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Posted: 3/16/2010 5:34:59 PM EDT
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Hi all,
I thought I would post this here since many of you like to see the different bullets that x39 cartridges use. Granted, these are for those of us who load our own but none the less, here are a few options that I use. L-R Wolf 122gr HP for comparison, Hornady 150gr SST (.310) , Hornady 174gr FMJBT (.3105) Lapua 200gr D166 (.310), 
Granted, the Hornady 174gr FMJBT and the Lapua will both be subsonic loads mainly but I'll be experimenting with some hot loads as well for hunting. I also have some .308 bullets that I am tinkering with but for this post I thought that everyone would like to see the .310 bullets only when compared to the Russian bullet. |
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res45,
Nice loads! How do they shoot? Here's my first subsonic loads (and my first reloads ever). The test rifle was my SKS which isn't the best but it was fun and a great step in load development for me. AKA––-I didn't blow my fool head off. L-R Hornady 220gr RNFB (.308), Lapua "subsonic" (.308), Hornady 174gr FMJBT, Hornady 174gr FMJBT loaded @ss Backwards. 
I can't find my chrono print out but they all shot really well out of the SKS. All shot a tad right at 50yrds and to compensate for Gravity's hand I had to set the rear sight to the 200m notch. |
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Nice looking rds. you have put together there,I like the dumb dumb load,I bet that puts a smack on a hard target. All my jacketed bullet loads are loaded for accuracy and are pretty close to MAX load,there mainly for hunting,target shooting and SHTF purposes. The cast bullet load is probably the only one that is even close to subsonic at around 1200 fps. with a light load of 2400 that dumps the brass right at my feet. I mainly worked it up as a cheap plinking and small game load however with a full load of 2400 it will take med size deer with no problem.
While I was adjust the sights on my Chinese to make up for the bullet drop of the heavy cast load I poked a hold in my steel target stand ,as you can see the cast lead bullets are no wimps went right through the 1/8" angle iron. What powder are you using for your sub sonic loads Red Dot? 
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Interesting about the cast bullets! Do you lube the bullets or shoot them "dry"?
I've been testing 4 different powders. IMR 4759, IMR Trailboss, Accurate 5744 and Hodgdon H110 . My FAVORITE by far is the trailboss!!! Anyway, I hope not to get this moved to the reloading section so I'll keep the recipe's out of this thread. What I hope we both (and others who chime in) can show the other members that there are a lot more options than the current factory loads. As for the dum-dum, I've only shot some water filled milk jugs and 2 liters but I want to get some bullet testing media this year for more indepth tests. I have even tinkered with an HP design but no shooting yet. It's right at 3/16" but I might experiment with different depths in the future. 
Sorry about the photo, I can't get a good view of the depth with the shine of the lead. Any other members have any home grown x39 loads they would like to share? If everyone doesn't mind, just keep it to the basics and don't offer any powder recipes please. I just want to keep it to the bullets, cartridges and targets....if possible? |
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I use the Lee .312 160 gr. gas checked tumble lube bullet designed by C.E. Harris. I use a home brew mix of Lee Alox,Johnson's paste wax and mineral spirits as a thinner to lube my bullets with. I use two light coats one before sizing and applying the gas check and one after and allow to dry before I load them up.
I've heard a lot of good thing about using trail boss in a variety of rifle cartridges,I haven't tried it as of yet I pretty much stick to Alliant 2400 or Red Dot for all my various cast rifle and handgun loads. Neither powder I use is case position or volume sensitive with reduced loads. If you want to duplicate some bullet test media take some newspapers remove all the color inserts,soak the paper overnight,remove and lightly press out the excess water. Stack the sections in 1" thicknesses and swap the folded ends of the individual stacks until you get the desired thickness. |
OK, here's my latest tinkering. a 150gr SST Wolf
Since I have over a case of Wolf left and I didn't want to waste my powder and primers I decided to let the Russians supply 3/4 of my components. Needless to say I had to tinker with the factory powder to make sure it wasn't compressed. I didn't seat it as deep as I did in the brass cases since I wanted these to be supersonic....or hope they will be. These are loaded just to the bottom of theshoulder. And yes, it's still too long for magazine use. 
Now, will the SST expand? Don't know but it will be fun to test. |
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Quoted:
No problem with the cast lead shaving lead into the gas port? No problems so far I generally shoot about 50 rds. at a time I've never had any function problems,the gas ports on SKS and AK are pretty big compared to other semi auto rifles so they don't end to have the same issue proper bullet fit and using a good lube and not putting the rifle through a torture test helps keep those problem from coming up. |
| I'm currently reloading some 7.62x39 FC brass cases with 22.5 grains of IMR 4198 with a 7.62 NATO tracer. (147 gr FMJ tracer) I seat to the max OAL. Loads in the mags ok, feeds and no noticable difference in function. OH YA, the tracers lite up about 100 yards out and burn a nice bright orange. |
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res45
I see in one of your earlier replies that you had loaded the Hornady 123gn. V-max bullet into a brass case, I load my own 7.62-39 rounds for my AR platform rifle [i do not have the bolt modification and have not modified my bolt/firing pin to ignite the steel case ammo] I am really intrested in loading this round for H/D, Hornady does list this bullet in their catalouge, so where did you buy the bullets or did you pull them and reload them into brass cases? |
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AR10Fn,
If Res45 doesn't mind me jumping in I'd like the answer your question. Graf & Sons carries them. 123gr Hornady V-max / ballistic tip |
| AR10Fn sorry I haven't been around much,as ToxicSports suggested I got mine also form Graf. They have been selling them for a couple years and when I purchased mine there were a bit cheaper than they are now. I purchased about 500 of them worked up a load my SKS rifles liked loaded up 100 rds. and put the rest in storage for a rainy day. You can use the same load data with the V-MAX as the 123 gr. Hornady SP or FMJ. I load all my 7.62 x 39 ammo. |
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Hi Toxic Sports & res45, I'm sorry - I too haven't been back to the forum in a few days, but thanks so much for the information, my son is intrested in them also,
Presently I'm shooting nosler B/T's 125 gn with a healthy charge of imr4895. but will definetly be giving graf's a call. btw haven't posted very often on the site, and offered some information based on my limited expierence on building and competing with AR's. but just wanted to say how helpful and informative ya'll have been Thanks again LR |
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