Posted: 12/14/2012 10:22:50 AM EDT
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Well guys I took the plunge and ordered a bbl. ( I am getting lazy in my old age, normally I would have bought a blank and chambered it myself, but at the price it isn't worth buying a chamber reamer and freezing my butt off in the garage doing it), dies, ctg. gauge and for it from www.wilsoncombat.com/ . As Hilljack knows I have a ton of 5.56 brass and I might as well put it to use; besides it has been a few years since I played with a new wildcat. I'll post some pics of rifle, groups and etc. when I'm able.
Edited to add: I'm going to chamber a 7.62x39 bbl (yes I have a 7.62x39 reamer with headspace gauges and also gauges for 5.45x39 in case someone has a need) when the weather warms up but will use a .308 blank since most .312 bullets suck! Besides the .308 bullets are a lot more available and I have a couple of AK's for slinging lead down range. 
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Quoted:
Why not just go 300 AAC Blackout? I can't see too many differences. I will end up with a 300AAC probably next year. MAHA I thought about the Blackout, but it is a lower velocity round that shines in the subsonic range making it great for hanging a supressor of the end of the bbl. The 7.62x40 duplicates the 7.62x39 Rusky using cheap 5.56 brass and bolt assy. |
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The only commercial ammo and brass available that I am aware of comes from Wilson, but if one can reload 5.56 then reloading isn't much different other than chopping the neck off the case before running it through the size die.
Edited to add: Forming Blackout brass from 5.56 is pretty much the same as the '40, just chopped off shorter. The big advantage to both of these two ctgs is that both can be made from cheap readily available brass and use readily available 5.56 parts . The same reason that Hilljack is looking at his 6.5 PCC wildcat. The Blackout has a couple of advantages over the '40 as it is now a commercial SAMII spec round with cheaper dies and barrels from many sources. However if one is planning on shooting the "thumper bullets" be prepared for some sticker shot. The 200+ gr ones run around $30.00 per hundred and the 240 gr Sierras are more than $45.00 per hundred! (Ouch!) not that any are cheap anymore.  That makes casting your own look pretty attractive.
Just a FYI, comparing the two 30 cal rounds using a 125 gr bullet: the Hodgdon website shows 2185 fps as the highest velocity with 18 grs of Lil'Gun for the Blackout and Wilson shows the '40 at 2463 using 25.6 grs of AA1680 using a 16" bbl. I don't know what bbl length the Blackout used, but would guess 16" also. Edit update: In order to be fair I ran across load data from Accurate's web site that showed the Blackout 125 gr load @ 2248 fps, so that closes the gap some. Regardless I've a 20" barrel and that's going to boost the velocity of the x40 a bit over the 16" using the slower powders. I'll be sure to get some chrono #'s for inquiring minds. 
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Well I got out today and fired a few loads with mixed results. I tried some 147 pulled FMJ's to get sighted on paper and as usual they shot for crap. Well I will say they met the minute of commie criteria anyway! The 125 gr Speer TNT's shot ok, nothing close to what I expected, just ok. However the 155 gr Sierra MK Palma bullets were awesome! Five shots in about .4" @ 100 yds. I showed Hilljack and he replied something to the effect " Well, I guess you might be able to live with that." The only down side of that load is that it short stroked and didn't pick up the next round out of the mag.  So either I find one that works or open the gas port. 
I'll post a few pic's of groups and general info when I thaw out. |
OK guys I finally got off my lazy retired (retarded ) butt and have a few pics to post.
Top to bottom: 147gr FMJ, 5.56, 125 gr Speer TNT and a fire formed 7.62x40WT. The dark lines below the shoulder are heat marks, I annealed the formed cases as a preventive measure. 
Bucket o' brass, well ok just a coffee can of about 500 formed and primed rds. 
Wilson bbl markings. It's a very accurate and well finished barrel...a pleasant surprise especially at that price mark. 
Best group so far. 5 shots with 155 gr Sierra MK Palma bullets with 18.0 grs of WW296 and a Rem 7 1/2 primer. Down side it is short stroking and doesn't lock on the last round. Then again my gas system is the mid-length designed for slower powders. I may wind up opening the gas port and using an adjustable gas block to have the best combination of powder selections. Sorry no chrono data, I will get some later on when my old bones thaw out. 
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Just a bit of an update. Since I have a 20" barrel on my rifle and haven't done any chrono work on it yet I was curious what velocity to expect and ran across this: Here are some results with the longer bbl: 20" 125TNT ~2,625 - 2,650fps per member 7.62x40 http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_121/382761_7_62x40mm_Information_Thread.html&page=51
That I consider to be a major velocity advantage over the 300 Blackout!
Of course the Blk will gain some with a longer barrel also, but since it's case capacity mostly limits it to pistol type powders it won't gain very much velocity in a longer barrel. BTW if any of you guys around Alb or RR are interested in one I'll be happy to help you out or answer any questions you may have. Also if you (MAHA) have or decide on a 300 Blackout and need to chop some 5.56 brass down I have a cheap Harbor Freight chop saw that does a good job that you are welcome to use. |
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I'd settle for a extended A2 flashider in 30.cal. I have a PWS Triad (5.56) on my pistol now, which also comes in 30. Cal, but lately I can't find one on payday
The XTC from Rainers Arms also caught my eye. 
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2315 |