Reloading 7.62x39mm

SilentGrunt · February 27, 2010, 05:15 PM

1.) Can you reload the Monarch or Wolf 7.62x39 cases? Y'know, the cartridges with the steel cases and the weird, sticky, reddish substance around the primers?

2.) Is there anything I should know about casting my own bullets for 7.62x39mm?

3.) Will you even save money reloading 7.62x39 rather than buying Wolf ammo?

4.) First of all, I don't know much about reloading... But is this website a good place to learn? - http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm....reloading.html

Thanks folks.

**Unclenick** · February 27, 2010, 07:17 PM

Welcome to the forum.

4.) I don't know that site. There's lots of information here, but you really want to buy a decent book on the topic so you can set it on the bench and refer to it as you go. Lyman's 49th Reloading Manual is a good one. Lee Precision has a lot of help videos on their site specific to their equipment, but a lot of what they show is generally applicable.

3.) Depends what you mean by saving money? Most of us admit that any money we "save" just winds up spent anyway because we shoot more. In general money is saved because the brass is reused. I've not looked for bullets for awhile for that round, so I'll leave it to someone more current to come up with today's numbers.

2.) Yes. You'll have to say what the gun is to get specific help. Gas guns will all require you to use gas checks.

1.) Probably not. Some of the Wolf steel .45 ACP cases are Boxer primed and I've accidentally loaded them in a Dillon 1050 when they got past my inspection (now use a magnet to get them out). They require noticeably more force on the operating handle going into a carbide pistol sizing die. That would be much worse in a steel die with a bottleneck case. Plus, the life expectancy is shorter than brass as the steel develops neck splits easily. I don't know if their 7.62x39 is Boxer primed or not? In either case, their not meant to be reloaded. Only Boxer primed brass cases are.

Dave R · February 27, 2010, 07:33 PM

You cannot reload Wolf cases. They are Berdan primed, not boxer primes. Berdan cases are not reloadable without major equipment and hassles. Virtually all reloading equipment is for boxer primed cases.

You can tell if brass is Berdan or Boxer by looking at the bottom of the inside of the case. If there is a single hole in the center, you can reload it. If there are two small holes offset from the center, you can't reload it.

There are reloadable cases for 7.62X39 available, if you want to reload it. But you won't save that much over cheap Wolf ammo.

qcpunk · February 27, 2010, 09:59 PM

It is also not advisable to reload any steel casings anyways. The steel is much much harder than brass and you will have a tough time resizing. Besides, Wolf is dirt cheap compared to other brands.

4) Buy the Lymann 49, Speer 14, and ABC's of Reloading. These books will help you far more than ANY website really can. With the Lymann and Speer manuals you will get about 90% of load recipes at your fingertips. The ABCs will really give you all of the DOs and DONTs.

medalguy · February 27, 2010, 10:27 PM

To comment on DaveR's comment that you will not save money reloading 7.62 x 39: Not necessarily true. You can buy new brass and load it one time. The cost is about equal to the cost of new Wolf ammo. No savings here. However, the Wolf is steel and not reloadable. If you buy, say, new Winchester brass and fire it once, the next time it's FREE. Then you start saving money. As long as you don't load the brass too hot you should be able to get 15 loadings out of it.

armoredman · February 27, 2010, 11:04 PM

I reload 7.62x39mm, and I don't just do it for the cost savings. I do have a mould, but I haven't cast any yet, still working on a bunch of jacketed.
I also reload because last year, when nobody had 7.62x39mm around here for love nor money, and cases of Wolf tripled in price, when you could find them...I was still shooting.
Lastly, I do it because loading is a fun, relaxing and productive hobby.

Get a manual, preferably three. I don't know the website you referanced, but right here on TFL you can find good info. Also, castboolits.gunloads.com is a great casting resource.

My vz-58 loves a 123gr Hornady SP over 24grains of Accurate Arms 1680 @ 2.17 COAL, light FCD, great round.

Shoney · February 28, 2010, 01:25 AM

SilentGrunt

WELCOME TO TFL!!!!

4. I looked thru the site, and concluded that although there is good information, it does not cover the needs of a new reloader. You are much better off getting "several" good loading manuals.

