VII. Reloading Information
D. Reloading Information by Calibre
1. Reloading the 7.62x39 Cartridge
by Bob Horn (bob.horn@chrysalis.org)
Reloading the 7.62x39 Cartridge
bob.horn@chrysalis.org
Last Revised January 10, 1995
------------------------------
Subject: 1. Introduction
The 7.62x39 cartridge is, in many ways, a reloader's dream. It's
economical to load and exceptionally accurate (even questionable surplus
ammo is often more accurate than one would expect).
Nevertheless, it hasn't piqued the interest of reloaders in the same way
as it's smaller offspring, the .22 and 6mm PPC cartridges. This is
probably due to the availability of inexpensive East European and
Chinese ammunition. After all, reloading is primarily an economical
measure for most shooters, and loaded ammunition has, until recently,
been cheaper than reloads.
All this started to change in the U.S. after the importation of arms and
ammunition from China was banned by executive order. The BATF has
further complicated matters by classifying ComBloc steel and steel-core
bulleted ammunition as "Armor Piercing." Chinese ammunition, though
still available, isn't as cheap as it once was. Russian ammunition is
often little less expensive than reloadable U.S.-manufactured
cartridges.
For the first time since the 1968 ban on U.S. imports of surplus arms
and ammunition was lifted in 1986, reloading the 7.62x39 offers not only
substantially improved performance, but economy as well.
------------------------------
Subject: 2. Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Table of Contents
3. Can Steel-cased Ammunition be Reloaded?
4. Reloadable (Boxer-primed) Brass
5. Bullets
6. Sources
7. Cast Bullets
8. Loading Data: Disclaimer and Safety Notes
9. Loading Data from C.E. Harris
10. Handloads With Accurate Arms Powders
11. Handloads With Hercules Powders
12. Handloads With Hodgdon Powders
------------------------------
Subject: 3. Can Steel-cased Ammunition be Reloaded?
This is probably the most frequently asked question about reloading the
7.62x39. Opinion is sharply divided on the subject, with some taking
the position that steel cases are perfectly OK to reload, and others
that it is not only impractical, but downright dangerous.
Regardless, the availability of reloadable, boxer-primed brass and the
expense and difficulty of dealing with Berdan primers makes this a
dubious practice in this writer's opinion, at least in the U.S.
------------------------------
Subject: 4. Reloadable (Boxer-primed) Brass
The 7.62x39 cartridge is manufactured by Federal, Remington, Winchester,
PMC, and Lapua, including inexpensive "white box" FMJ rounds from
Federal (American Eagle), Winchester (USA brand), and PMC.
Brass is available from Federal, Winchester, Remington, IMI, and Lapua
(and, no doubt, others this writer has neglected).
------------------------------
Subject: 5. Bullets
Bullets suitable for the 7.62x39 are available from many of the major
U.S. manufacturers, although they are sometimes listed under ".303
British." Look for a .310- to .311-inch diameter bullet in the 120- to
130-grain weight range. Acceptable results have also been reported
using .308-inch, 150-grain jacketed bullets intended for the .30-30.
------------------------------
Subject: 6. Sources
The following suppliers list 7.62x39 components in their most recent
catalogs. The list is by no means exhaustive.
Gander Mountain (Brass, Bullets)
Box 248, Hwy W
Wilmot, WI 53192
USA
For Orders Call: (800) 558-9410
Fax Orders: (800) 533-2828
Int'l Orders: (414) 862-3406
Int'l Fax Orders: (414) 862-3516
Customer Service: (800) 426-3371
Commercial Accts: (414) 862-3405
TDD: (800) 558-3554
French/Spanish Translators: (800) 558-9410
Graf & Sons (Brass, Bullets, Bullet Moulds)
Rt. 3, Hwy. 54 S.
Mexico, MO 65265
USA
Technical Service or Questions: (314) 581-2266
Fax: (314) 581-2875
Telephone Orders: (800) 531-2666
Midway (Brass, Bullets)
5875-L W. Van Horn Tavern Rd.
Columbia, MO 65203
USA
Telephone: (800) 243-3220
Fax: (314) 446-1018
Natchez Shooters Supplies (Bullets, Bullet Moulds)
Box 22247
Chattanooga, TN 37422
USA
Telephone Orders: (800) 251-7839
Information and TN res: (615) 899-0499
Fax: (615) 892-4482
Widener's Reloading and Shooting Supply, Inc. (IMI Brass, Bullets)
P.O. Box 3009 CRS
Johnson City, TN 37602
USA
Telephone: (615) 282-6786
Fax: (615) 282-6651
------------------------------
Subject: 7. Cast Bullets
The only cast bullet moulds truly proper for the 7.62x39 are those based
on C.E. Harris's 52A design for NEI. Following the demise of that
company, Harris made the design available to Lee, which produces moulds
as their 312-155-2R and TL312-160-2R designs. Now that NEI is back in
business (51583 Columbia River Hwy., Scappoose, OR 97056, USA) Walt
Melander can provide Harris's original 52A design.
Gas port fouling with self-loading rifles is surprisingly light. The
gas piston of SKS and AK-derived rifles will foul, but this is readily
taken care of with a little steel wool, Marvel Mystery Oil (or Dexron
IIe/III Automatic Transmission Fluid), and elbow grease. Harris has
reported that fouling with the Ruger Mini-30 was only a problem during
endurance testing.
------------------------------
Subject: 8. Loading Data: Disclaimer and Safety Notes
The author hereby disclaims all liability with respect to the use of
this document. Users of this document assume all risk, responsibility,
and liability whatsoever for any and all injuries (including death),
losses, or damages arising from the use of this information.
