5.45X39 chronograph data..

[Bolt2Bounce]

So I finally got around to shooting some of my 545X39 reloads.. I have some data.. on the 5.45X39 over my chronograph.. All rounds chambered, fired and ejected fine, and I had no cases, split or fail in any way.. they did bulge at the case head as expected.. I lost a few in the weeds/dirt.. I'll reload them again and see how they fair.. I started with 222 once fired cases trimmed them to 545 length ran them through the 545 sizing die using imperial sizing wax.. primer powder bullet test..

a little back history. I wanted to see if I could reload for this cartridge.. make up some noncorrosive ammo with no steel in the bullet and maybe get some better accuracy also.. so I put together a group buy for these dies from Lee Precision.. six months later the dies showed up and I got to loading some stuff. up.. I put together four bullets designs for testing function and brass cases.. fireform etc.. I resizied them using a .221 dia bullet sizing die from lee.. As standard warning applies work your loads up carefully and always wear eye ear protection etc..

Factory 70 Gr Wolf ran 2495
Factory 53 Gr Russian surplus ball ran 3053, 3014


Brass 222 rem reformed to 545X39
primers: wolf small rifle
Powder: IMR 4198
Bullets:
(1)Serria 60 Gr Hollow point Flat base
(2) Hornaday 60 Gr soft point Flat base
(3) Nosler 60 Gr balistic tip Boat tail
(4)burger 70 Gr Boat tail hollow point match
all resized to .221 dia.


All 5 or 6 shot groups.. Shot on a M16A2 zero target @25 Meters..
Rifle: AK-74 Bulgarian, using Iron sights
accuracy was about 1 inch across the board.. I did not try hard to shoot small groups I shot very fast, I just wanted the velocity's data and to function test..the load and brass etc..

Chronograph results..

Seirra 60 Gr HPFB 17.5. gr IMR 4198

1.2558
2.2524
3.2551
4.2535
5.2513
6.2553

Av. 2539
Hi. 2558
Low. 2513
ES. 45.8
SD.18.2
AD.15.1

Seirra 60 Gr HPFB 18. gr IMR 4198

1.2597
2.2629
3.2619
4.2635
5.2620

Av. 2620
Hi. 2635
Low. 2597
ES. 36.6
SD.14.3
AD.9.6


Hornady 60 Gr SP 19 gr IMR 4198

1.2728
2.2739
3.2733
4.2717
5.2727


Av. 2 729
Hi. 2739
Low.2717
ES. 12.3
SD. 8.3
AD. 6

Hornady 60 Gr SP 17.7 gr IMR 4198

1.2563
2.2438
3.2521
4.2549
5.2581
6.2506

Av. 2543
Hi. 2581
Low. 2506
ES. 74.3
SD.27.2
AD.21.1

Nosler 60 Gr BT 19. gr IMR 4198

1. 2753
2. 2770
3. 2730
4. 2744
5. 2744

Av. 2748
Hi. 2770
Low. 2730
ES. 39.7
SD. 14.6
AD. 10.4

Nosler 60 Gr BT 19. gr IMR 4198

1. 2673
2. 2633
3. 2632
4. 2634
5. None

Av. 2543
Hi. 2673
Low. 2632
ES. 41.3
SD. 20
AD. 15

Burger 70 Gr HPBT 17. gr IMR 4198

1. 2422
2. 2448
3. 2438
4. 2409
5. 2411

Av. 2426
Hi. 2448
Low. 2409
ES. 39.1
SD. 16.9
AD. 13.8


B2B

[killshot44]

Wow, that's a fast burning powder... Good velocity from smallish charges.

Thanks for sharing. We should do a similar thread for .223

[tujungatoes]

Thanks! gonna have to remember this thread when I finally get around to building my bulgy74. I wonder if i contact Lee, if i can get a set of dies(yeah right)

[Bolt2Bounce]

I believe there has been a bunch of 223 data already done.. on the 77Gr SMK and 75 grain bullet.. The 545 make use of a small powder charge but operates at high pressure.. You can buy dies from me, if you want a set.. I have some extra sets left over from the group buy.. $60.00 Plus 5.60 shipping.. let me know.. if your local to my area you can save on shipping also.. B2B

[tujungatoes]

....really? I'll be in touch with you next week...

[CSACANNONEER]

B2B,

Great data! Haven't seen you in a couple of years. Did you make either Reno match this year? I flaked on both of them. Anyways, I'm wondering if you'ld be interested in building your own AKs? You wouls always be welcome to come down to my place to attend one of my AK Build Parties (Oct 2-3 is the next one). We are also starting to do milled kit rewelds! Hell, if you want to come down in a couple weeks, you could deliver the dies to Toes in person.