I would load 7.62x39, but there is no source of inexpensive reloadable cases at this time. You can buy loaded cartridges at less of a cost than reloadable brass.

Cast bullets are not good to use in gas guns as they plug the gas ports.

much ado · February 28, 2010, 11:34 AM

I know that reloading this cartridge is somewhat rare.I have an AR with my only upper being a 7.62x39.I decided to go that way in the rush following the election...the price of mid level AKs reaching the upper level price and having some experience with M16s from 40 + years ago.I collected some new American made ammo while going through the wait for my upper from Del Ton and can say that the American made ammo(Federal and R-P)functions fine in a carbine that should be over-gassed but in my case isn`t...it needs full power ammo to function.You can buy new brass-cased ammo from Cabelas(MFS) or from SGCUSA(Fiocchi) for .40c a round and amortize downward from there.I bought 200 rounds(MFS) from Cabelas in December and although fairly accurate in an open sighted AR with a so-so trigger it failed to fully operate about 20% of the time.If I was looking today I would try the Fiocchi.My rifle shoots Comm Bloc Yugo fairly well and reliably also but I don`t feel like cleaning it every time I shoot it so I kind of save that for the the 3rd or 4th outing when I`m going to clean it anyway.I have reloaded most of my earlier purchase Fed and R-P cases 10 or more times and they aren`t looking so good but still firing.I have tumbled them a couple of times.I use AA1680 powder primarily and you can get Hornady 123 SPs or V-Max fairly reasonably from Grafs in bulk.Try the math and see how it works for you. John

uncyboo · February 28, 2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

But is this website a good place to learn? -

No. The best place to learn to handload is get a manual from a major manufacturer (Speer, Hornady, Nosler, etc.) and read it. Then read it again.

teeroux · February 28, 2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

You cannot reload Wolf cases. They are Berdan primed, not boxer primes. Berdan cases are not reloadable without major equipment and hassles. Virtually all reloading equipment is for boxer primed cases

Not quite there is a guy on youtube that does it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mbf4C-8ViM

I wouldn't waste my time or equipment with it but he just punches out the berdan anvil and primer with his decapper.

SilentGrunt · February 28, 2010, 04:30 PM

Thanks, guys. I'll stick with buying new wolf ammo. But in the future some time, when I get an FN FAL, I'll start reloading .308 Winchester.

February 27, 2010, 05:15 PM	#1
SilentGrunt Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2010 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana; various locations in Mississippi Posts: 8	Reloading 7.62x39mm 1.) Can you reload the Monarch or Wolf 7.62x39 cases? Y'know, the cartridges with the steel cases and the weird, sticky, reddish substance around the primers? 2.) Is there anything I should know about casting my own bullets for 7.62x39mm? 3.) Will you even save money reloading 7.62x39 rather than buying Wolf ammo? 4.) First of all, I don't know much about reloading... But is this website a good place to learn? - http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm....reloading.html Thanks folks.

February 27, 2010, 07:17 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,733	Welcome to the forum. 4.) I don't know that site. There's lots of information here, but you really want to buy a decent book on the topic so you can set it on the bench and refer to it as you go. Lyman's 49th Reloading Manual is a good one. Lee Precision has a lot of help videos on their site specific to their equipment, but a lot of what they show is generally applicable. 3.) Depends what you mean by saving money? Most of us admit that any money we "save" just winds up spent anyway because we shoot more. In general money is saved because the brass is reused. I've not looked for bullets for awhile for that round, so I'll leave it to someone more current to come up with today's numbers. 2.) Yes. You'll have to say what the gun is to get specific help. Gas guns will all require you to use gas checks. 1.) Probably not. Some of the Wolf steel .45 ACP cases are Boxer primed and I've accidentally loaded them in a Dillon 1050 when they got past my inspection (now use a magnet to get them out). They require noticeably more force on the operating handle going into a carbide pistol sizing die. That would be much worse in a steel die with a bottleneck case. Plus, the life expectancy is shorter than brass as the steel develops neck splits easily. I don't know if their 7.62x39 is Boxer primed or not? In either case, their not meant to be reloaded. Only Boxer primed brass cases are. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 27, 2010, 10:27 PM	#5
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	Reloading 7.62 x 39 To comment on DaveR's comment that you will not save money reloading 7.62 x 39: Not necessarily true. You can buy new brass and load it one time. The cost is about equal to the cost of new Wolf ammo. No savings here. However, the Wolf is steel and not reloadable. If you buy, say, new Winchester brass and fire it once, the next time it's FREE. Then you start saving money. As long as you don't load the brass too hot you should be able to get 15 loadings out of it.

