Gosh there is all sorts of chatter about Reloading 7.62x39 for a Ruger Mini 30, some saying the old barrels were long throated .308 and not .311 and it’s unsafe to load .311 for the Mini 30.
I’m left wondering how all those millions of rounds of Russian .311 worked so well but .311 hand loads will go boom???
Anyway, is anyone reloading brass case 7.62x39? For a Mini? What’s your load look like??
I haven’t started yet, but as the price keeps climbing I’m going to. If I find a reliable, safe recipe I will let you know.
I’m not deep in it yet but I’ve bought dies with the intention of reloading it. Brass 7.62x39 is a lot less common than steel case so I’m kind of in the stage of collecting brass.
Powder wise, Accurate 1680 is a great choice.
When I have my notes and recipe books in front of me again, I’ll list some loads and better info. I know it’s on my shelf but I’m on vacation BUT Ken Waters did so much leg work for pretty much every cartridge already. If anyone else has his Pet Loads book, cross reference it.
Norma goes on sale time to time. I think PSA has it at $11.49 for 20 so about 0.57 per round, but I bought 500 from Norma when they had it at $9.49 or 0.47 per round. Along with some range finds I have about 300 norma still loaded & 350 once fired brass.
I haven’t found a Ram TAC load yet, But I’m sure it can be done. The powder is used and liked from 5.56 through to .308 Seems like somewhere between there should be a 7.62z39 load.
and loading all 3 of those cartrages with one powder would justify buying TAC in the 8 pound jug.
TAC is too slow a powder for a cartridge with so little overbore as the 7.62x39. Unless you are using very heavy projectiles you are going to have poor performance. You may be better off using Hodgdon H335 or similar which is faster burning but works with all three cartridges.
Yeah, clearly I failed to anticipate the shape of the brass would have so much effect.
I may in fact try H335 as it seems to at least be on the shelf from time to time.
I’ve heard that brass 7.62x39 has issues ejecting on AKs - any thoughts on that? One of my “joys” in shooting my KS47 or SKS is that i dont have to scourge around for the casings. Never shot brass in any of them.
Ive shot brass in my 104 and had 0 issues. PSA has a no steel policy on their ranges. Their rental AKs only shoot brass and also no issue.
No issues running brass in mine either.
My Ruger mini 30 seems to put a small dent in the side of the brass, my only problem with my PSA AK & brass is how far it throws them, literally shoot off the hood of a Ford F150 crew cab & they hit the tail gate without touching any truck between.
Hi, couple of months late on this one. .311” bullets in a .308” barrel? Most US barrel makers are useing the standard .308” 1:10 twist barrel stock for the 7.62x39. They just cut the chamber and throat to take a .311” bullet. I have a 7.62x39 AR pistol that shoots the 123 Barnes Tac X great. I use it for Hog hunting in southern Arkansas, works great. Bulk Tula ammo shoots okay and would be fine for Deer or hogs to maybe 150 yards(group wise) But the 123 Barnes shoots sub 1”. I like to hit Hogs just behind the ear, no tracking. So accuracy counts. The very short Pistol package manuvers great in a blind.
PMC Brass, Win large rifle primers, 1680 powder, burns clean. The middle load had a SD of 4.
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