Old and grumpy
Single-Sixer
7.62-39 takes a .311 or .310 dia bullet. Some load a .308. My dies came with a expanding punch for both. Have any of you used .308? This will be for range/fun only. Thanks.
7.62-39 loads
- Thread starter Old and grumpy
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For what type of firearm?????????
I have 2x 7.62x39 with a .308 bore. One's a Rossi single shot & the other is a purpose built AR 15. The Rossi is (was, I haven't shot it for 15 years) a difficult specimen requiring some very creative and frustrating loading techniques. The AR is new(never fired) so no idea how it performs.
Long ago, I bought a big batch of Remington 125 grain bullets that measure .3085". These work great in all of the 7.62x39 rifles (except the SKS) that I've tried them in. No idea if this is the normal diameter of this bullet or if this is some sort of 'one size fits most' item.
I have 2x 7.62x39 with a .308 bore. One's a Rossi single shot & the other is a purpose built AR 15. The Rossi is (was, I haven't shot it for 15 years) a difficult specimen requiring some very creative and frustrating loading techniques. The AR is new(never fired) so no idea how it performs.
Long ago, I bought a big batch of Remington 125 grain bullets that measure .3085". These work great in all of the 7.62x39 rifles (except the SKS) that I've tried them in. No idea if this is the normal diameter of this bullet or if this is some sort of 'one size fits most' item.
Old and grumpy
Single-Sixer
AK 47 VSKA .
beentheredone
Single-Sixer
You are likely going to see best results with a .310 or .311, but that's not written in stone. I have seen .308 bullets do just fine in .311 bores -- and I have seen them utterly fail.
Old and grumpy
Single-Sixer
They work then. Will try a box. If it's bad I'll use them in 30/06 for the kids to plink.
Old and grumpy
Single-Sixer
I loaded Speer Gold dots .310 123gr and was happy. Just ran a test batch of Berry's plated .311 123gr at abt 2000fps and was happy. The fail was Hunter Supply cast .310?. They need to be slow and would not cycle with my spring. I found some cheep .308 to try.
"I loaded Speer Gold dots .310 123gr and was happy. Just ran a test batch of Berry's plated .311 123gr at abt 2000fps and was happy. "
Those two bullets should cover most 'need' parameters.
Those two bullets should cover most 'need' parameters.
Bad Barlow
Blackhawk
What was the powder and charge to get 2000 fps with the Berry's plated bullets,and did that load cycle your action?
I use 1680 and CFE BLK...
Check with 'Old and Grumpy'. I used 1680 for the majority of my loads with the Remington 125 grain but didn't chrono any of them. Fired through a single shot or bolt action for accuracy. SKS (single loaded) accuracy was too poor for testing.
Old and grumpy
Single-Sixer
"What was the powder and charge to get 2000 fps with the Berry's plated bullets,and did that load cycle your action?
I use 1680 and CFE BLK..."----------------- There is very little data just for Berry's. On Berry's page they say (if I read it right) to use data for any bullet of the same size and shape. I picked up the "One Caliber" book from Midway. In it I found the data from Speer for 123gr . They list data for IMR 4895 and IMR 4227 with starting loads very close to 2000fps. Starting for 4227 is 1976fps max 2214fps. Starting for 4895 is 2088fps max 2198fps. I had 4895 so I used the starting 27gr charge. I only loaded and ran 20 rounds to see if it would cycle. In my VSKA with the heavy spring from Mcarbo https://www.mcarbo.com/ak-47-extra-power-recoil-spring.aspx it cycled perfect. This is also the load I used for Gold Dots. Next test batch I will cut the 4895 to 26.5gr. That will put it under the 2000fps max Berry's recommends.-- Buy the book it's on sale 567 loads 26 powders. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012856166?pid=360676 The Speer data is for .310 and Berry's is .311. BUT Berry's is soft plated not jacketed.
I use 1680 and CFE BLK..."----------------- There is very little data just for Berry's. On Berry's page they say (if I read it right) to use data for any bullet of the same size and shape. I picked up the "One Caliber" book from Midway. In it I found the data from Speer for 123gr . They list data for IMR 4895 and IMR 4227 with starting loads very close to 2000fps. Starting for 4227 is 1976fps max 2214fps. Starting for 4895 is 2088fps max 2198fps. I had 4895 so I used the starting 27gr charge. I only loaded and ran 20 rounds to see if it would cycle. In my VSKA with the heavy spring from Mcarbo https://www.mcarbo.com/ak-47-extra-power-recoil-spring.aspx it cycled perfect. This is also the load I used for Gold Dots. Next test batch I will cut the 4895 to 26.5gr. That will put it under the 2000fps max Berry's recommends.-- Buy the book it's on sale 567 loads 26 powders. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012856166?pid=360676 The Speer data is for .310 and Berry's is .311. BUT Berry's is soft plated not jacketed.
Old and grumpy
Single-Sixer
Did not chrono them. 10" plate at 100 yards standing up was OK. The Berry's is for cheap fun/practice only. If I load more Gold dot I will increase the charge some.
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Bad Barlow
Blackhawk
Thanks for the replies... I'll buy the little load book.
I tried 2400, but couldn't get a safe load to cycle in the mini-30, but I didn't think to try 4227.
Old and grumpy
Single-Sixer
Let us know what works. This is sort of a gun by gun guessing game when we have a hard max fps to hit.
Old and grumpy
Single-Sixer
In the book Hornady lists 7 powders at or under 2000fps for 123gr. You can use 125gr data for the 123. Just don't go the other way.
shoot to thrill
Single-Sixer
you can get over 2600 FPS with a 123 gr bullet with CFE black powder if you are looking for that velocity
Old and grumpy
Single-Sixer
I am loading Berry's plated 123. Max fps for them according to Berry's is 2000. They are cheap for range fun. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018185928?pid=963481
Bad Barlow
Blackhawk
Thanks for the reply, but the Berry's/Xtreme plated are velocity limited. I need the sweet spot that's around that,AND will cycle my Mini- 30.
shoot to thrill
Single-Sixer
oh OK I missed the velocity limitation. are they that much cheaper? what is the cost for 100?
Bad Barlow
Blackhawk
Usually $40/250
shoot to thrill
Single-Sixer
that is a good deal. you can afford to shoot and practice without taking out a loan lol
