7.62X39 loads

RomaRana · August 31, 2002, 05:23 PM

I need a little help here because I have hit a wall. I just finished building a 7.62X39 mauser bolt gun. This gun has an extreamly heavy barrel, and I want to get the most possible accuracy out of it. The gun has a .311 bore dia. The problem is that I cannot find any load data over 150 grain bullets for the 7.62X39. The range of data that I can find is 100-150grain. I really need data for jacketed bullets over that. There are some great bullets in that bore dia like the 174 match king and some 180 grainers also. Where can I find this data?

Jamie Young · September 1, 2002, 10:48 PM

If you shot bullets that heavy, you'd probable be getting velocities around 1600fps. Do a search here and in the Rifle forum.

I use to reload for the 7.62x39, but sold my stuff off to a Moderator.

A few people reload 150gr for SKS's, but I've "NEVER" heard of anyone going higher than that for the 7.62x39 cartridge. IMHO once you go above 150gr your really just sending artillery downrange. If you just want accuracy, get 150gr match bullets. I'm sure they're around.

Gewehr98 · September 1, 2002, 10:57 PM

Because most of the 7.62x39 load data over here in the States is intended for 150gr and lighter bullets, ostensibly for proper magazine feeding from an AK or SKS magazine. Granted, a bolt-action 7.62x39 Mauser or Ruger Model 77 would probably be able to handle the heavier .310-.312" bullets intended for the 7.7 Arisaka and .303 British rounds, providing the barrel throat was long enough and the rate of twist was correct.

The other problem here in the States is the relative scarcity of people who handload for the short Soviet round. With steel-cased surplus ammo being so cheap, only the most diehard handloaders spend the time, money, and effort to handload the round. I do, because I've found I can get sub 2" 100 meter groups out of my Bulgarian AK with my handloads, and I feel better about picking up my brass when most every range these days is littered with steel 7.62x39 casings.

Oddly enough, I've gone the reverse direction from what you're trying to do, and load the lighter 123gr AK bullets in my .303 British rounds, for reduced recoil from my No5Mk1 Jungle Carbine.

The website posted below has several subsonic heavy bullet loads, but note that some of the heavy bullets are seated backwards! These are also using .308" bullets, since the owner used a .308" barrel:

http://www.nucleus.com/~cronhelm/762loaddata.html

I hope this helps!

RomaRana · September 1, 2002, 11:39 PM

So far I have found this info. http://www.accuratereloading.com/76239.html

"A few people reload 150gr for SKS's, but I've "NEVER" heard of anyone going higher than that for the 7.62x39 cartridge. "

Soda pop like gewehr said the reason they dont load over 150 is because of the OAL in the mag. Otherwise they would have to single load like I do in my ar15 for 600 yard slowfire. I did a search here and all I could come up with was subsonic tests etc.

Accurate reloading.com was getting 0.245, 0.790, and 0.872 with the 240gr SIERRA MK. Sadly I think they only make these bullets in .308 diam

vel was 1793,1812 ,1870, 1914 fps

RomaRana · September 1, 2002, 11:41 PM

Oh also, the barrel is a 1 in 10" .311 bore shillen heavy varminter.

Gewehr98 · September 2, 2002, 12:41 AM

Quote:

A few people reload 150gr for SKS's, but I've "NEVER" heard of anyone going higher than that for the 7.62x39 cartridge. IMHO once you go above 150gr your really just sending artillery downrange. If you just want accuracy, get 150gr match bullets.

There's a fun little number called the .300 Whisper that launches really heavy .30 caliber bullets at subsonic velocity, using the .221 Remington Fireball as the parent case. RomaRana's idea does indeed hold merit, if you consider the success of the Whisper in it's designed role.
Truth is, I've got a spare 98 Mauser action that's just itching to become a .300 Whisper - I'm just waiting on range reports from Tamara's .300 Whisper Mauser project before I get going on mine. It may have a similar rainbow trajectory to my 405gr .45-70 blackpowder loads, but getting them dialed in is half the fun!

griz · September 2, 2002, 08:00 AM

You might try searching the web for data from C. E. Harris. He did a lot of cast bullet work with the 763 X 39 and IIRC he used some bullets heavier than 150.

