762.39 Question

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

Gentleman----going to add another caliber to the repertoire. 7.62.39. Finally scrounged up enough brass to get me going. I have CFE Black for a powder as recommended by Mr Highlander. The question I have is what bullet are people using for this caliber??? Shooting from an SKS and punching paper.

TIA

[Tommy Gun]

123gr are the standard grain weight. I'm sure you can experiment with others but you also need to know if your barrel is .310 (mostly AR type barrels and certain AK variants) or .311 (Other AKs and I think SKS's)

Accurate 1680 is also standard 7.62x39 powder but Black also works.

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

Thanks for the DM's guys. I found some SMK 110 gr, .308 and some Hornaday 125's also in .308. I'll check out a couple of those

[smoothy8500]

Aren’t SKS .311?

[FLIGHT762]

Yes, The O/P will need to use .311" bullets for an SKS.

I reload for the 7.62X39. I have a Colt 7.62X39 AR-15. It will shoot .308" bullets and .311" bullets , but I need to use a .306" expander for .308" bullets. My RCBS dies came with 2 expanders, one for the .311" bullets and one for the .308 bullets.

A Ruger 7.62X39 Mini 14 can use .308 bullets or .311" bullets because it has a tapered leade.

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

Yes, The O/P will need to use .311" bullets for an SKS.

I reload for the 7.62X39. I have a Colt 7.62X39 AR-15. It will shoot .308" bullets and .311" bullets , but I need to use a .306" expander for .308" bullets. My RCBS dies came with 2 expanders, one for the .311" bullets and one for the .308 bullets.

A Ruger 7.62X39 Mini 14 can use .308 bullets or .311" bullets because it has a tapered leade.

I just went and took some measurements of factory Winchester, wolf, Hornady SST and SMK. All flavors all the measure the same at .308. Wolf ammo is notoriously shot out of SKS. Given this data where does the .311 factor in???

[Imageview]

I have some Lapua match that's .310. Best factory stuff I've found in my rifles.

[FLIGHT762]

I just went and took some measurements of factory Winchester, wolf, Hornady SST and SMK. All flavors all the measure the same at .308. Wolf ammo is notoriously shot out of SKS. Given this data where does the .311 factor in???

If this is a serious question, you need to do a little research regarding the bore diameter of a SKS. It's not .308".

[devster55]

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

If this is a serious question, you need to do a little research regarding the bore diameter of a SKS. It's not .308".

Well it was a serious question. I have never loaded that caliber and am asking a serious question. When I read here about the different diameters I went and measured the factory ammo that I have---both are .308. Everyone I know shoots boat loads of wolf ammo. If wolf ammo is .308 then???? I'm asking a serious question. I have never seen 7.62x39 factory ammo on the shelf in different diameters----so help me out here I am actually trying to learn.

[Tommy Gun]

Had to seach for my AR Upper in 7.62x39 to find the diameter and was told from the company it was .310. I load only Priv and Hornady projectiles at .310. Whatever make is your rifle is you will need to search. .308 diameter is the smallest for 7.62x39 so of course it will shoot, but not accurately if your barrel is .310 or .311. Wolf probably uses .308 so it will work in any 7.62x39 firearm.

Long story short: search the internet so you know for sure what diameter your barrel is.

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

Had to seach for my AR Upper in 7.62x39 to find the diameter and was told from the company it was .310. I load only Priv and Hornady projectiles at .310. Whatever make is your rifle is you will need to search. .308 diameter is the smallest for 7.62x39 so of course it will shoot, but not accurately if your barrel is .310 or .311. Wolf probably uses .308 so it will work in any 7.62x39 firearm.

Long story short: search the internet so you know for sure what diameter your barrel is.

Thank you---I will contact the manufacturer as I Just purchased it.

[FLIGHT762]

Well it was a serious question. I have never loaded that caliber and am asking a serious question. When I read here about the different diameters I went and measured the factory ammo that I have---both are .308. Everyone I know shoots boat loads of wolf ammo. If wolf ammo is .308 then???? I'm asking a serious question. I have never seen 7.62x39 factory ammo on the shelf in different diameters----so help me out here I am actually trying to learn.

You state in your first post you are reloading for a SKS. The bore diameter for a SKS is .311". For reloading the 7.62X39 Cartridge, the proper bullet is .310"-311". It is not .308".

When you buy reloading dies for the 7.62X39, it will usually come with a .308"-.309" sizing button. That will give you proper neck tension for a .310"-.311" bullet. If you try to reload a .308" bullet with that expander button, you will not get proper neck tension, it will be too loose. In order to properly use .308" bullets with that die set, you will need to have a .306" expander button.

My 7.62X39 die set has both expander buttons so I can reload .308" and .311" bullets. Along with a Colt AR in 7.62X39, I have two SKS's and a couple AK-47's. All of the COM BLOC 7.62X39 rifles have .310"-.311" bore diameters. COM BLOC ammunition has .310"-311" bullets. My Colt AR will shoot .308" bullets that I ireload fairly accurately. My .310" bullets are a little more accurate.

The USA made Ruger Mini 30 has a .308" bore. Ruger made a tapered throat in the Mini 30 to safely size down .311" bullets to .308". The mini 30 will be accurate using either .308" bullets or .311" bullets.

The Lee 7.62X39 die set comes with both expander sizes.

Your SKS will not shoot .308" bullets as accurately as the proper .311" bullets.

I am trying to help you. I'm asking you to do some reading up on this subject.

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

Thank you Flight762----I will do a little more research.

[kcheung2]

The PPU/Prvi Partizan .310 projectiles are a good budget option

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/29109

and when I feel like splurging I'll use the Hornady, but mainly I reserve that for the AR in x39 since it's the only gun that would notice the improvement.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/72320

I would never use the .308 125 gr projectiles, I'll leave those for the 300BO shooters.