Anyone reload 7.62x39mm ?

Moon · 06-20-2006, 03:04 PM

The most recent success with reloading has made me ponder the possiblities of reloading 7.62x39mm cartridges. Everybody knows that you can get junk ammo for about 12 or 13 pennies a round, but I've had trouble with accuracy issues.

Any of you homiez reload this hideous cartridge ?

WFO2 · 06-20-2006, 03:10 PM

yeah iam sure that a lot of us do.......The brass is expensive.The way I do it is to buy reloadable boxer primed ammo and shoot it and reload it.....Then you can do whatever you want.Also the steel core 54r is the same diameter....Again this is just what I have heard so it is some hints to get you going........

scheistermeister · 06-20-2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WFO2

Also the steel core 54r is the same diameter....Again this is just what I have heard so it is some hints to get you going........

the primer end of the 54r is bigger than 7.62x39

Moon · 06-20-2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scheistermeister

the primer end of the 54r is bigger than 7.62x39

I think he was referring to the bullet diameter. I could be wrong, though

scheistermeister · 06-20-2006, 03:43 PM

ahhh gotcha, i thought he was talking about cutting the cases down.

5knives · 06-20-2006, 05:42 PM

Most of the SKS's and Ak systems can bash the bejeezus out of the cases.

I do have 1000 primed new winchester cases, and the dies. But about the that time there was only FMJ available (illegal for hunting in WI). Then I got a buy on 2 cans of Romanian "semi-corrosive" SP (The most corrosive stuff I've ever seen outside of Black Powder) and started using that.

Then Wolf brought out the HP (arguably legal here) and lately their 154 gr. SP. An excellent and accurate performer, IMHO.

The net result being that I've never reloaded the 7.62x39. Cheaper to use imports, and satisfactory.

I do have two acquaintances who solved the problem (early 90's)
by simply pulling the FMJ bullets from the mostly chinese FMJ ammo available, and reloading them with the original powder and the Speer 125 gr. .303 Spitz-SP bullet (.311 dia.).

I saw them get VG accuracy at the range and both claimed excellent performance on whitetails in the 150-250 lb. range.

Because of the cartridge bashing and the full length resizing required, I'd expect a fairly short case life with brass cases.

But my biggest reason for not reloading (yet) is picking up the empties. The SKS in particular throws cases all over hell's half-acre.

Well actually the ones that go straight up and then down inside your shirt are easy to find, it's the other ones that are time consuming.

Not much help I know, but maybe this'll help keep your question "up front", there must be someone reloading them.

I'd like to hear their experience myself.

Regards,

Preacher · 06-20-2006, 06:05 PM

I haven't reloaded any, but have done some research. Here's some links that I have been studying. These links do give specific powder charges, but I think that's OK with the rules here as long as we don't post them. Fell free to dump the links if it doesn't go along with the rules.

http://www.reloadammo.com/762rload.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/7-62soviet.htm
http://www.logicsouth.com/~lcoble/dir7/762x39h.txt
http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=66
http://www.logicsouth.com/~lcoble/password/handload.html

I have caught some good deals every now and then on E-Bay for reloadable brass. Not too often, but every now and then.

Also check on Gunbroker.

Gus · 06-20-2006, 06:09 PM

5knives

That's a good suggestion pulling the bullet and reloading for accuracy. I may just try that on 30 rounds for a mag full of good stuff.

Just to see how it works.

Pogo · 06-20-2006, 07:04 PM

I don't have a problem with posting links, but I'll give a warning for everyone. You should get a reloading manual from one of the major suppliers of reloading componens or equipment such as Lyman, Hornaday, IMR, Winchester, etc and follow their recommendations for powder charge/primer combination for various weight bullets. I am very skeptical about private individuals websites who write about their super accurate loads. That's all I'm going to say on this. Yer on your own now.

And, 5Knives is right about most commie guns tearing the crap out of the cartridges. The only exception I've got is my 5.45x39 Krink. It doesn't destroy the cases all that bad. But, I don't shoot it all that much anyway.

