Reloading 7.62x39 for AR15

boostedtt91 · February 3, 2012, 04:15 PM

I have a Bushmaster 7.62x39 AR-15 and have reloaded a few hundred rounds for it so far. I have called Bushmaster back when they cared and asked them what size bullets the gun was built for and what they recommend i use. They told me to use .308 bullets which i have been using since there is ALOT more options.
The bullets they sell specifically for 7.62x39 are all .310 diameter and 123-125Grain which i have never actually used before. Is there anyone else out there that is reloading for this caliber for a AR or other rifles. What bullets are you all using? You only using the 7.62x39 specific bullets are .308 bullets?

steve4102 · February 4, 2012, 09:06 AM

I have an Armalite in 7.62x39. Mine takes the .310-.311 bullets. I slugged the bore to find out for sure, you should too.

Jim243 · February 4, 2012, 11:13 AM

I load for a Mini-30 and SKS in 7.62x39. You will find that they use .310 and not .308 bullets. Slugging your rifle's chamber to find out would not be a bad idea, however, .308 will be a bit too thin and accuracy will suffer.

Jim

boostedtt91 · February 6, 2012, 12:38 AM

What bullets you using

chris in va · February 6, 2012, 02:05 AM

Quote:

They told me to use .308 bullets which i have been using

But anyway, slug your bore to be sure.

CowTowner · February 6, 2012, 12:10 PM

I load for a Model1 built upper in the same caliber. I was told .310 or .311 by them.
Slug the barrel is the best advise.

armoredman · February 6, 2012, 02:20 PM

If your barrel is .308 you have a lot of choices.
If it is .310/.311 you still have some good choices. I discovered the Berry's 125 grain .311 plated bullet works very well in my CZ 527M. I use that one ad the Hornaday .311 123 jacketed soft point, more expensive but a good bullet.

boostedtt91 · February 6, 2012, 05:08 PM

Its obviously gotta at least be at .310 cause i shoot alot of Yugo Surplus ammo for plinking which is bigger than a .308 and all commerical 7.62x39 ammo is .310-.310 so im assuming it is.

I just don't like the bullet choices for it since you really only can buy either soft points or fmj for it. Nobody makes match bullets or polymer tip bullets for reloading that i have seen. Just curious what bullets everyone has been using for reloading that have worked well for them.

steve4102 · February 6, 2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

I just don't like the bullet choices for it since you really only can buy either soft points or fmj for it. Nobody makes match bullets or polymer tip bullets for reloading that i have seen.

Here ya go.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/18013

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/23815

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...ategoryId/921?

CowTowner · February 8, 2012, 11:44 AM

Lots of choices.

http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm...|281|1079|1109

boostedtt91 · February 11, 2012, 09:07 PM

whats the best thing to use to slug the bore that won't hurt the chrome lining?

boostedtt91 · February 12, 2012, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Lots of choices.

http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm...|281|1079|1109

well most of those are for the .303 british which is to heavy of the bullet, but yea basically you have 3 choices ; FMJ, V-Max or SP. Im just saying for how popular of the caliber it is, i wish they would start making some match ammo

February 3, 2012, 04:15 PM	#1
boostedtt91 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Location: Danville, Pa Posts: 520	Reloading 7.62x39 for AR15 I have a Bushmaster 7.62x39 AR-15 and have reloaded a few hundred rounds for it so far. I have called Bushmaster back when they cared and asked them what size bullets the gun was built for and what they recommend i use. They told me to use .308 bullets which i have been using since there is ALOT more options. The bullets they sell specifically for 7.62x39 are all .310 diameter and 123-125Grain which i have never actually used before. Is there anyone else out there that is reloading for this caliber for a AR or other rifles. What bullets are you all using? You only using the 7.62x39 specific bullets are .308 bullets?

February 4, 2012, 11:13 AM	#3
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	I load for a Mini-30 and SKS in 7.62x39. You will find that they use .310 and not .308 bullets. Slugging your rifle's chamber to find out would not be a bad idea, however, .308 will be a bit too thin and accuracy will suffer. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

February 6, 2012, 12:10 PM	#6
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	I load for a Model1 built upper in the same caliber. I was told .310 or .311 by them. Slug the barrel is the best advise. __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

February 8, 2012, 11:44 AM	#10
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	Lots of choices. http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm...\|281\|1079\|1109 __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

February 4, 2012, 09:06 AM	#2
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	I have an Armalite in 7.62x39. Mine takes the .310-.311 bullets. I slugged the bore to find out for sure, you should too.

February 6, 2012, 12:38 AM	#4
boostedtt91 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Location: Danville, Pa Posts: 520	What bullets you using

February 6, 2012, 02:20 PM	#7
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,297	If your barrel is .308 you have a lot of choices. If it is .310/.311 you still have some good choices. I discovered the Berry's 125 grain .311 plated bullet works very well in my CZ 527M. I use that one ad the Hornaday .311 123 jacketed soft point, more expensive but a good bullet.

February 6, 2012, 05:08 PM	#8
boostedtt91 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Location: Danville, Pa Posts: 520	Its obviously gotta at least be at .310 cause i shoot alot of Yugo Surplus ammo for plinking which is bigger than a .308 and all commerical 7.62x39 ammo is .310-.310 so im assuming it is. I just don't like the bullet choices for it since you really only can buy either soft points or fmj for it. Nobody makes match bullets or polymer tip bullets for reloading that i have seen. Just curious what bullets everyone has been using for reloading that have worked well for them.

February 11, 2012, 09:07 PM	#11
boostedtt91 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2011 Location: Danville, Pa Posts: 520	whats the best thing to use to slug the bore that won't hurt the chrome lining?