[Bolt2Bounce]

Thanks CSACANNONEER That data worked out great..I had a buddy recording the velocity's on paper..while I shot and another friend shagging the brass... No I wasn't able make it either.. it has been a few years since I made a match...life is getting in the way of my fun.. I wanted to go to the Colinga canon shoot this year but I don't think I can make it either, the dates are just bad timing.. for me.. seems like I can never get it together these days. to do squat.. April is hard to get away because it's the Girlfriends B-day and Aug is always busy as hell with work, summer is the hot time of year..for my job.. pun intended.. I've built a number of NDS semiautos already, they are fun,easy and cheap to shoot, so I don't really need to attend the build party.. as I've got the 411.. but thank you for the invite anyway, on the party.. I'll have to stick to the postal service..on the Dies.. B2B

[jumbopanda]

Thanks! gonna have to remember this thread when I finally get around to building my bulgy74. I wonder if i contact Lee, if i can get a set of dies(yeah right)

http://www.ch4d.com/

They have dies for pretty much any caliber you can imagine. Ever heard of the 11 x 53 R Comblain Belgian? Neither have I, but they've got dies for it.

I use their .50 Beowulf dies and they are great. I was having problems with runout using my Lee dies but the CH4D ones produced perfect ammo every time.

[tujungatoes]

Thanks jumbopanda. I'm gonna get a set from Bolt2Bounce, but it's good to know I have options.

[Bolt2Bounce]

When I looked I could not find any 5.45X39 Russian dies on the CH4D's web sight die list.. but they did have an impressive number of wildcats and improved dies that I've never heard of before..that is a good resource to have access to.. and the prices on most of them were also not bad. $87 for a custom die set is low... I like the CH4D products. I own one of there collet bullet puller and it is a high quality product. I think you'll have a hard time finding 5.45X39 dies.. They are custom made or limited runs, for the most part.. I had these made up custom from Lee as they have the best price and are a quality product as well.. The dies were for a group buy.. I did..I had to order 35 sets min to get the set-up fee waived and to keep costs down..so I ordered a few extra in case some more orders came it.. it took over six months to get the dies delivered.. So if you need a set get them while they last.. RCBS is the only other 5.45X39 dies I have seen.. avail but @ $143.. my price is a touch better...I believe huntintion inc had them also but they are RCBS made dies, and they were also over 100 bones.. Toes your dies are reserved for ya, when ever your ready.. you can e mail me @ Bolt2bounce at yahoo dot com.. B2B

[jumbopanda]

When I looked I could not find any 5.45X39 Russian dies on the CH4D's web sight die list.. but they did have an impressive number of wildcats and improved dies that I've never heard of before..that is a good resource to have access to.. and the prices on most of them were also not bad. $87 for a custom die set is low... I like the CH4D products. I own one of there collet bullet puller and it is a high quality product. I think you'll have a hard time finding 5.45X39 dies.. They are custom made or limited runs, for the most part.. I had these made up custom from Lee as they have the best price and are a quality product as well.. The dies were for a group buy.. I did..I had to order 35 sets min to get the set-up fee waived and to keep costs down..so I ordered a few extra in case some more orders came it.. it took over six months to get the dies delivered.. So if you need a set get them while they last.. RCBS is the only other 5.45X39 dies I have seen.. avail but @ $143.. my price is a touch better...I believe huntintion inc had them also but they are RCBS made dies, and they were also over 100 bones.. Toes your dies are reserved for ya, when ever your ready.. you can e mail me @ Bolt2bounce at yahoo dot com.. B2B

Go to Reloading Dies>Reloading Die List> search for "5.45"

You get:

5.45 x 39 - - F $ 78.25 3 - -


Yeah that's right, $78.25

[CSACANNONEER]

CH4D has some great stuff! I have his .510 collet puller, .510 bullet sizing die and an older CH (before the "4D") trimmer. It's not my favorite trimmer (I have a Giraud) but, it is a nice machine.

[Bolt2Bounce]

Go to Reloading Dies>Reloading Die List> search for "5.45"

You get:

5.45 x 39 - - F $ 78.25 3 - -


Yeah that's right, $78.25
__________________

I did what you said.. I searched and I still could not find them...?? Don't now what's the deal is.. B2B

[jumbopanda]

[Bolt2Bounce]

I tried it again and it did come up.. strange computer stuff.. I email them a question.. about their 545 dies... B2B