Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting 7.62x39 1.312 dia 151 grain cast lead load?

Ran a 10 rd. string of my above mention cast x39 cast bullet loads over the chrono this weekend while doing some other testing.

Lee GC TL 160 gr. RNFP .312.5 dia.
case Win.
Primer CCI #34
12.5 grs. Alliant 2400
Low 1510
High 1557
Avg. 1527

I think I just bought a mold identical to yours on another board.

Here is a pic of the bullet my Lee mold cast they make two versions both in .312 on has the traditional grease grooves mine is the tumble lube version.

Res45 - why do you say that the max load is 15 grains of 2400. I was not having any issues with pressure and worked up to 15.5 grains. This shrunk my groups considerably with the .312 155 grain gas checked. Note that this may not be true with YOUR rifle, but mine seemed to handle it fine. Just wondering what you based the max load on. Tanks again for all the good input. I really appreciate the help!

I have loaded up some test loads with .314 sizer too (I'm using less powder on these to start).

Mr. Ed Harris was kind enough to share his loads with me. Here is his published article:



Practical Dope on the 7.62x39

By C.E. Harris�Updated 3-27-94

I have reloaded thousands of rounds of 7.62X39 ammunition with both cast bullets and jacketed, in the AK and the SKS. I got frustrated with the AK as accuracy of these seems is generally poor, at best about 5-6" at 100 yards. The SKS is more reasonable, about 3-4" and is still a real bargain these days. Most SKS rifles group better with cast bullets than they do with ball ammunition. If you are new to cast bullet shooting or not inclined to do a lot
of experimenting, I recommend 14.5-15.5 grs. of Hercules #2400 with the Lee .312-155-2R bullet, cast of wheel weights and sized .312". With this load the rifle functions like the proverbial pony trotting, and dumps the cases right
at your feet! You can also try 18-21 grs. of 4198 or 16-18 grs. of 4227 with any bullet from 122-125 grs.

The gas ports on these guns are larger than they need to be for reliable functioning. Lead fouling of the gas port is not a problem, but the gas piston and cylinder will foul, which can affect functioning if neglected. The gas
piston should be removed and cleaned with Break Free, Marvel Mystery Oil or Dexron IIe ATF and 000 steel wool after each use, and the gas cylinder scrubbed with a shotgun bore brush. Liberally lubricating with Break Free,
Marvel Mystery Oil or Dexron prior to reassembly eases the fouling problem.

You can fire several hundred rounds between cleanings if you avoid super heating the rifle with rapid fire so that the barrel becomes too hot to hold in the bare hand. If you do so, and let the rifle cool without stripping and cleaning it immediately it will be difficult to disassemble!

I have not found lead fouling to be a problem in ordinary National Match Course style firing, but only in factory endurance tests of the Ruger Mini Thirty when I was at Ruger. Ruger does not recommend handloads of any type. Therefore, they don't recommend cast bullets at all. However, in my experience cast loads about 1 grain heavier than the minimum which cycle an SKS or AK will work in the
Ruger. These pose no real functional problem as long as the gas piston and its recess in the slide handle are kept clean and well lubricated. The only common cast bullet designs which are correct for the my original NEI designs
for this caliber and the Lee .312-155-2R and TL.312-160-2R. The latter two are adaptations of my original NEI design with minor changes to suit Lee's manufacturing process, and to change the appearance slightly so the Lee version would have a distinct "product identity." Now that NEI is back in business (51583 Columbia River Hwy., Scappoose, OR 97056) Walt Melander can provide my original 52A design with its 1-1/2-degree tapered forepart or a stepped-diameter design similar to Lee's adaption, but with a blunter nose shape which is better for hunting. Accuracy-wise there is no difference between them. I designed these bullets with the intent to have the heaviest bullet which could be loaded without the GC poking into the powder space, and which would be big enough on the forepart to fill the large throats on the AK and SKS, as well as in the 7.62x54R Russian, .303 British, 7.65 Argentine, 7.7 Jap, etc Use of a heavier bullet is also better suited for the typical 10-inch twist rates of 7.62x39 barrels. These bullets have only one grease groove, (which is enough) and a substantial crimp groove .26" from the base. The rear driving band casts .312", the front band .310" and the forepart ahead of the crimp groove is .308." The ogival radius starts from this point in order to maximize bearing length. These bullets have proven very accurate in a variety of military rifles for
target work at up to 200 yards. They out shoots ball ammo in the SKS or AK with any reasonable load. In a bolt- action target rifle they are capable of 1-1/4" 10-shot groups at 100 yards, and in a 2-groove 03A3 Springfield or M1917 Enfield they average around 2 moa ten-shot groups at 200 yards with iron sights, with refined loads.