February 28, 2010, 11:34 AM	#8
much ado Junior Member Join Date: January 8, 2006 Posts: 2	7.62X39 Reloading I know that reloading this cartridge is somewhat rare.I have an AR with my only upper being a 7.62x39.I decided to go that way in the rush following the election...the price of mid level AKs reaching the upper level price and having some experience with M16s from 40 + years ago.I collected some new American made ammo while going through the wait for my upper from Del Ton and can say that the American made ammo(Federal and R-P)functions fine in a carbine that should be over-gassed but in my case isn`t...it needs full power ammo to function.You can buy new brass-cased ammo from Cabelas(MFS) or from SGCUSA(Fiocchi) for .40c a round and amortize downward from there.I bought 200 rounds(MFS) from Cabelas in December and although fairly accurate in an open sighted AR with a so-so trigger it failed to fully operate about 20% of the time.If I was looking today I would try the Fiocchi.My rifle shoots Comm Bloc Yugo fairly well and reliably also but I don`t feel like cleaning it every time I shoot it so I kind of save that for the the 3rd or 4th outing when I`m going to clean it anyway.I have reloaded most of my earlier purchase Fed and R-P cases 10 or more times and they aren`t looking so good but still firing.I have tumbled them a couple of times.I use AA1680 powder primarily and you can get Hornady 123 SPs or V-Max fairly reasonably from Grafs in bulk.Try the math and see how it works for you. John

February 27, 2010, 07:33 PM	#3
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	You cannot reload Wolf cases. They are Berdan primed, not boxer primes. Berdan cases are not reloadable without major equipment and hassles. Virtually all reloading equipment is for boxer primed cases. You can tell if brass is Berdan or Boxer by looking at the bottom of the inside of the case. If there is a single hole in the center, you can reload it. If there are two small holes offset from the center, you can't reload it. There are reloadable cases for 7.62X39 available, if you want to reload it. But you won't save that much over cheap Wolf ammo.

February 27, 2010, 09:59 PM	#4
qcpunk Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Farmsville, AZ Posts: 305	It is also not advisable to reload any steel casings anyways. The steel is much much harder than brass and you will have a tough time resizing. Besides, Wolf is dirt cheap compared to other brands. 4) Buy the Lymann 49, Speer 14, and ABC's of Reloading. These books will help you far more than ANY website really can. With the Lymann and Speer manuals you will get about 90% of load recipes at your fingertips. The ABCs will really give you all of the DOs and DONTs.

February 27, 2010, 11:04 PM	#6
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,480	I reload 7.62x39mm, and I don't just do it for the cost savings. I do have a mould, but I haven't cast any yet, still working on a bunch of jacketed. I also reload because last year, when nobody had 7.62x39mm around here for love nor money, and cases of Wolf tripled in price, when you could find them...I was still shooting. Lastly, I do it because loading is a fun, relaxing and productive hobby. Get a manual, preferably three. I don't know the website you referanced, but right here on TFL you can find good info. Also, castboolits.gunloads.com is a great casting resource. My vz-58 loves a 123gr Hornady SP over 24grains of Accurate Arms 1680 @ 2.17 COAL, light FCD, great round.

February 28, 2010, 01:25 AM	#7
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	SilentGrunt WELCOME TO TFL!!!! 4. I looked thru the site, and concluded that although there is good information, it does not cover the needs of a new reloader. You are much better off getting "several" good loading manuals. I would load 7.62x39, but there is no source of inexpensive reloadable cases at this time. You can buy loaded cartridges at less of a cost than reloadable brass. Cast bullets are not good to use in gas guns as they plug the gas ports.

February 28, 2010, 04:30 PM	#11
SilentGrunt Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2010 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana; various locations in Mississippi Posts: 8	Thanks, guys. I'll stick with buying new wolf ammo. But in the future some time, when I get an FN FAL, I'll start reloading .308 Winchester.