|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 44,899 Likes: 39
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 44,899 Likes: 39 |
The Hornady 123gr SST does show some promise with 3 of 5 shots touching at 100 yards from a non-floated barrel, off a less than steady table in a bit of wind. I'd get down on the ground to get steadier, but I'd have to cut too much grass to see my target. That's impressive.
Slaves get what they need. Free men get what they want. Rehabilitation is way overrated. Orwell wasn't wrong. GOA member disappointed NRA member 24HCF SEARCH
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755 |
Got some velocity data on the Hornady 123gr SST, and the Tula 124gr FMJ, using the Magnetospeed chrono.
16" barrel, carbine gas system, 75F.
Hornady 123gr SST: 2346 2372 2388 2382 2363 average: 2370
Tula 124gr FMJ: 2409 2424 2464 2481 2442 average: 2444
Thanks for posting that. Interesting to see the Tula is faster (and by that much!) than the Hornady; my impression of Tula in other calibers the few times I've tried it has been that it was somewhat underpowered. Just as an interesting comparison (not a "mine is better than yours" thing at all), that Hornady 123gr load is running almost exactly the same speed as the 123gr ELD-M handload in my 12.5" 6.5 Grendel. That's with re-formed 7.62x39 brass too, lots of similarities in those loads except for the barrel length.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18 |
I was surprised about the Tula velocity as well. From my internet readings I was expecting 2300-ish fps. Shootng the two ammos side-by-side, the Tula does feel like it has a little more gas though.
I'll bet the 123 in the Grendel has a heck of lot higher BC than the 7.62x39 also. I believe the 7.62 123gr SST has a BC around .290 or so.
I'm enjoying the 7.62x39 journey so far, and if there was a left-hand bolt action rifle, I'd probably have one. Who knows, might try a Ruger American 7.62x39 boltgun down the road, even if it is RH.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18 |
Per data on Midway specs:
.264 123gr SST BC .510
.310 123gr SST BC .260
That's a LOT more BC on the 6.5mm!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755 |
Yeah that high BC makes all the difference at longer range, it's a fun setup to plink with out around 600+ yards. The Grendel is a relatively slow cartridge IMO so that high BC is it's saving grace. Within "red dot sight distance" though it doesn't have any real advantage over the old AK round IMO. It's basically an improved and necked down x39 case so it does use a little more powder, and that short 12.5" barrel on mine is LOUD. Definitely some advantages to both cartridges still I think; I just found it interesting to note the similarities.
As a side note, I've heard but haven't confirmed (since I don't pay much attention to AK stuff any more) that some of the Russian/com-bloc people have taken up the Grendel as well and are chambering it in AK rifles. Kind of makes sense as a continuation on the old design I guess.
I've considered that American Ranch rifle in 7.62x39 as well; seems like a handy little setup.
Last edited by Yondering; 08/31/18.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18 |
I see Ruger has the Ranch in x39 and 6.5 Grendel. I suppose since they use the same boltface it was pretty easy to produce both
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14,806 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14,806 Likes: 5 |
I'll bet you could push the x39 a lot harder in a bolt action.
Politics is War by Other Means
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18 |
I'd imagine so, probably get a 150 gr bullet to 2400 fps in a 20" barrel without any trouble.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 44,899 Likes: 39
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 44,899 Likes: 39 |
I've considered that American Ranch rifle in 7.62x39 as well; seems like a handy little setup.
Mr. Mannlicher seems to think so, too.
Slaves get what they need. Free men get what they want. Rehabilitation is way overrated. Orwell wasn't wrong. GOA member disappointed NRA member 24HCF SEARCH
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755 |
I'll bet you could push the x39 a lot harder in a bolt action. Honestly I'm not sure you really could. The AR action isn't the weak link with one of these, it's the case itself.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14,806 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14,806 Likes: 5 |
Honestly I'm not sure you really could. The AR action isn't the weak link with one of these, it's the case itself.
Oh yeah? What have you found about it? Stretch a lot? Weak primer pockets? ?????
Politics is War by Other Means
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18 |
I would think brass from Starline or Lapua would be fairly stout?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,255 Likes: 16
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,255 Likes: 16 |
I would think brass from Starline or Lapua would be fairly stout? Hodgdon's s shows pressures over 43,000 CUP with Midway brass. I'd feel pretty comfortable with Starline or Lapua brass in a bolt gun. If I was really concerned, I'd cut a case vertically and see how much meat was on it's bones.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,207 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,207 Likes: 1 |
Neighbor has a Ruger 77 Mark II, in the x39. He is a deer killing machine with this little gun!
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,274 Likes: 37
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,274 Likes: 37 |
Never discharged a 7.62X39, not even once. Have shot a bunch of them though. They can't hit me.
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755 |
Honestly I'm not sure you really could. The AR action isn't the weak link with one of these, it's the case itself.
Oh yeah? What have you found about it? Stretch a lot? Weak primer pockets? ????? In my experience, it'll tend to loosen primer pockets before exceeding pressure capability of the AR platform, and with a properly gassed rifle (so it doesn't unlock early) you can run right up to the limits of the brass. Of course you can break a bolt too, but with modern bolts that's more an issue of an out of square barrel extension in the upper. To be fair, my experience with this is in the Grendel cartridge, but I'm using the same 7.62x39 brass just fireformed to the Grendel case. I don't know if stretching would be any more of an issue in the 7.62.
Last edited by Yondering; 09/01/18.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18 |
Did some velocity comparison today between the Tula 122gr FMJ vs Tula 124gr FMJ. 16" barrel. Chrony F1. 10 yards. 122 grain: 2376 2347 2372 2369 2402 avg: 2373 ……………………. 124 grain: 2393 2421 2433 2422 2397 avg: 2413 Fired same gun, same day (today). Temp about 50F. Interesting that the 124gr is 40 fps faster on average. I was doing some internet searching to try to learn the differences between the 122gr fmj, and 124gr fmj. One shooter wrote that he had pulled down about five rounds of each weight. The bullets were all the same weight, but the 124gr labeled had a heavier powder charge by a grain or so. Here's a new pic of the 7.62x39 carbine. Made a couple changes. Put on a carbine stock wit an H3 buffer, UTG handguards, and a Magpul vertical grip. I just like this thing. Put a couple hundred rounds through it today shooting close. Mostly 25-50 yards quick fire, working on some muscle memory. Did a little 100-150 yard rock busting, offhand. Did some further shooting with the 14.7" 5.56. Went out to 650 yards using thePrimary Arms 5X with their reticle.
Last edited by MontanaMarine; 09/28/18.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,478 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,478 Likes: 4 |
MM,
Who’s upper is that? I want one.
I’m a heavy 5.56 guy, but have friends with loads of 7.62x39 and swear by it.
“Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils.” - General John Stark.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18 |
Palmetto State Armory. In stock now. $279, free shipping. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...lassic-upper-with-bcg-ch-5165449462.htmlThe PSA upper has the enhanced firing pin for soviet ammo. I've only been running Tula and some Hornady steel case ammo. I bought ASC magazines. 10-round and 20-round. This rig has never bobbled so far.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18
Campfire Ranger
|
OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,152 Likes: 18 |
|
|
|
|
549 members (06hunter59, 222Sako, 1beaver_shooter, 1OntarioJim, 222ND, 160user, 50 invisible),
13,301
guests, and
978
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,195,128
Posts18,542,349
Members74,057
|
Most Online21,066 May 26th, 2024
|
|
|
|