Unless otherwise noted, all charges are maximum and should be reduced
10% and worked up, looking for signs of excessive pressure. Every
attempt has been made to insure that the data are correct, however it is
recommended that they be verified with published sources wherever
possible.
------------------------------
Subject: 9. Load Data from C.E. Harris
Handloads With Midway* Cases, Winchester Large Rifle Primers
Ctg. OAL 2.19"
Source: C.E. Harris
Vel @ 15' Pressure Remarks
(f.p.s.) (c.u.p.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
123-gr. Lapua FMJ 2325 52,080 Maximum,
26.5 grs. RL-7 18 Sd 1450 Sd do not exceed
125-gr. Sierra .308 2167 43,170
24.5 grs. H4198 27 Sd 2730 Sd
125-gr. Sierra .308 2220 43,240 Compressed
28.0 grs. H322 13 Sd 740 Sd charge
123-gr. Lapua FMJ 2181 42,240
27.5 grs. H322 13 Sd 890 Sd
* Cases manufactured by Brass Extrusion Laboratories, Ltd.
Handloads With NEI 52A or Lee 312-155-2R/TL312-160-2R Cast Bullet
Source: C.E. Harris
Starting loads:
Powder Charge
---------------------------------
2400 15.0 grs.
IMR or Hodgdon 4227 16.0 grs.
IMR or Hodgdon 4198 20.0 grs.
RL-7 21.5 grs.
Miscellaneous:
Powder Charge Vel (20.5" Remarks
bbl SKS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.5-15.5 grs. 2400 Cast of wheel weights, sized
.312", good "I want to shoot NOW"
load. Consider 15.5 grs. Max.
16 grs. AA1680 1420 fps
18 grs. AA1680 1630 fps
20 grs. AA1680 Maximum load
18 grs. Olin 680** 1810 fps
19 grs. Olin 680** 1930 fps Maximum load
21.0-22.0 grs. RL-7 1900-1950 fps
28 grs. AA2230 around 2000 fps
28 grs. AA2460 "
28 grs. H335 "
** Discontinued
162-gr. cast from wheel weight alloy, no gas check:
Powder Charge
---------------------------------------------
4227 12-14 grs.
AA1680 15.0-16.0 grs.
4198 or RL-7 17.0 grs.
4895 18.0 grs.
Bullseye No more than 5 grs.
WW231 "
SR-7625 "
Green Dot "
Red Dot "
700-X "
Unique No more then 6 grs.
PB "
Herco "
SR-4756 "
------------------------------
Subject: 10. Handloads With Accurate Arms Powders
Source: Accurate Arms
Gun: SKS
Bbl Length: 24"
Primer: Fed. 210
Case: IMI
Powder Charge Vel
Bullet Type (grs.) (fps)
-------------------------------------
100 (L) 2230 27.0 1966
2460 27.5 1950
100 1680 28.5 2614
2015 28.5 2138
2230 30.0 2312
2460 30.0 2300
110 1680 28.5 2561
2015 28.5 2149
2230 30.0 2313
2460 30.0 2272
123 1680 26.5 2350
2015 28.5 2188
2230 30.0 2281
2460 30.0 2172
130 1680 26.5 2313
2015 28.5 2176
2230 30.0 2247
2460 30.0 2231
135 1680 26.5 2332
2015 28.5 2189
2230 29.5 2226
2460 30.0 2203
------------------------------
Subject: 11. Handloads With Hercules Powders
Source: Hercules
Case: Federal
Primer: CCI 200
Bbl Length: 20"
Min OAL Powder Charge Vel Pres
Bullet (inches) Type (grs.) (fps) (cup)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Speer 100gr Plinker 1.830 2400 16.5 2240 44,900
Sierra 110gr HP 2.055 2400 16.0 2115 44,800
Reloder 7 26.5 2330 38,300
Hornady 123gr SP 2.155 2400 15.3 1915 44,900
Reloder 7 25.5 2330 45,000
Sierra 150gr JP 2.000 2400 14.8 1800 45,000
Reloder 7 24.8 2145 44,600
------------------------------
Subject: 12. Handloads With Hodgdon Powders
Source: Hodgdon
Bbl Length: 24"
Max Case Length: 1.525"
Trim To Length: 1.520"
Note: Hodgdon recommends reducing listed charges by 6%
rather than 10%.
Bullet Wt. Powder Charge Vel Pres
(grs.) Type (grs.) (fps) (cup)
------------------------------------------------------
123-125 BL-C(2) 31.5 2349 38,800
H335 31.5 2408 40,900
H4895 29.0 2249 33,600
H322 29.0 2323 35,400
H4198 26.5 2378 40,400
150 BL-C(2) 29.5 2090 40,400
H335 29.0 2132 42,500
H4895 28.0 2154 39,300
H322 28.5 2192 40,400
H4198 24.5 2122 39,800
[Maintainer: the following load data was provided by Glen
Suzuki (< ahref="mailto:glensu@aloha.net">glensu@aloha.net.]
Case Trimmed Length: 1.515" Fed. Case, WIN Lge Rifle Primer
30-30 150 gr. Win.Silver Tip bullet:
24 gr. Reloader 7 (max Load) 2.050" OAL
135 gr. Sierra SPSSP .308
25 gr. Reloader 7 (max Load) 2.182
22.6 gr. IMR 4227 (max Load)
130 gr Hornady Single Shot Pistol .308
25 gr. Reloader 7 (max Load) 2.182
22.6 gr. IMR 4227 (max Load)
CAUTION
All loads listed above are safe in my firearms. All loads should be
reduced
by 10%.