Cast bullets in SKS?

Fatelvis · August 5, 2001, 09:22 PM

Ive used cast bullets with gas checks in a few different "non-autoloading" rifles, and have great luck doing so. (Alot of the time MORE accurate than ball ammo!) However, I`ve always read, not to use cast bullets in a gas operated rifle. Does this rule out my SKS? Will it clog the gas system? Has anyone ever tried it? Any experiences, or knowledge would be appreciated.

Pampers · August 6, 2001, 07:49 AM

I don't think so! A recoil operated semi-auto would, of course, be the best bet for using lead bullets, but an SKS would be a close second. The gas system is HUGE! Any lead build up will be in the first part of the gas chamber. It is so big, and the ports are so large, that clean up shouldn't be a problem. Use reasonably hard alloy, and don't try to "Magnumize" it.

Yr. Obt. Svnt.

dntorbert · August 6, 2001, 03:18 PM

try searching the web for "practical dope on the 7.62x39" or something like that....I've got a few pages i printed out few months ago on reloading cast bullets just for the sks...I believe it was by C. E. Harris???

dntorbert · August 6, 2001, 03:44 PM

http://www.iea.com/~fgrig/gun/762x39.htm

Cheapo · August 6, 2001, 07:13 PM

The Lyman 311313, IIRC, is a nominal 110-gr gas check design, nice and pointy and designed maybe for the .30 Carbine.

I've used that number in the SKS with at least two different powders and had great results. RCBS Rifle Lube and Hornady crimp-on gas checks were part of the recipe.

We lubed 'em without sizing and they shot as (in-?)accurately as the usual jacketed stuff, at speeds up to about 2100 or 2200 fps. They were cast quite but even then weighed almost 120 grains with the gas check and loaded with lube (yeah, lube weight does not count...).

Sized to .309, these same babies shot 2-inch groups all day long out of two M1 Carbines, using both H110 and 296.

I highly recommend these. Don't worry about the gas system. A stiff bronze or soft stainless steel brush will easily take care of any lead melt-off you might experience in the gas system.

Nukem · August 8, 2001, 09:59 PM

Yup, Ed Harris had some great lead bullet loads for the SKS. Too bad I never kept a hard copy

Gewehr98 · August 8, 2001, 11:37 PM

Now I HAVE TO find a nice .321" cast bullet for my .32 Remington Model 8. Maybe some of those Beartooth .323" 8mm 170gr gas-checked puppies would work, since the gun is recoil-operated. Decisions, decisions, but I'll bet it's gonna be fun!

Fatelvis · August 9, 2001, 05:02 PM

Thanks alot guys! Great info, dntorbert.

August 5, 2001, 09:22 PM	#1
Fatelvis Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2001 Location: Lockport, IL Posts: 490	Cast bullets in SKS? Ive used cast bullets with gas checks in a few different "non-autoloading" rifles, and have great luck doing so. (Alot of the time MORE accurate than ball ammo!) However, I`ve always read, not to use cast bullets in a gas operated rifle. Does this rule out my SKS? Will it clog the gas system? Has anyone ever tried it? Any experiences, or knowledge would be appreciated.

August 6, 2001, 07:49 AM	#2
Pampers Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2000 Location: In the Lost State of Franklin Posts: 482	Clog up an SKS gas system? I don't think so! A recoil operated semi-auto would, of course, be the best bet for using lead bullets, but an SKS would be a close second. The gas system is HUGE! Any lead build up will be in the first part of the gas chamber. It is so big, and the ports are so large, that clean up shouldn't be a problem. Use reasonably hard alloy, and don't try to "Magnumize" it. Yr. Obt. Svnt. __________________ Your Most Humble & Obedient Servant Fred J. Drumheller NRA Life NRA Golden Eagle

August 6, 2001, 07:13 PM	#5
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	The Lyman 311313, IIRC, is a nominal 110-gr gas check design, nice and pointy and designed maybe for the .30 Carbine. I've used that number in the SKS with at least two different powders and had great results. RCBS Rifle Lube and Hornady crimp-on gas checks were part of the recipe. We lubed 'em without sizing and they shot as (in-?)accurately as the usual jacketed stuff, at speeds up to about 2100 or 2200 fps. They were cast quite but even then weighed almost 120 grains with the gas check and loaded with lube (yeah, lube weight does not count...). Sized to .309, these same babies shot 2-inch groups all day long out of two M1 Carbines, using both H110 and 296. I highly recommend these. Don't worry about the gas system. A stiff bronze or soft stainless steel brush will easily take care of any lead melt-off you might experience in the gas system. __________________ Let us never forget that the only legitimate source of government power is the citizens. If WE cannot exercise a certain power, we cannot grant it to the state.

August 8, 2001, 11:37 PM	#7
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	Dang! Now I HAVE TO find a nice .321" cast bullet for my .32 Remington Model 8. Maybe some of those Beartooth .323" 8mm 170gr gas-checked puppies would work, since the gun is recoil-operated. Decisions, decisions, but I'll bet it's gonna be fun! __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

August 6, 2001, 03:18 PM	#3
dntorbert Member Join Date: July 20, 2001 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 78	try searching the web for "practical dope on the 7.62x39" or something like that....I've got a few pages i printed out few months ago on reloading cast bullets just for the sks...I believe it was by C. E. Harris???

August 6, 2001, 03:44 PM	#4
dntorbert Member Join Date: July 20, 2001 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 78	http://www.iea.com/~fgrig/gun/762x39.htm

August 8, 2001, 09:59 PM	#6
Nukem Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Posts: 709	Yup, Ed Harris had some great lead bullet loads for the SKS. Too bad I never kept a hard copy

August 9, 2001, 05:02 PM	#8
Fatelvis Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2001 Location: Lockport, IL Posts: 490	Thanks alot guys! Great info, dntorbert.