I use 1 part of linotype to five parts of wheel weight metal for competition in my .30-'06 M1917 Enfield and M1903 Springfields up to 200 yards with 16 grs. of #2400, 20 grs. of 4227, 13 grs. of Red Dot or 12 grs. of 700-X. Accuracy of these light cast bullet loads is far better than Ball M2 service ammunition. I use the same charges in the .303 British and 7.62x54R Russian as well. I fill the grease grooves with 50-50 Alox beeswax (Lee brand) then tumble Lee Liquid Alox on for a light golden overcoat. These
loads don't lead for continuous use over the National Match Course, even over double-strings of rapid-fire.
Above 1800 f.p.s. I use the same alloy, but cast the bullets "hot" until they are uniformly frosted, then quench them directly from the mould. The heattreated, double-lubed bullets will stand 2000 fps. in wheelweight alloy
without leading, if shot straight from the mould without sizing, being GC'ed in a .313" die. A caseful (28 grs.) of Accurate 2230, 2460, or H335 gives around 2000 f.p.s. in the 7.62x39.

Accurate Arms 1680 is very similar to the Olin 680 Ball powder, though slightly slower. Both of these powders are used in 7.62x39 ball ammunition, with a charge of 24 grs. being correct for service velocities with 123-gr. jacketed bullets using the Accurate-IMI propellant, and 23 grs. for the slightly faster Olin powder. For a full-power load approximating service ammunition you can also use 26.5 grs. of RL-7 or 25.0 grs. of IMR or H4198. With cast bullets the minimum load with 1680 which functions the SKS with the Lee .312-155-2R is 16 grs. In the SKS this produces about 1420 f.p.s. and 3" groups at 100 yds.; 18 grs. gives 1630 f.p.s. and 4" groups in the SKS. I did two strings with the Olin 680 for comparison with the NEI 155-gr. cast bullet at 18 and 19 grs., respectively, which gave 1810 and 1930 f.p.s. I would not exceed 19 grs. of Olin 680, or 20 grs. of Accurate 1680 with the 155-gr. cast bullet, as these are both full loads.

The following tables provide additional test data on the 7.62x39. Jacketed bullet handloads for 7.62x39- Lapua cases, Fed. 210 primers, Ctg.OAL 2.19" from CEH article in Handloader's Digest 12th. Edition, 1990, p.125.

20" P/V on Univ. Receiver. Vel. 24" Sako
123-gr. FMJ
24.5 H4198 2264 fps 48,170 cup 2377 ;
26.5 RL-7 2325 fps 52,000 cup 2451 ;
28.0 H322 2180 fps 42,300 cup 2287 ;

150-gr. SP
28.5 BLC2 2030 fps 40,000 cup 2140 ;
23.0 RL-7 2050 fps 52,000 cup 2162 ;

Accurate Arms 4th Edition for 7.62x39, SKS with 20.5" barrel
START MAXIMUM ;

123-gr. FMJ
24.0 A1680 2233 fps
26.5 A1680 2350 fps
26.5 A2230 1840 fps
29.5 A2230 2086 fps

PS Ball for comparison, velocities from SKS with 20.5" barrel Chicom 101-71 2415, 11 Sd East German 04-77 2448, 11 Sd

Very cool.

Thanks!

You are welcome

I figured that since he designed the bullet mold, I should take his advice for using it!

He also mentioned that R-7 was a good powder choice but I think that the article predates R-7.

My previous tests of 7.62x39 loads were through a Chinese SKS. Last night I shot the Yugo SKS with various loads of Alliant�s 2400.

As a control I used my previous best load of 23.5 grains of IMR3031 behind the 155 grain gas checked lead bullet. These cycle well and are �minute of paper plate� at 100 yards with iron sites and my poor shooting. This is the load I am trying to beat.

I found that 14.5 grains or less of Alliant 2400 will not cycle the action with any projectile that I am using.

But the gas checked cast lead projectile from the .312 155 grain Lee mold cycled well with 15 and 15.5 grains of 2400. I tried these projectiles after running one batch through a .312 sizer and another batch through a .314 sizer. Both shot well at 50 yard ranges without any noticeable difference in my rifle. Every rifle is different, so remember that my results may not be the same as yours. I did not shoot them at 100 yards yet. That will be the next range session with several SKS for side by side comparison of the 3031 load and the 2400 loads.

I really like the idea that I can get similar performance with 15.5 grains of powder instead of 23.5 grains. Yea, I�m that much of a bean counter that I calculated that the 2400 load gets me 451 cartridges loaded per pound as opposed to 287 from 3031. So 154 more loads per pound of powder. That is a significant difference!

