questions on reloading 7.62x39

gendoc · February 15, 2009, 02:39 PM

i have alot of imr-4895 powder, and would like to know if any of you have used this powder for reloading the 39???
i also have an abundance of .308 speer 130gr hp
i see lots of info for imr-4227 and imr-4198 and some for h4895.
but this is for .311 projectiles.

i'm interested in staying low cup, around 30-35k.
with the imr-4895 and .308 speer 130gr hp's

any thoughts on this???
i'm using a h&r handi rifle which would handle the 4227 and 4198 pressures
but for my grandson's size, i'd like to stay with low pressure.

i just can't find the right info in the reloading manuals i have.

close, but no exact matches.

and i DO believe in the horseshoes and handgrenade thing

any info would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks

**Unclenick** · February 15, 2009, 03:16 PM

For light loads you want the faster powders. A slower powder just burns incompletely and, because it makes more residual muzzle pressure, its rocket effect causes it to recoil more than a smaller charge of quicker powder that produces the same muzzle velocity will.

An actual load is another matter. You have .311 recipes. What groove diameter does your bore actually have? Shooting undersize bullets is something you can get away with (within limits) in full pressure loads that can bump the bullets up to fill the grooves, but in low pressure loads it is likely to be inaccurate.

gendoc · February 15, 2009, 03:31 PM

handi rifles have a .308 bore.
so your saying that, i can use imr 4227 with reduced charge and be more accurate than a low pressure charge using a slower burning powder????

45Marlin carbine · February 15, 2009, 07:20 PM

IMO you will do better with 322 or sometning in that range, 4198 is a good powder.
4895 is too slow for any but very heavy slugs in the X39.

**Unclenick** · February 15, 2009, 11:59 PM

Good guesses. Running that cartridge in QuickLOAD with that 130 grains Speer gives good velocities with slightly compressed loads of H4198 and H322. IMR 4198 and Vihtvuori N120 all do well too. But as I fiddle with barrel length some of the others switch position. The one most consistently near the top under all conditions is Ramshot X-terminator. It's also pretty economical compared with others, and I think I would give it a try if it is available to you.

Interestingly, a load of 296 showed well, but it doesn't fill the case adequately, and that powder is hard to light up to start with. I'd stay with the above choices.

steve4102 · February 16, 2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

i just can't find the right info in the reloading manuals i have.

close, but no exact matches.

The published load data in the manuals is not a recipe, only a guide. Finding an exact match is impossible, to many variables, lot numbers, temp, altitude even the firearm used. The best we can do is gather as much info as we can, start low and work up. It's the only safe way to do it.

For a 130gr bullet in my 7.62x39 I like N-130, H 322 and AA 2015, in that order.

Lets see if this link will work.

http://stevespages.com/310_1_130.html

Sierra #5 has data for a 135gr bullet. These are Max loads listed.

N-120 24.1gr
IMR4227 22.4gr
N-130 26gr
AA1680 24.2gr
H4198 24.7gr
IMR4198 24.9gr
AA 2015 27.4gr
R-7 24.5gr
Benchmark 28.8gr

steve4102 · February 16, 2009, 08:45 AM

Lyman 48 has data for a 130gr bullet. These are max loads listed.

IMR 4227 21.5gr 44,700 cup
N-130 27.5gr 39,100
AA1680 23.8gr 40,100
IMR4198 23.4gr 43,400
R-7 26.0gr 42,600
H-335 33.2gr 36,800

gendoc · February 17, 2009, 06:18 PM

well, i tried the imr-4895.
results where 1795fps with about more unspent powder in the barrel
than it burned.........
thats exactly what y'all told me....
thank you all for the info.
next i'll try 4227 and then 4198.
the exotic types y'all talked about will have to be purchased.
this is a learning experiance, and i have learned alot so far!!!
but, @1795fps it'll light a match. 50yrds 1" groups.
did'nt shoot many cause the barrel fouling.
twist rate is 1-9 3/4 according to the handi guru????
again thanks for the data and appreciated info

sea-ya
gendoc

gendoc · February 21, 2009, 02:17 PM

tested imr-4227 with 20gr = 2112fps and very clean burning.
and groups were very tight @ 100yrds, 1" or less
with minimum recoil.
my grandson likes the performance
he cloverleafed @50yrds many times
and even a couple of single holes.
he's ready for me to call in the yotes for him.....
now, that gives me back my 220 swift for the dogs!!!!!!!!

sea-ya....

totalloser · February 25, 2009, 12:51 AM

"handi rifles have a .308 bore.
so your saying that, i can use imr 4227 with reduced charge and be more accurate than a low pressure charge using a slower burning powder????"

??? That seems kinda irresponsible of the manufacturer- Does that mean you cannot shoot factory 7.62x39 ammo? Most x39 and x54 ammo is in the realms of .310", not .308" and might be too fat to not create an overpressure in a .308" bore.