5knives · 06-20-2006, 07:29 PM

Good post

, Thanks for the information!

Just an add on to Pogo's post, if you check the stickies at the top of the reloading forum, you'll find links to the Powder Manufacturers Web sites.

And in them you will find specific loads and recommended loadings.

Remember their loads are SPECIFIC, Primer, Case, Bullet and Powder.

Ad Hoc substitutions are unwise, always. Same as with the $30 Bullet mfrs., load books.

Safety First Guys ... because an eye or a hand is a terrible thing to waste. We weren't issued spares!

Regards

Rew · 06-20-2006, 10:19 PM

Agreed I have no problem with links. I don't load the 7.62x39 or the 54r. I have about 1000 rounds of 54r and 350 or so 39 I just don't shoot either enough to reload for them. If the price comes down again on 39 and the availability goes up I'll pick up a 1000. I do cast a bullet that will work in either one or the .303, and sized to .309 works in my .30's.

magnus392 · 06-20-2006, 11:19 PM

Hey Moon...Jay has some brass cased 7.62x39 but it is horribly over priced.

ACOG · 06-21-2006, 06:38 AM

I have seen 50rds of Winchester 7.62x39 NIW brass for $12.74 a bag don't know if thats much of a deal or not.

Pogo · 06-21-2006, 07:14 AM

You guys might keep watching Starline advertisements. If the supply of ammo ever becomse critically short, I'll bet Starline will make cases for them.

I like Starline cases. And, they are decently priced. http://www.starlinebrass.com/

Most SASS members use Starline cases.

Preacher · 06-21-2006, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnus392

Hey Moon...Jay has some brass cased 7.62x39 but it is horribly over priced.

That doesn't necessarily mean anything. I have some brass cased ammo that is still berdan primed.

Now back to the manuals. I've checked a few but the ones I have looked at doesn't have 7.62x39. Maybe the newer ones will now that the ammo has become more popular. I noticed Hornady is now making bullets for these.

I have a bolt-action 7.62, so I don't have to worry about the cases getting tore up too much.

06-20-2006, 03:04 PM	#1
Moon IncogNegro Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,825	Anyone reload 7.62x39mm ? The most recent success with reloading has made me ponder the possiblities of reloading 7.62x39mm cartridges. Everybody knows that you can get junk ammo for about 12 or 13 pennies a round, but I've had trouble with accuracy issues. Any of you homiez reload this hideous cartridge ? __________________ "Thou shalt not be a son-of-a-bitch". Magnus392, from Rules of Chuck 00011

06-20-2006, 06:05 PM	#7
Preacher Chaplain/Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 11,321	I haven't reloaded any, but have done some research. Here's some links that I have been studying. These links do give specific powder charges, but I think that's OK with the rules here as long as we don't post them. Fell free to dump the links if it doesn't go along with the rules. http://www.reloadammo.com/762rload.htm http://www.chuckhawks.com/7-62soviet.htm http://www.logicsouth.com/~lcoble/dir7/762x39h.txt http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=66 http://www.logicsouth.com/~lcoble/password/handload.html I have caught some good deals every now and then on E-Bay for reloadable brass. Not too often, but every now and then. Also check on Gunbroker. __________________ You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done. Ronald Reagan - 1964 ------------------------------------- Bunker Member #4.

06-20-2006, 07:04 PM	#9
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 81,997	I don't have a problem with posting links, but I'll give a warning for everyone. You should get a reloading manual from one of the major suppliers of reloading componens or equipment such as Lyman, Hornaday, IMR, Winchester, etc and follow their recommendations for powder charge/primer combination for various weight bullets. I am very skeptical about private individuals websites who write about their super accurate loads. That's all I'm going to say on this. Yer on your own now. And, 5Knives is right about most commie guns tearing the crap out of the cartridges. The only exception I've got is my 5.45x39 Krink. It doesn't destroy the cases all that bad. But, I don't shoot it all that much anyway. __________________ .................................................. ....................................… *We have met the enemy, and he is us!*

06-20-2006, 11:19 PM	#12
magnus392 Thick Skulled Southerner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NETX Posts: 1,196	Hey Moon...Jay has some brass cased 7.62x39 but it is horribly over priced. __________________ "Its all over but the cryin'!" Moonshiner Are You lookin' at Muh Mun-Kee?

