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

Now that I have the mold, I'd liek to develop a cast lead load for my SKS....

Any suggestions?

Start with 30-30 cast load data

good idea! why didn't I think of that????

IMR 3031 worked GREAT. Thanks

I couldn't find a load in the manuals so I developed one with 3031 powder using my 150 grain .312 gas checked bullet.

Is anyone else loading a cast lead bullet in 7.62x39?

If so, what powders are working for you?

Yes, I load 3031 under a 180gr lead and the 180 .303 bullet, 18 to 18.5 gave me 1400fps. back it down to 14.5+- for 1100 or so. suprisingly accurate and cycled the action. only problem was feeding the lead, wrong ogive for good reliabilty, the 303 jacketed was flawless.

Try 30-30 Trail Boss loads

NEI mold #51 @ 125 gr works perfectly in the 7.62x39, just specify you want a .311 driving bands diameter when you order.

Thanks guys Anyone else?

SOF - does that cycle a semi's action of are you using it as a single shot or bolt gun load?

Mssgn I cast for a Chinese and Yugo SKS using the Lee GC TL 160 gr. RNFP designed by C.E. Harris. I cast my bullets from straight wheel weights and water quench. My powder of choice at the moment is Alliant 2400,you can start with 11.0 grs and increase the load by .5 grs. till the rifle cycles reliably the MAX load of 2400 you can use in the X39 case is 15.0 grs.

I've found that a load of 12.5 grs. cycles both my Chinese and Yugo SKS and dumps the brass right at my feet,a load of 14.0 grs. even feels and throws the brass similar to the standard 123 gr. ball ammo. You can work similarly within the range of 13-18 grs. of 4227, 16-22 grs. of 4198, 18-24 grs. of RL-7 or just stuff the darned case with all the 4895 it will hold.

I use a light double coat of Lee Alox thinned with mineral spirits first coat goes on the bullet as cast,then I apply the GC with a Lee .314 sizer so as not to size the bullet,next I apply another light coat of the Alox mix and allow to dry. Then load and shoot,I use the same bullet in my Mosin 54r and 300 Sav. also. The good thing about 2400 is it isn't position or volume sensitive like some of the stick powders. I also use a universal load of 16.0 grs. of 2400 in both the 54r and 300 Sav. with excellent results using the same bullet.

You will need to make a rear sight adjustment anywhere for 200 to 500 meters depending on the load and rifle to hit the same POI at the 100 meter setting as you would if using the 123 gr. ball ammo.

First test firing before rear sight adjustments with Chinese and Yugo SKS.

WOW! you had great results! Ok, I'm going shopping for some 2400!

A very useful first post. Welcome to the campfire

Thanks,I've been lurking for awhile. I like working with the X39 cartridge I've been reloading for it for several years with all types of jacketed bullets from 123 gr. up to 187 surplus pulls and just recently started casting my own bullets for several of my rifles and handguns.

I like having the ability to not only make cheap accurate ammo but due to the ever rising cost of commercial bullets and components for plinking and hunting and the uncertainty of there future availability it just makes sense especially when all my lead had been free up to this point. I've been blessed to have some good friends and connections when it comes to finding scrap lead.

I think a lot of people that like to shoot or use there firearms for SD or even put food on the table need to be thinking about these things now,you can't just depend on importers or being able to run down to your local shop or Wally World and grab a box of ammo when you might need it I think the last year and a half has proven that point.

If there is any thing I left out in my post feel free to ask,I try not to leave out any minor details but I'm sure I do from time to time.

A 5 rd. stripper of my x39 cast loads.

Res45 you wrote



Is the end result a .314 bullet?
I'm sizing to .312, maybe my diameter is too small?

When you are loading the small charges of 2400 is there a lot of empty space in teh cartridge? Do you use a filler?

It not uncommon for Lee molds or sizing dies to be either oversized or undersized or as the box specified. Also your alloy has a lot to do with what size bullet your mold will cast.

Most mold mfg. design there mold to cast a certain dia. bullet using Linotype or Lino#2 alloy referring the mold specs on the box. It's a know fact that using different alloys will affect bullet dia, as well as weight I use WW alloy and my Lee .312 160gr. mold throws a .313 dia. bullet that weighs 165gr. If I were using regular Linotype alloy it would be more closer to spec.

I use my bullets as cast,I choose the .314 sizer because I didn't want to size the bullet any since the bore on the SKS and Mosin are close to.312 already,you need your bullet to be .01 to .02 over groove to groove dia.,the Lee .314 sizer provides crimp to set the GC firmly on the base of the bullet due to the thickness of the GC I've used Hornady and Gator checks both with no problems with several rifle calibers. It was also recommended to me by several cast bullet shooters to do it this way since Lee doesn't make a .313 sizer and I want to not affect my bullet size. It's better to be a little bigger and to small.

Alliant 2400 is fine to use in reduced rifle load as is with no filler needed,it's not capacity or position sensitive like some other powders are,you don't have to worry about getting the SEE affect using this powder in the X39 cartridge just stick within the 11.0 grs. start and 15.0 grs. MAX and you will be fine. I should mention you may see a load listed for the 7.62 x 39 stating a MAX load of 16 grs. of 2400 that pertains to the old Hercules 2400 not the new Alliant version I'm referring to.

Lots of good bullet casting info here.
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=13453
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=13425

I struck out on 2400. Called 2 stores, neither had it in stock. So I tried 180 grain froma 311 mold over 3031 powder. It needed 15 grains to cycle the action but none of the 4 loads I tried hit a pie plate at 75 yards, so the 311 mold is just too small for my SKS bore. I'll check the linked threads and keep looking for 2400. thnx

The .311 mold would probably work great in most 30 Cal. rifle. I use the Lee .309 but it drops a .311 I just apply a GC through a Lee .311 sizer and load it in my Sav.99 in 300 Sav.

Tried the .311 cast in 303 British (over Red Dot) and it worked dandy. Now back to 7.62x39 .....

good thread..
I've been thinking about casting for my mini 30.... you guys got me convinced...
anybody have any load data for unique ? I use alot of it in my 303 savage's.I've never used any 2400..I can't find load data for cast bullets in the 7.62X39

I'd like to find a good 130gr cast bullet to use .

plab

Read the post at this link. The Lee 150 traditional lube and the Lee 160 tumble lube molds are your best bet in the X39 there a lot more stable than the short 130 gr. designs.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=13453

The Lyman manual has a unique load, but i don't have it in front of me.