If I am misunderstanding, and you have a normal x39 bore of .310-.311, www.patsreloading.com has 150grain fmjbt projectiles (.310") for $80 per thou, right now. I am shooting them in .308win, but I bought the ones resized to .308". Pretty swingin deal either way. Some guy on www.perfectunion.com found an even better deal on them, though. Mine appeared to be virgin, not pulled.

February 15, 2009, 02:39 PM	#1
gendoc Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: lowest bama Posts: 53	questions on reloading 7.62x39 i have alot of imr-4895 powder, and would like to know if any of you have used this powder for reloading the 39??? i also have an abundance of .308 speer 130gr hp i see lots of info for imr-4227 and imr-4198 and some for h4895. but this is for .311 projectiles. i'm interested in staying low cup, around 30-35k. with the imr-4895 and .308 speer 130gr hp's any thoughts on this??? i'm using a h&r handi rifle which would handle the 4227 and 4198 pressures but for my grandson's size, i'd like to stay with low pressure. i just can't find the right info in the reloading manuals i have. close, but no exact matches. and i DO believe in the horseshoes and handgrenade thing any info would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!! thanks

February 15, 2009, 03:16 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	For light loads you want the faster powders. A slower powder just burns incompletely and, because it makes more residual muzzle pressure, its rocket effect causes it to recoil more than a smaller charge of quicker powder that produces the same muzzle velocity will. An actual load is another matter. You have .311 recipes. What groove diameter does your bore actually have? Shooting undersize bullets is something you can get away with (within limits) in full pressure loads that can bump the bullets up to fill the grooves, but in low pressure loads it is likely to be inaccurate. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 21, 2009, 02:17 PM	#9
gendoc Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: lowest bama Posts: 53	tested imr-4227 with 20gr = 2112fps and very clean burning. and groups were very tight @ 100yrds, 1" or less with minimum recoil. my grandson likes the performance he cloverleafed @50yrds many times and even a couple of single holes. he's ready for me to call in the yotes for him..... now, that gives me back my 220 swift for the dogs!!!!!!!! sea-ya.... Last edited by gendoc; February 21, 2009 at 02:22 PM.

February 25, 2009, 12:51 AM	#10
totalloser Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, CA Posts: 679	"handi rifles have a .308 bore. so your saying that, i can use imr 4227 with reduced charge and be more accurate than a low pressure charge using a slower burning powder????" ??? That seems kinda irresponsible of the manufacturer- Does that mean you cannot shoot factory 7.62x39 ammo? Most x39 and x54 ammo is in the realms of .310", not .308" and might be too fat to not create an overpressure in a .308" bore. If I am misunderstanding, and you have a normal x39 bore of .310-.311, www.patsreloading.com has 150grain fmjbt projectiles (.310") for $80 per thou, right now. I am shooting them in .308win, but I bought the ones resized to .308". Pretty swingin deal either way. Some guy on www.perfectunion.com found an even better deal on them, though. Mine appeared to be virgin, not pulled. __________________ You only truly believe in freedom if you believe in the freedom of those you disagree.

February 15, 2009, 03:31 PM	#3
gendoc Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: lowest bama Posts: 53	handi rifles have a .308 bore. so your saying that, i can use imr 4227 with reduced charge and be more accurate than a low pressure charge using a slower burning powder????

February 15, 2009, 07:20 PM	#4
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	IMO you will do better with 322 or sometning in that range, 4198 is a good powder. 4895 is too slow for any but very heavy slugs in the X39.

February 15, 2009, 11:59 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Good guesses. Running that cartridge in QuickLOAD with that 130 grains Speer gives good velocities with slightly compressed loads of H4198 and H322. IMR 4198 and Vihtvuori N120 all do well too. But as I fiddle with barrel length some of the others switch position. The one most consistently near the top under all conditions is Ramshot X-terminator. It's also pretty economical compared with others, and I think I would give it a try if it is available to you. Interestingly, a load of 296 showed well, but it doesn't fill the case adequately, and that powder is hard to light up to start with. I'd stay with the above choices. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 16, 2009, 08:45 AM	#7
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	Lyman 48 has data for a 130gr bullet. These are max loads listed. IMR 4227 21.5gr 44,700 cup N-130 27.5gr 39,100 AA1680 23.8gr 40,100 IMR4198 23.4gr 43,400 R-7 26.0gr 42,600 H-335 33.2gr 36,800

February 17, 2009, 06:18 PM	#8
gendoc Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: lowest bama Posts: 53	well, i tried the imr-4895. results where 1795fps with about more unspent powder in the barrel than it burned......... thats exactly what y'all told me.... thank you all for the info. next i'll try 4227 and then 4198. the exotic types y'all talked about will have to be purchased. this is a learning experiance, and i have learned alot so far!!! but, @1795fps it'll light a match. 50yrds 1" groups. did'nt shoot many cause the barrel fouling. twist rate is 1-9 3/4 according to the handi guru???? again thanks for the data and appreciated info sea-ya gendoc