06-20-2006, 03:10 PM	#2
WFO2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Heart Of Texas Posts: 2,187	yeah iam sure that a lot of us do.......The brass is expensive.The way I do it is to buy reloadable boxer primed ammo and shoot it and reload it.....Then you can do whatever you want.Also the steel core 54r is the same diameter....Again this is just what I have heard so it is some hints to get you going........

06-20-2006, 03:43 PM	#5
scheistermeister Throbbing Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,727	ahhh gotcha, i thought he was talking about cutting the cases down.

06-20-2006, 05:42 PM	#6
5knives KaBoom Kontrol Modulator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado, Western Slope Posts: 16,229	Most of the SKS's and Ak systems can bash the bejeezus out of the cases. I do have 1000 primed new winchester cases, and the dies. But about the that time there was only FMJ available (illegal for hunting in WI). Then I got a buy on 2 cans of Romanian "semi-corrosive" SP (The most corrosive stuff I've ever seen outside of Black Powder) and started using that. Then Wolf brought out the HP (arguably legal here) and lately their 154 gr. SP. An excellent and accurate performer, IMHO. The net result being that I've never reloaded the 7.62x39. Cheaper to use imports, and satisfactory. I do have two acquaintances who solved the problem (early 90's) by simply pulling the FMJ bullets from the mostly chinese FMJ ammo available, and reloading them with the original powder and the Speer 125 gr. .303 Spitz-SP bullet (.311 dia.). I saw them get VG accuracy at the range and both claimed excellent performance on whitetails in the 150-250 lb. range. Because of the cartridge bashing and the full length resizing required, I'd expect a fairly short case life with brass cases. But my biggest reason for not reloading (yet) is picking up the empties. The SKS in particular throws cases all over hell's half-acre. Well actually the ones that go straight up and then down inside your shirt are easy to find, it's the other ones that are time consuming. Not much help I know, but maybe this'll help keep your question "up front", there must be someone reloading them. I'd like to hear their experience myself. Regards,

06-20-2006, 06:09 PM	#8
Gus Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 66,849	5knives That's a good suggestion pulling the bullet and reloading for accuracy. I may just try that on 30 rounds for a mag full of good stuff. Just to see how it works.

06-20-2006, 07:29 PM	#10
5knives KaBoom Kontrol Modulator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado, Western Slope Posts: 16,229	Good post , Thanks for the information! Just an add on to Pogo's post, if you check the stickies at the top of the reloading forum, you'll find links to the Powder Manufacturers Web sites. And in them you will find specific loads and recommended loadings. Remember their loads are SPECIFIC, Primer, Case, Bullet and Powder. Ad Hoc substitutions are unwise, always. Same as with the $30 Bullet mfrs., load books. Safety First Guys ... because an eye or a hand is a terrible thing to waste. We weren't issued spares! Regards

06-20-2006, 10:19 PM	#11
Rew Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 9,710	Agreed I have no problem with links. I don't load the 7.62x39 or the 54r. I have about 1000 rounds of 54r and 350 or so 39 I just don't shoot either enough to reload for them. If the price comes down again on 39 and the availability goes up I'll pick up a 1000. I do cast a bullet that will work in either one or the .303, and sized to .309 works in my .30's.

06-21-2006, 06:38 AM	#13
ACOG Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,385	I have seen 50rds of Winchester 7.62x39 NIW brass for $12.74 a bag don't know if thats much of a deal or not.

06-21-2006, 07:14 AM	#14
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 81,997	You guys might keep watching Starline advertisements. If the supply of ammo ever becomse critically short, I'll bet Starline will make cases for them. I like Starline cases. And, they are decently priced. http://www.starlinebrass.com/ Most SASS members use Starline cases.