, but ive been reloading 20 tula steel 45 cases and on reload #8 with no signs of stress. Brass x39 is very rare, If you are wanting to use brass as well as a fmj bullet, Id say just save yourself the hassle and buy it for $5/box at wally or AIM... however midrange loads using steel cases and plated bullets may be fun... that is if the steel cases are boxer primed.

 

[steve4102]

Does anybody reload in this caliber and why?

Yes, I load for the 7.62 x 39.
Why?
I enjoy it.

I can tailor my ammo for my specific needs.

I can build accurate ammo.

I like to hit what I am aiming at. I find little pleasure in firing off cheap ammo just to hear it go "Bang" knowing that I will be lucky to have "Minute-of-Pie Plate" at 50 yards. Especially if I am planing on Hunting with it.

 

[mljdeckard]

I suppose if I had a bolt rifle chambered in that round I might look into it, if I wanted a load more effective than the cheap HP that's available. But for me, that was kind of the point of buying an SKS, was to have a gun that shoots ammo cheap enough I don't have to worry about things like that.

 

[steve4102]

Wouldn't firecrackers make the same noise and accomplish the same as shooting ammo just to hear it?

 

[frankge]

I reload 7.62x39 alot.

I got about 5 thousand cases from brass monkeying and a deal at 10 cents a piece one time. I load AA1680, RL7, and IMR4198

As far as bullets VMAX (not the silly zombie ones), FMJ, 147 Steel core FMJ, SP, PSP, and even the Berrys palted 110s. All Russion is Berdan.

My rifles are an AK-47 and a 7.62x39 AR. Russian steel runs, the Inman surplus was great but no longer available. But I have to tell you its a night and day difference between Russian and my reloads.

It's a hobby, not just cost savings for blasting. I have shot both guns in 3gun and they stood up pretty well - I also felt slightly more macho! lol

 

[Reloadron]

Why should I load/reload 7.62x39?

That is something you have to decide based on your wants and needs I would guess.

I have a single rifle chambered in 7.62X39 and that being an old SKS. I don't bother to load the cartridge and despite having a few thousand rounds of 7.62X39 I really don't shoot that rifle much. I also have a few hundred rounds of the stuff that is brass cased boxer primed. Remington or Winchester, I forget. For me, I seriously doubt I would see a gain in accuracy rolling my own over the steel cased stuff which is still pretty inexpensive. However, if I owned a good bolt action rifle, that was accurate, chambered for the round all bets would be off and I would load the cartridge. So for me, in my case, loading 7.62X39 just isn't practical and would, in my opinion, result in a waste of time and effort for no real net gain. I did try it but it simply was a waste of time where I could be loading other rounds I more enjoy shooting in better rifles. Been there and done that.

You have to decide what works for you in your case. The fact that I see hand loading for a SKS as fruitless means nothing.

Just My Take....
Ron

 

[frankge]

as far as accuracy improvement with reloads. In my AK there was some improvement for sure, but nothing to get exited about - that rifle is not built for that purpose. An SKS will be more saccurate than an AK, I've seen it. The AR on he other hand it makes a BIG difference. Let's face it, having broken down Russian rounds of all manufacture, weighing them and measure powder - it really is blasting junk. Does it work, sure!, is it fun sure!, will it but a hurting on something sure! But dont think there is not a difference.

 

[elwoodm]

i reload this round for accuracy and it's better on the guns using brass. got a 1951 tula sks that will not see anymore steel in it. now if the components for reloading this round will come back (mainly .310 bullets) it's worth it

 

[Dr. A]

I reload for this caliber. My only 7.62x39 rifle is a CZ 527 that will shoot cheap Tula or Wolf with very nice accuracy. In fact it's hard to imagine a good reason for reloading, (because of the cost). If you have to buy typical cup and core bullets, it can be more expensive than buying the cheap ammo. As I said, it is very accurate!

I primarily reload this caliber so I can reload cast bullets and heavier cup and core bullets. my current hunting loads include a 155 grain cast bullet with a softer tip/hard alloy base that expands beautifully going 2330 fps. This tops any cheap ammo made pretty easily. I also have loaded 150gr. RN Hornady 30-30 bullets going 2300 with a similar powder charge. Other 150 gr. bullets are usually designed for higher velocity. The 30-30 bullet is being shot at a velocity where it really shines. Hunting loads are sometimes a concern using such light for caliber choices as what are offered commercially. Many folks claim the .308 bullets shot out of a .311 bore are not accurate, but they certainly are in my gun. There has been a greater chance for experimentation at least with this one particular gun. A great chance for me to keep experimenting and have fun.

If I don't want to reload, it's plenty easy to order some 5 dollar ammo and plink away at our steel plates all the way to 400 yards.

 

[tyeo098]

Yugo SKS with the gas shutoff essential becomes a straight pull bolt action

 

[joneb]

Yes, it took me some time to clean it really good. I disassembled bolt completely, there was some caked on gunk on a firing pin which wouldn't come out by soaking.

Cosmoline is like wax, it melts at 120 deg F
I boil it off and relube.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

I load it and most of what i shoot is reloaded ammo. Once you have accumulated brass its no more expensive to load then anything else. It is the one round i do have factory ammo for though. I have 4 cases of wolf i keep squirreled away for bad times or when like lately ammo cant be found. I had 5 cases but found the local gunshop wanted a case bad enough that he traded for a gun. So i guess if nothing else it like 22 shells lately are a better investment then gold.

 

[Katitmail]

Once you have accumulated brass

Thats a keyword. With everyone shooting metal - can't find any on a floor. With Winchester costing 40c+ a round - doesn't make sense to buy them for reloading.. If brass was available on a ground - I wouldn't even think about it..

 

[Mohave-Tec]

I reload in every caliber to improve upon the skill set and to never be at the mercy of others for a supply stream.

 

[Jason_W]

I plan to handload for x39 rifle I just picked up. I hunt and I'm fairly certain that I can create loads that incorporate Barnes TSX bullets for less than what a box of Doubletaps incorporating the same bullet.

I'm also curious to see if I can find load data that incorporates bullets in the 180 grain range. Just because I think it would be interesting.

 

[HOWARD J]

I have a lot of brass for 7.62 x 39
I reload them for something to do--also--if the day come that we get cut off cheap steel case I will have a lot of brass for my Mini-30.
Plus I have a case & a half of Chinese Norelco steel case
have fun

 

[elwoodm]

jason w 180gr would be too much bullet you dont have that much room in the case. not much data for this round past 155gr that i know of.