regular load data for Gas Checked cast bullet?

[SKSer]

Hi guys, I just got done casting some 7.62x39 bullets, I lubed, Gas Check and sized them down to .311, since these have Gas Checks, do i just use the regular load data as if they were a jacketed round? thanks guys.

[gunboat]

No, you use load data for the cast bullet you have -- If it is lee they probably have a data sheet for it. If it is a lyman bullet, data is in their cast bullet handbook and regular handbook -- My manuals are too old for 7.62x39 data but if it is a 120gr gas check it probably takes about 25gr 3031 to start.

[tujungatoes]

here's some good reading on cast 7.62x39.link

i've had some pretty good results with the lee 155's gas checked over some 2400 in most of my ak's. my amd65 however wont cycle em. i think theres just not enough dwell time after the gas port due to the short barrel. oh well, maybe a different powder. haven't played around with it yet.

i do get gas piston fouling after a couple hundred rounds. a little steel wool clears it all up. i'd be carefull about using them in a yugo sks for fear it'd lead up the gas shut off, and have to burn it out.

-toes

[SKSer]

here's some good reading on cast 7.62x39.link

i've had some pretty good results with the lee 155's gas checked over some 2400 in most of my ak's. my amd65 however wont cycle em. i think theres just not enough dwell time after the gas port due to the short barrel. oh well, maybe a different powder. haven't played around with it yet.

i do get gas piston fouling after a couple hundred rounds. a little steel wool clears it all up. i'd be carefull about using them in a yugo sks for fear it'd lead up the gas shut off, and have to burn it out.

-toes

No, you use load data for the cast bullet you have -- If it is lee they probably have a data sheet for it. If it is a lyman bullet, data is in their cast bullet handbook and regular handbook -- My manuals are too old for 7.62x39 data but if it is a 120gr gas check it probably takes about 25gr 3031 to start.

Thanks guys. Yea ive been reading alot of info about it, it is a bit confusing trying to figure out starting loads but the link that tujungatoes gave me was very helpfull.

I have a second question if you guys could help me. Lets say I work up a successfull load for the 7.62x39 using this cast bullet, if I use the same cast bullet (sized down to .309) in a .308 (bolt action) , could I use the same powder grainage?

To be put more clearly, if I use, just say 25 grains of X powder to propel this bullet out of a 7.62x39 case, will 25 grains of X powder propel the same cast bullet out of the .308 case at the same general pressure and velocity or does the volume difference of the two cases make a difference in pressure and velocity, assuming I wanted to just load basic 100 yard plinking rounds?

thanks guys.

[gunboat]

Do you mean, in the same cartridge or a different cartridge ? A suitable load for a 7.62x39 in your weapon would be suitable in a bolt rifle. Presuming you are not loading a max load -- which with cast you would not be.
If you want to use the bullet in a different cartridge, say 30/06 you would use data listed for that bullet in the 06 sheet --
.311 is standard cast size for most .30 calibers. Some folks slug their bores and adjust bullet diameter accordingly. My 06's all digest .311 well, but I have one 30/40 krag that likes .312 better.
Generally cast bullets should not be sized down more than a few thousandths.
my ha-penny --

sorry missed your last paragraph -- but answer is still the same --

[SKSer]

thanks for your response gunboat

basically Im planning on using this Cast Bullet in a SKS in 7.62x39, so lets say i work up a load for the SKS, and lets say that its 25 grains of X powder and it pushes the bullet down range at 1900 FPS.

Now I also have a stevens 200 bolt action in .308, if I use the same Cast Bullet, can i also load the .308 case to 25 grains of x powder and expect the same 1900 fps out of that cartridge? Or since the case volume of .308 is larger then the 7.62x39 case, will it change the ballistics of the same cast bullet and same powder charge

Im just trying to figure out if I work up a load for the 7.62x39 can I use the same data for the .308, at least as starting point to load the .308, and then fine tune it from there. I just dont want to under charge the .308 and then have a stuck bullet, plus im finding a bit of data for this bullet mold and the 7.62x39 (thanks to the link provided up top), but im not finding a lot of data for cast bullets and .308 in general, let alone using this mold for it.

[tujungatoes]

do NOT use 7.62x39 for any other cartridge. if you want to size and load those bullets for .308 use only data for that caliber. i dont even recommend using the same load for different firearms in the same caliber, unless you work up to it and know it's safe.

Invest in a copy of the lyman cast bullet handbook. it's got alot of very good information.

-toes

[SKSer]

ok cool, thanks again guys.

Invest in a copy of the lyman cast bullet handbook.

-toes

/\/\/\/\/\
This is what I need to get, im just getting nickle and dimed to death getting into casting.

[gunboat]

No, you can not just arbitrarily use the same load in the 308 case -- the load may well be safe and shootable but the ballistics will be different -- Basically the volume of the two cases is different which changes ballistics

[SKSer]

No, you can not just arbitrarily use the same load in the 308 case -- the load may well be safe and shootable but the ballistics will be different -- Basically the volume of the two cases is different which changes ballistics

this is basically what i was suspecting, thats why i wanted to ask first, thanks for all your advice.

[gunboat]

I did not ask before -- what bullet are you using?

[SKSer]

I did not ask before -- what bullet are you using?

this mold: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=752956

I also got a sizing die in .311 for the 7.62x39 and a sizing die in .309 for the .308

[gunboat]

I suggest you get a copy of lee'e reloading manual, not because it is great, but because it should have loading data about your bullet. At least Lee's website leads me to believe it does.
A lymans cast bullet handbook is better but, of course, it does not have data for lee moulds.
A rough rule of thumb, if your bullet is not listed, is to use the starting load data for the next heaviest (5-10gr) bullet. Cast bullet data for cast bullets of course.
I suggest you read up a bit on slugging your bore as well -- Helps you decide on the proper diameter to size your bullet.
my ha-penny

[SKSer]

thanks a lot bud for all the advice, its really appreciated.