I also tried the 2400 loads with 152 grain �tracer� mil surp projectiles of .3105 diameter. I tried with loads of 14.5, 15, 15.5 and 15.7 grains of powder. None of them cycled the action at all. Apparently the lead bullets expand in the bore enough to generate more pressure to operate the gas system. But by manually cycling the action I did get good 50 yard accuracy from the jacketed projectiles with every powder load. Each 50 yard five shot group was under a 3 inch spread � again using iron sites and my poor shooting. With more care I�m sure they would shrink, but I am not really interested in a load that won�t cycle the semi�s action. So on to other loads.

Next steps � try the cast lead loads at 100 yards in tenth of a grain increments, and load up the jacketed projectiles with 2400 at 16 � 18 grains in half grain increments. Buy some R-7.

The experiments continue!

Mssgn I aware of the Ed. Harris load data,I converse with him by email on occasion,if you look in the 94 data you will see where it mentions Hercules #2400 not the new Alliant 2400 some say the new 2400 is faster some say it's not. Not having any of the older Hercules #2400 to do a side by side test it's hard to say.

Anyway I've never had to work my load up that high,I may do a couple of full loads of Alliant 2400 at some point and see what they do over the chrono MV wise. As far as the RL#7 I found 22 grs. to be accurate in my Chinese SKS but it slings the brass into the next county.

Anyways Mr. Harris has since changed the numbers.

"Most up to date info from Ed Harris - 2008
Quote:
In the SKS start with 11 grs. of #2400 and increase the load gradually until you get reliable function. Do not exceed 15 grains of #2400. You can work similarly within the range of 13-18 grs. of 4227, 16-22 grs. of 4198, 18-24 grs. of RL-7"

https://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/view_topic.php?id=5211&forum_id=8

Thanks. I agree with Mr. Harris on his results with Alliant 2400:

"16 grs. of current Alliant #2400 is probably a bit on the warm side, but not dangerous. With cast bullet loads accuracy goes to pot before pressures rise to dangerous levels, so as a general rule accurate loads are safe ones."

Over 16 grains I began to see pressure signs on my primers. Accuracy did not improve so there was no motivation to go with a hotter load.

I still haven't acquired R-7 but when I dO I'll try your load. Thansk for all the help!

Went over to my friends house over the weekend that I shoot,reload and cast bullet with to work up a load for his new Russian SKS. After all was said and done it took 15 grs. of Alliant 2400 to cycle the action every time and it function every time,14.5 grs. short stroked the bolt about 1/3 of the time,being the rifle was NIB it's probably going to need a little shooting to loosen it up. I think at some point it might cycles with a lesser load but it might not also.

Anyways some chrono date my 5 shot 12.5 gr. load of Alliant 2400 using the Lee 165 gr..312 GC TL bullet averaged 1477 fps. 15 gr. load averaged 1703 fps. accuracy was superb with both load only difference was the 15 gr. load threw the brass further.

Excellent! Nice to know what the Chrony said, I've been wondering about that.

Sounds like you are right on target with the Russian SKS. I've noticed that my well broke in Chinese SKS cycle easier than the new stiff actioned Yugo too. I had a Russian SKS once but when I discovered that I could sell it and buy two Chinese SKS with the proceeds it didn't take me long to do so.

From what I can tell other than it just being made in Russian thats about the only difference. To a collector it would have more importance. I've been more than happy with my Chinese and Yugo SKS there just as accurate and seem to be just as well made as any Russian I've handled,over the past five year neither of mine have given me any problems. Wish me luck I may have a para or a D model Chinese in my future once my friend get his shop up and running and puts some of his collection on the rack. He said I would get first dibs on anything I like.

Very cool, good luck!

I've actually decided to sell the Yugo. I just don't like it as well as the chinese. I listed it this morning on another board for $250 plus shipping.

I'm back to loading cast bullets in 7.62x39. I have a bolt action Howa coming soon so that opens a whole new world of possibilities! Anyhow looking up reloading recipes brought me back to this great old thread and I was happy to read through it again Thanks again to all of you who contributed back in 2010!

HANDLOADER #177 has a lot of 7.62x39 cast bullet data.

Thanks. I don't have that one but if I see it at a yard sale I'll grab it....

Did you pick up a copy of the Lyman #4 Cast Bullet Manual, It has load data for both the Lee 155 and 160 gr. bullets designed for the 7.62 × 39?

Just picked up a Howa 7.62x39 bolt action. Once I get a scope on it we'll see what it can do too!