August 31, 2002, 05:23 PM	#1
RomaRana Member Join Date: November 29, 2001 Location: Lapland Posts: 57	7.62X39 loads I need a little help here because I have hit a wall. I just finished building a 7.62X39 mauser bolt gun. This gun has an extreamly heavy barrel, and I want to get the most possible accuracy out of it. The gun has a .311 bore dia. The problem is that I cannot find any load data over 150 grain bullets for the 7.62X39. The range of data that I can find is 100-150grain. I really need data for jacketed bullets over that. There are some great bullets in that bore dia like the 174 match king and some 180 grainers also. Where can I find this data? __________________ Http://www.romarana.com

September 1, 2002, 10:48 PM	#2
Jamie Young Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: SE/PA Posts: 4,834	If you shot bullets that heavy, you'd probable be getting velocities around 1600fps. Do a search here and in the Rifle forum. I use to reload for the 7.62x39, but sold my stuff off to a Moderator. A few people reload 150gr for SKS's, but I've "NEVER" heard of anyone going higher than that for the 7.62x39 cartridge. IMHO once you go above 150gr your really just sending artillery downrange. If you just want accuracy, get 150gr match bullets. I'm sure they're around. __________________ Find out about Gun Shows and Training activities. www.TheRallyPoint.org Get your gun club involved!!

September 1, 2002, 10:57 PM	#3
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	That's going to be difficult, RomaRana... Because most of the 7.62x39 load data over here in the States is intended for 150gr and lighter bullets, ostensibly for proper magazine feeding from an AK or SKS magazine. Granted, a bolt-action 7.62x39 Mauser or Ruger Model 77 would probably be able to handle the heavier .310-.312" bullets intended for the 7.7 Arisaka and .303 British rounds, providing the barrel throat was long enough and the rate of twist was correct. The other problem here in the States is the relative scarcity of people who handload for the short Soviet round. With steel-cased surplus ammo being so cheap, only the most diehard handloaders spend the time, money, and effort to handload the round. I do, because I've found I can get sub 2" 100 meter groups out of my Bulgarian AK with my handloads, and I feel better about picking up my brass when most every range these days is littered with steel 7.62x39 casings. Oddly enough, I've gone the reverse direction from what you're trying to do, and load the lighter 123gr AK bullets in my .303 British rounds, for reduced recoil from my No5Mk1 Jungle Carbine. The website posted below has several subsonic heavy bullet loads, but note that some of the heavy bullets are seated backwards! These are also using .308" bullets, since the owner used a .308" barrel: http://www.nucleus.com/~cronhelm/762loaddata.html I hope this helps! __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

September 1, 2002, 11:39 PM	#4
RomaRana Member Join Date: November 29, 2001 Location: Lapland Posts: 57	So far I have found this info. http://www.accuratereloading.com/76239.html "A few people reload 150gr for SKS's, but I've "NEVER" heard of anyone going higher than that for the 7.62x39 cartridge. " Soda pop like gewehr said the reason they dont load over 150 is because of the OAL in the mag. Otherwise they would have to single load like I do in my ar15 for 600 yard slowfire. I did a search here and all I could come up with was subsonic tests etc. Accurate reloading.com was getting 0.245, 0.790, and 0.872 with the 240gr SIERRA MK. Sadly I think they only make these bullets in .308 diam vel was 1793,1812 ,1870, 1914 fps __________________ Http://www.romarana.com

September 1, 2002, 11:41 PM	#5
RomaRana Member Join Date: November 29, 2001 Location: Lapland Posts: 57	Oh also, the barrel is a 1 in 10" .311 bore shillen heavy varminter. __________________ Http://www.romarana.com

September 2, 2002, 08:00 AM	#7
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	You might try searching the web for data from C. E. Harris. He did a lot of cast bullet work with the 763 X 39 and IIRC he used some bullets heavier than 150.