The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Would it be silly to start handloading 7.62x39?

chiefr · March 5, 2013, 04:22 PM

Well considering the price of 7.62x39 ammo, I would say yes.
Roll back the clock to the 70s-80s. This ammo was non existant.

Many years ago, I was fortunate to aquire 1000 IMI boxer primed brass and was able to shoot Russian rifles. In the 1990s, American manufactures started producing boxer primed ammo and later, surplus ammo was allowed for importation.

With tons of cheap Wolf & Tula ammo around, I quit reloading this number. Looks like it is time to consider reloading again as the panic has pushed prices up.
One lesson I learned was tight solid crimps are paramount in both SKS & AKs.
Late adds:
Near max loads were required to cycle some SKSs. Max not important in AKs
Concur, most rifles loved .311 bullets.

March 5, 2013, 04:22 PM	#4
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Well considering the price of 7.62x39 ammo, I would say yes. Roll back the clock to the 70s-80s. This ammo was non existant. Many years ago, I was fortunate to aquire 1000 IMI boxer primed brass and was able to shoot Russian rifles. In the 1990s, American manufactures started producing boxer primed ammo and later, surplus ammo was allowed for importation. With tons of cheap Wolf & Tula ammo around, I quit reloading this number. Looks like it is time to consider reloading again as the panic has pushed prices up. One lesson I learned was tight solid crimps are paramount in both SKS & AKs. Late adds: Near max loads were required to cycle some SKSs. Max not important in AKs Concur, most rifles loved .311 bullets. Last edited by chiefr; March 5, 2013 at 04:32 PM.