Reloading 7.62 x 39mm

[TacticalPlinker]

I did some searching, but could not find enough to answer my questions. I'm looking for advice from members who reloading/handload 7.62 x 39mm for an AK platform.

Basically I have an Lee RGB die set, and I'm looking for bullets...

Since most of the dies I can find for the 7.62 x 39mm are for .308" diameter bullets (like the Lee RGB set I have) and very few come with .310" or .311", do you settle on using .308" bullets in your reloading/handloading for this caliber? Or can you just use a .308" die with a .310" or .311" bullet?

Can anyone suggest .308" bullets in 7.62 x 39mm caliber? All the 30 cal bullets I can find in .308" are meant for a .308 rifle, not an AK chambered in 7.62 x 39mm. Unfortunately .308 is too large both in physical size and weight (180gr.+).

Note; My WASR 10/63 from Century has a foreign (Romanian) barrel and has been confirmed with Century to have a .311" bore. I'm also not terribly concerned with accuracy from using a .002" or .003" smaller bullet.

[johnny1290]

the xtreme plated 762x39 mm bullets mic out to .3125 if that helps you any. I think they're 124 grain.

I can't remember where I bought them, something like American Ammo or something, usa ammo, they're advertisers on cal guns.

i'm using the same bullet in my Mosin Nagant.

I haven't loaded them or fired yet, but I'm not worried about it. I don't think a few thousandths will make any diff, but hey , what do I know. Somehow I think they'll function just fine, or good enough for government work.

[Agustav]

My Hornady Die set comes with 2 expansion plugs. I believe they are .308 and .310/.311.

Before I realized the difference, I tried to seat 310 bullet into a 308 sized case, and was experiencing crushed case mouth. I think if you are using boat tail bullets this might not be an issue. However, a properly sized case will make bullet sitting much smoother.

[klewan]

You can buy the .312 expander directly from Lee. Where are you getting the brass to reload? That seems to be the big problem with AK ammo, even before things got crazy that was really expensive.

[Divernhunter]

My RCBS dies also have both expander plugs. IF you are reloading for a Mini30 the .308 bullets will be fine. The mini30 has a .308 dia barrel and will shoot both well. If in a .310 barrel(like SKS) the bullet will be a bit loose.

[TacticalPlinker]

You can buy the .312 expander directly from Lee. Where are you getting the brass to reload? That seems to be the big problem with AK ammo, even before things got crazy that was really expensive.

Really? I'm looking at die parts on the Lee website, but I don't see the larger expander. Do you have a link?

As for the brass, I actually need brass and bullets. I have some powder and primers, and the Lee RGB die set.

I'm trying to locate brass, but in the meantime, I'm trying to figure out exactly which bullets I need to use.

[TacticalPlinker]

Think I may have found a solution, I can have multiple expander rods depending on the size of bullet I have on hand, as long as it's 7.62 x 39mm.

For .310" diameter;

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/170552/lee-ez-x-expander-decapping-rod-762x39mm-310-diameter-replacement-part?cm_cat=Cart&cm_pla=ProductDesc

For .311" diameter;

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/295693/lee-ez-x-expander-decapping-rod-303-british-77mm-japanese-32-40-wcfreplacement-part?cm_cat=Cart&cm_pla=ProductDesc

[ChrisGarrett]

I did some searching, but could not find enough to answer my questions. I'm looking for advice from members who reloading/handload 7.62 x 39mm for an AK platform.

Basically I have an Lee RGB die set, and I'm looking for bullets...

Since most of the dies I can find for the 7.62 x 39mm are for .308" diameter bullets (like the Lee RGB set I have) and very few come with .310" or .311", do you settle on using .308" bullets in your reloading/handloading for this caliber? Or can you just use a .308" die with a .310" or .311" bullet?

Can anyone suggest .308" bullets in 7.62 x 39mm caliber? All the 30 cal bullets I can find in .308" are meant for a .308 rifle, not an AK chambered in 7.62 x 39mm. Unfortunately .308 is too large both in physical size and weight (180gr.+).

Note; My WASR 10/63 from Century has a foreign (Romanian) barrel and has been confirmed with Century to have a .311" bore. I'm also not terribly concerned with accuracy from using a .002" or .003" smaller bullet.

If your bore is .311", you'll 'want' to shoot the wider bullets, either the Hornady .310s, like I load for my Norinco 56S, or stuff meant for the European standard, which isn't .308 (unless you have one of the Finnish Mosin Nagants from WWII, which were ordered with .308" bores, IIRC.)

You'll need to get an expander ball for .31x, whatever it is. Either that, or use bushing dies and control your neck tension that way.

Or...I guess you could just keep doing what you're doing and be happy that you're doing it.

Chris