Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots New MGM 7.62x39 barrel

I finally got out to try some loads through my new barrel Sunday. Conditions were calm and cool with very little wind.

24" MGM stainless 7.62x39 Encore barrel with a .308 groove diameter, 1 in 10 twist. All of the loads have room to increase the powder charges, according to Hodgdon data, and of course seating depths can be adjusted.

Chronograph distance was 12', temperature between 55° and 65° F.

I'm pretty darn happy with the results, though it's only 3 shot groups @ 100 yds. I've always normally done load workups with 5 shot groups, but with the supply chain as it is now, decided to go with 3.

All loads used KP head stamp brass (Lapua manufactured), and CCI 200 primers. Powder and bullet types are on the targets.

Congratulations! I have the exact same barrel. I haven't tried copper yet. They are difficult to find where I am.

You can't go wrong with AA1680 or CFE BLK. The nice thing about this cartridge is there aren't a lot of propellants to try. You can find a decent load pretty quick.

Enjoy!

Thanks. Yes, it doesn't look like it'll be too picky. Looking forward to using it this deer season. MGM makes a great barrel.

Great little accurate tube. You are going to really enjoy it. I've got one and lent it to a friend for his recoil shy grandson......dead buck!! By the way I won it in a $5 raffle of the TCA. 2 years later I won Fred Smiths .22 K Hornet . Good $10.00 investments!
Semper Fidelis
Soup

Another vote here for the accuracy.

Using a .308 barrel helps tremously for the 7.52x39, 7.62x54r and the 303 Brirish. Being able to use .308 bullets means they are cheaper, easier to find and more weights are available. It’s win, win!

Same reason I like the 30-20 TC. Nice little 32-20 case without the oddball bullet diameter.

Not trying to offend anybody but what does a 7.62 x 39 do in a single shot that a 30/30 does not do? I get the shorter OAL for an AR or an AK and maybe less expensive factory ammunition?

Probably nailed it wit "less expensive factory ammunition". I'm sitting on a stockpile of 7.62x39, as are a lot of guys I know. Other than that, I wouldn't have one.

To answer the 30-30 vs 7.62 question, if you reload, you will use less powder and experience less recoil. For younger hunters, or someone who would like less felt recoil, the 7.62x39 is an option.

I have been successful using 125 gr Sierra PH with this cartridge, but I know two hunters that hunt with 110 gr. Barnes bullets.

It is called having choices and is no different than the Creedmoor vs Swede or Chevy vs Ford discussions. Use what appeals to you.

I don't have a 7.62x39 but Lapua brass is nice benefit

This was the clincher for me, as I had 200 cases bought on clearance from Natchez or Midsouth, (don't remember which), back in the early or mid 90's. They were ridiculously cheap then, and the quality is obvious. They look like little jewels.

Also, it's sort of like having a 30 PPC,, without all of the hoop jumping. Then, my favorite deer hunting spot only allows about a 180 yard shot before the animals are skylined, and it makes a nearly perfect hunting package for that particular spot.

I had been considering a barrel in the new 360 buck hammer, but, I had that brass just lounging around.

My Contender carbine seems happy with the .30-30.

It appears so. I'll bet the owner is happy too.

Have you taken game with the Sierra at that speed? If so, how did it perform?

Yes indeed. 8-9 deer and a bunch of hogs. Performance has been flawless. Initial load development was hampered by frame stretch using the 1st generation Contender, but the barrel was recently moved to a G2 frame. 2450 fps avg is the new norm and it shoots fine.

Should add that it also shoots Hornady 170 gr FBRN and Lyman 311041 cast very well. One of these days I’ll try a cast Brooks bullet of 180 gr just for giggles. It is a spire form with a very small round nose design I use with the .30 Sneezer.

Thanks for the information. I've got some Speer 150 gr. SPBT that I learned about the performance of from the 300 Hammer thread on the Texas Hunting Forum.

So far I've gotten them up to just above 2300 fps., using A2200, though they are only grouping in the 1"- 1 1/2" range so far.

I fired one into water jugs at 50 yards and caught the bullet in the 6th jug. The velocity of the shot at 12' was 2219 fps.