7.62x39 Handload Suggestions? (Bolt action)

[M29since14]

Do any of you have favorite loads that you care to share? A few years ago I bought a Remington 799. It turned out to be the most difficult rifle I’ve ever owned. Never could get it to shoot so I replaced it with a Ruger American, which is what I currently own.

I’m looking for a simple load that would work well through a powder measure, so I’m not tempted to weigh the charges, but accuracy is the main concern. I have a modest supply of Hornady 123 gr. bullets (stock number #3142G, I think), but I have the impression the Ruger is not satisfied with these. Groups are a bit erratic, but well within the “acceptable” range, which is to say as good as or a bit better than typical sporting-type factory ammo. Recently bought a box of Sierra 123 gr. bullets that are 0.311”, which so far I have not tried. My best results with the Hornady bullet have been with AA9 powder, Winchester cases, and, surprisingly, Winchester large rifle primers. IMR4227 has done a good job, too, but is expensive.

The Ruger is no beauty queen but it is a handy little rifle and is way more accurate than the Remington. A shame, since the 799 was a cute little rifle, but it must have suffered from a bad barrel. Anyway, I thought maybe some of you might have a pet load that you don’t mind mentioning. Thanks in advance.

 

[rockquarry]

I had two Ruger bolt-action stainless MKII rifles I bought new about thirty years ago. I think the bores were .310", but I'd have to look that up to be sure. I used various jacketed bullets from .308" - .311 and .312", but mostly shot cast bullets in both guns. I could see no difference in accuracy with jacketed bullets, but jacketed bullets are very forgiving and bullet diameter is not critical for accuracy (unless of course they are dangerously oversized).

Ther are many suitable bullets and powders. Look at some reputable paper-published load data. If you're interested in accuracy, you'll have to work up loads in your rifle. What works well in another rifle may not shoot well in your gun.

 

[rwsmith]

I use....

...IMR 4895 for everything. In 7.62 x 39 I use a medium load. The bullets can run from .309" to .311" and it may make a difference which diameter you are using depending on the barrel. It's weird that the bullets for 7.62 x 54 Rimmed cartridge are .312".

I can't say that I've ever tried to refine accuracy in the 7.62 x 39mm because I shoot them out of an SKS. It's more of a 'fun gun' for me, lots of plinking with it. But taking normal care with reloading can't be bad. And boxer primed brass cases are easy to work with, but my SKS throws them into orbit and it's hard for me to keep a good supply of brass.

 

[zeke]

AA 1680 for accuracy, easy case fill and velocity. Combined with bullet dia that fits with bore dia. Accurate powder data is included with Western Arms manuals, which can usually found with google search.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

If nothing else works, try IMR 3031. It is a very old-style powder that works in all things that are Military and Bolt Action! (standard primers)

Ivan

 

[mtgianni]

I second IMR 4895 but have had best results with the Lee 155 gr cast bullets. Mine has never seen jacketed so no help there.

 

[rockquarry]

I second IMR 4895 but have had best results with the Lee 155 gr cast bullets. Mine has never seen jacketed so no help there.

Quite surprisingly to me, the two bolt-action Rugers I had would shoot cast bullets of over 200 grains with good accuracy. I'd have to look up my records, but it seems the heavier bullet were more accurate that the lighter ones. I don't recall the barrel twist rate at the moment, but could find it.

I worked with cast bullets extensively years ago with these rifles, but as so often happens with me, after a few months or a few years (years in this case) I lose interest and move on to something else.

 

[M29since14]

I’ve been known to lose interest in these projects too, and then frequently they will get to botherin’ me a little and I have to come back to them. This is the case here. For several years I couldn’t buy a box of the Sierras, but they are available now. I’m hoping they will shoot better in this rifle than the Hornadys have.

I might give cast a try sometime but for now I’m interested in an easy to assemble load that shoots reasonably consistent groups with a jacketed hunting-type bullet.

AA1680 looks like a good candidate for running through the powder measure, but maximum charge weights for it are all over the place, depending on where one looks. With the Hornadys I had better luck with AA9 than with 1680.

Thanks to all who have offered suggestions.

 

[zeke]

from sks and notes from the way back time machine

lapua brass, cci 34 primer, speer 123 gn sp

25.0 gns 1680 = bout 2410 fps, pretty accurate in sks
25.0 gns h-4198 = bout 2380 fps fair accuracy

upping the 1680 load decreased accuracy

in cz-527
lapua brass, fed 210 primer, Speer 123 jsp, 2.192 col

25.0 gns 1680 = bout 2360 fps, fair accuracy
25.5 gns 1680 = bout 2410 fps, very accurate

lapua brass, fed 210 primer, hdy 123 gn v-max
25.5 gns 1680 = bout 2455 fps, ex accuracy

 

[rwsmith]

Does it seem to be generally true....?

I second IMR 4895 but have had best results with the Lee 155 gr cast bullets. Mine has never seen jacketed so no help there.

...that unless you are shooting at long ranges or high power, the best bet for an accurate load is a slow, heavy bullet as long as the bullet fit is right and you stay out of the transonic range???

 

[rwsmith]

Doesn't matter.....

..........

AA1680 looks like a good candidate for running through the powder measure, but maximum charge weights for it are all over the place, depending on where one looks. With the Hornadys I had better luck with AA9 than with 1680.

Thanks to all who have offered suggestions.

Since you are shooting for accuracy, listed max charges don't matter. You'll most likely find an accurate load before you get to maximum. Start low, work up.

 

[twodog max]

Hodgdon BLK I have used in my CZ527. Accuracy was very good at 100 yds
Got the data from their website. Shot a deer or two with the load and Hornady 123 gr. bullets. No trail deer kills.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I STRONLY suggest you get your data from a current reloading manual.........NEVER!!! Use internet recipes.........And yes, I reload the 7.62x39.