need a little help with 7.62x39

[Shadow9mm]

So I have loaded for several other rifle cartridges over the hears, but this is my first venture into 7.62x39 . I have my press and dies set and am getting ready to put some loads together to start working it up. I am using accurate 1680 powder. I selected this powder as I will most likely be getting into 300 blackout in the not too distant future and wanted a powder that would work decently well in both. Rifle is a PSA AK with a 16 in chrome lined FN barrel.

Looking over the data.
Hornady shows a max of 23.9g
Hodgdon shows a start of 24.6 and a max of 27.3
Speer shows a start of 25.4 and a max of 28.2
Lees data mirrors Hodgdons, no surprise
my lyman manual does not have data for 1680
in my 8th edition western mirrors hodgdons data

My first inclination was to go with Hornadys data as they made the bullet. However both Hodgdon and western specifically list the sst bullet with those charge weights. I Don't want to push into speers data as it is a different bullet and its almost a full grain higher at max. Hornadys data also says it was fired in a 20in barrel SKS. does that have a lower pressure tolerance than the AK platform?

Trying to decide on a start and max to start working the load up. any thoughts? Anything I should know about 1680, its my first time using it as well.

[jetinteriorguy]

1680 is basically made for 7.72x39 and works great. I’m loading Hornady Amax 123gr with 25.4gr of 1680, and Hornady 123gr Spire Point with 27.5gr of 1680. In my AR47 these are shooting 1.5-2 MOA reliably.

[Shadow9mm]

no weird pressure signs or anything? looks like the Hodgdon data will be the way to go. does 1680 need or like magnum primers?

[jetinteriorguy]

No pressure issues at all, fire and function great.

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by jetinteriorguy

No pressure issues at all, fire and function great.

If no one has told you lately, you are awesome, thank you for the help!

[jetinteriorguy]

Another good powder for 7.62x39 is H335, or BLC2 works about the same.

[jetinteriorguy]

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

no weird pressure signs or anything? looks like the Hodgdon data will be the way to go. does 1680 need or like magnum primers?

I’m using CCI LRP’s.

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by jetinteriorguy

I’m using CCI LRP’s.

Thanks! I will be trying Remington LRP. I have enough to load the 500 bullets I have, and I am saving my CCI for my 30-06 loads as I already have those worked up.

1680 test loads. Just gonna do a function check and look for pressure signs. loaded 3 at each charge weight and go from there.
26.1
26.4
26.7
27.0

[armoredman]

I used 1680 for years when I was loading and casting for this caliber, great powder.

[chris in va]

You may be overthinking this a bit. It's being fired from a non-precision firearm so any minor variances won't be noticed as much as the barrel whipping around. If this was through a CZ 527 or similar you would be justified in working precision loads up.

Just use the minimum according to whatever recipe strikes your fancy and blast away.

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by chris in va

You may be overthinking this a bit. It's being fired from a non-precision firearm so any minor variances won't be noticed as much as the barrel whipping around. If this was through a CZ 527 or similar you would be justified in working precision loads up.

Just use the minimum according to whatever recipe strikes your fancy and blast away.

No. That is 100% not what im trying to do or after. Dont undestimate the ak platform. Most aks i have shot can hold 2moa with good ammo. And these bullets are for hunting/defensive use, not plinking.

[stagpanther]

1680--123 SST is AK gold standard. There are a few powders that can substitute for 1680, but it is about the best. My loads are a bit warmer than jet's.

[Shadow9mm]

Originally Posted by stagpanther

1680--123 SST is AK gold standard. There are a few powders that can substitute for 1680, but it is about the best. My loads are a bit warmer than jet's.

Probably wont push up any higher than 27.0.

With that said its nice to know i have some wiggle room at the top end if i want to push a little higher. But i need to learn my rifle and how it behaves before i tinker around too much. Right now focus is on a good accurate hunting/defensive load.

[44 AMP]

Most aks i have shot can hold 2moa with good ammo. And these bullets are for hunting/defensive use, not plinking.

Some folks here would not consider 2MOA a precision rifle (or load), but its plenty for hunting deer and other big game. Though why you'd choose to hunt with what I consider "the .30-30 lite"....

[Shadow9mm]

Only way to tell is to shoot the gun. I had an ak years back that would do moa with wolf. Curious to see what i can get with hand loads.

[zeke]

Another 1680 user for velocity/accuracy. However for the AK/sks these were only one load deals with new brass, as the brass rims were beat pretty bad making it a job to get all the rims to fit in shell holder. So concentrated on the CZ 527 for reloads.

[Shadow9mm]

Gonna be getting some once fired brass. Hopefully its in reasonably good shape. Plan to load 500, keep some for practice, keep the rest in reserve for hunting/emergency.

[jetinteriorguy]

Don’t underestimate 7.62x39 on deer. I bought a Mini 30 from the first production run and had no trouble getting my deer every year for many years after until I no longer had time for deer hunting due to family and business demands. It was easily lethal out to 150 yds and was great on running shots because of the ease with follow up shots. Due to the way we had to hunt back in NoDak 90% or more of my kills were on running deer.

[Shadow9mm]

Got to the range today, everything ran smoothly fired 3 rounds each at the listed levels. Max from hornady is 27.3g

26.1
26.4
26.7
27.0

Of interesting note, none of the loads had pressure signs, using Remington primers, still nice and round after firing.

Also ejection was odd. 26.1g and 27.0g both had very consistent ejection, dropped brass in almost the exact same spot within 6in of each other. The other charge weights the brass was going all over the place probably varying by 3ft in distance, and 1-2ft side to side. over all brass was going out at about the 2 o'clock position, and around 6-12yds.

But over all, everything looks good. Now i just need to load more to see how it groups.