Pet Powders for 7.62x39
Right now I'm using AA 1680 for my 123grn loads. Tried it for the 150grn 308 bullets with 22grs of powder, but that didn't fully cycle the gun. What other powders are others using?
I use AA-1680 in my 147 gr .311 7.62x39 loads for my AK's.
For my 155 gr cast bullet loads, BLC2 has worked well at the 1800-1900 fps level.
Both of these loads function my AK's fine.
Forgot to say this is for an AR. I "hear" N-130 is a good powder. How much 1680 are you using for those loads?
Originally Posted By tkcomer:
Forgot to say this is for an AR. I "hear" N-130 is a good powder. How much 1680 are you using for those loads?
That's why I specified AK. So no help with AR chambered in 7.62x39.
I am .5 gr under max listed charge I worked up to with the 147 gr bullets.
I don't know if I could say AA1680 is my "pet" powder since I've never loaded anything else for that cartridge. The reason for that is I've never seen any load data that indicated enough potential velocity gain with another powder to the point I could justify buying a bottle to experiment with. I also load 7.62x39 exclusively for an AR.
For heavier bullets 135-150gr I like N-130 and H-322. Both of these give pretty good velocities and accuracy is excellent. Of course with these two powders and a 150gr bullet you will have a heavily compressed load, something I actually prefer.
I used to use AA-1680 but nobody carries it around here anymore so I switched to Reloader #7 and never looked back. I use it for everything from your run of the mill .310 FMJ,SP and V-MAX bullets to .311 dia. 125 and 150 gr. SP's It also works well with surplus 147 to 187 Bulgarian FMJ pulls.
When I find a SKS that want cycle with the recommended max load of Alliant 2400 and 165 gr. cast bullet I use the Reloader #7 starting load and it cycles ever time,it has so far in every version of SKS I've tested it in.
H4198
H322
AA2015
One of the reasons I asked is because so many posts say that 1680 is THE powder for the 7.62x39. But when I find people that shoot fantastic groups with good bullets, 1680 isn't the powder they're using. Then again, they don't like the IMI brass I'm using. Got a new barrel coming in for this gun as the old barrel is out of spec. I'd like to keep up with my buddies that are building Blackout ARs.
