A Ladder test with 150 grain bullets in the 7.62x39 28 degree Ackley.

Today I set up a test using the following recipe: 150 grain .312 Speer bullet with H4198 powder. COAL = 2.325. Federal Match Large Rifle primer. This case holds 39.5 grains of fine ball powder to the case-mouth. Brass Geco factory brass, fire formed to improved chamber. (Once fired brass)

The rifle: Howa Mini. 20” light weight barrel. 7.62x39 Improved 28 degree.

The purpose was to see if the cartridge could duplicate 30/30 performance. I used 30 ARX load data as a reference. My cartridge has slightly more capacity than the 30 Grendel, 30 ARX, so I started with the lowest load and worked up. The test measured 3 rounds fired at each level.

Results

Grains Velocity (FPS) Comments
28 2297,2310,2296 ES= 13 FPS.
29 2341,2345,2331 ES=14. Case full to bottom of neck
30 2430,2444, 2438 ES=14. 100% load. Bullet seated on top of powder
31 2499,2491,2508 ES= 6 Compressed load. Absolute Max! Shiny ejector mark

Note1: Geco 124 grain FMJ factory ammo measured 2424, 2430, 2429 fps.
Note2: Hornady 130 grain spire point bullets with 30 grains of AA1680 chronographed 2750 FPS.

This cartridge definitely duplicates 30/30 performance. It does so with less powder, noise, and recoil. Time will tell if the cartridge will do more when I receive my supply of Lapua brass.

The last 30/30 I tested was a Savage 325 bolt action rifle, also with a 20” barrel. It chronographed 2094 FPS with 170 grain Remington Corelock, 2295, with 150 grain Remington Corelock, and 2365 with Hornady LeverEvolution 160 grain factory ammo. With hand loaded 30/30 ammo, I would call the pair of cartridges ballistic twins, as both cartridges can approach 2500 FPS with 150 grain bullets. Certainly no deer or hog would know which hammer had hit them.

The Howa rifle is a particular pleasure to shoot. With factory loads, it has been no trick to keep 3-4 rounds touching at 50 yards. As the barrel heats, groups open. While this ladder test did not measure accuracy, the minute ES suggest the rifle would delivery excellent accuracy with these loads also. The Howa is definitely easier for me to shoot more accurately than the Savage 325 or any lever 30/30 I have tried.