Anyone load for AKs?

[ar15barrels]

That's a setup like that run?

I don't know, but you could start with an RCBS primer pocket swager combo and then modify it to take a 1/2" balll bearing on top.

[ArmedCMT]

Hey Randall, what do you think of this method? Converting berdan cases to use boxer primers.: http://youtu.be/AkKJfvMyuDg

I was thinking about picking up some yugo ammo to give this a try.

[ar15barrels]

Hey Randall, what do you think of this method? Converting berdan cases to use boxer primers.: http://youtu.be/AkKJfvMyuDg

I was thinking about picking up some yugo ammo to give this a try.

I think that for the small number of brass cases you should need for any particular gun, that I would just buy some proper commercial cases and re-use them over and over before I would go to that amount of trouble to re-work berdan cases.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12651

I rarely have need of more than 100 rifle rounds in any particular day of shooting unless I am shooting 3gun...

For mass quantities of ammo, the surplus is still so cheap that I would just store that and shoot my range-safe reloads with proper boxer primed cases.

[Enfield47]

I am getting ready to reload 7.62x39 for my SKS. I have the brass cases, powder (IMR 4198), primers, and bullets (Hornady VMax 123 gr). I messed around with the Lee auto disk to get the correct powder drop a while back and I now have the dies set up. I just need some time to reload and get this first batch done.

I'm not really looking at this being a money saving venture because the steel cased stuff is so cheap. However, I can shoot my reloads at any range in So. Cal. without any issues and they should be more accurate too.

[sl0re10]

Hey Randall, what do you think of this method? Converting berdan cases to use boxer primers.: http://youtu.be/AkKJfvMyuDg

I was thinking about picking up some yugo ammo to give this a try.

thats what I did (including using that pocket swager) except I used the old primer instead of the copper tube.

But like someone else said; brass is around / still around. Grab some while it is. Its easier. Loaded brass ammo is also available as of now.

I have specific uses for steel hulls in my shotgun... so its worth the extra work to convert them. Not sure it makes sense work wise for everyday shooting cases.

and if I really wanted to ramp up and make a 100 or so (and or you think you could use them because you might not get them back and need a steady new supply); I'd need a drill press to make it happen...

[ar15barrels]

I used the old primer instead of the copper tube.

That makes a lot more sense.
If I were FORCED to convert berdan cases, I would probably make a wilson style shellholder like this:


I would chuck it in the lathe and then use a 3/16" centerdrill like this:

That would cut away most of the primer cup face, remove the anvil and create the 5/64" flash hole into the case all in one operation.

That should leave you with just enough of the old primer in place that you can go directly to swaging it to final dimensions.

[BruinGuy]

To answer Pauliedad:
You can make better cartridges that will increase the accuracy of your AK or SKS, but you'll still not likely be happy if precision is what you're after, simply due to the limitations of these rifles. I use the iron sights or a red dot sight on my Aks, and irons only on my SKS, so if I can hit anything past 200 I'm happy. At 35 yards, with my own loads I can get them all touching (big deal, it's 35 yards, right?) but with Tula/Bear, they won't be, so I chalk that up to a precision difference in the ammo. My own limitations as a shooter preclude me from determining the results of the same comparison beyond 50 yards.

I don't mess around with berdan cases like barkin' mad Bumslie. He likes to experiment and live on the edge. I just use brass boxer cases. Brass ho hoarding tip: look around about 10 yards in front of the firing line; that's where you'll find all the 7.62x39 cases.

Hornady and PPU bullets (.310 or .311) have given me best results, in 123/125gr and 150gr. I like Reloder 7 powder, but I also use 4198. The Accurate powder that is always recommended highly is virtually impossible to find, or I'd use it too.

I've also used the flat-point 123gr Xtreme bullets. They are iffy at above 1900fps, and they won't feed properly in any of my AKs (they work fine in the SKS though). For a gallery load, I put 9.6gr Unique under them and cycle my SKS as a straight pull bolt. Good fun. No signs of overpressue (I load up to 12 gr Unique in my 7.62x54R with the same bullets, although 10.6 works best) but maybe Bumslie means his are showing pressure signs with his glued in primers?

In any case, my full power reloads come out to about .33 each, which is considerably cheaper than a good price on new brass/boxer (about $10-$12 for a box of 20, versus my $6.50-$7.00). To me that's worth it, even if it's not the same savings one might see on some cartridges.

If I could shoot the cheap steel stuff, I probably never would have started reloading this cartridge, but I'm glad I do - it's a fun, easy cartridge to reload.

[Bumslie]

I've also used the flat-point 123gr Xtreme bullets. They are iffy at above 1900fps, and they won't feed properly in any of my AKs (they work fine in the SKS though). For a gallery load, I put 9.6gr Unique under them and cycle my SKS as a straight pull bolt. Good fun. No signs of overpressue (I load up to 12 gr Unique in my 7.62x54R with the same bullets, although 10.6 works best) but maybe Bumslie means his are showing pressure signs with his glued in primers?

.

I was using 150 gr bullet, comported to your 123 gr., so thats why I was showing pressure signs around 9.3 with the sks and brass. As for the steel cases, 9 gr didn't look so bad, but because they are not air tight and superglued in, I didn't want to press on any farther. It was more for a proof of concept that I could do it.

But back to the original topic (sorry for the thead jack). The Ak is an accurate platform, but for precision? eh. It's your money, and I'm sure you can get some better accuracy out of it. This is why it's a hobby. Whatever makes you enjoy it, go for it. I enjoy the odd ball/weird stuff.

I just hope you have a good brass catcher to make it worth it. If we can ever get some of that magical unicorn Accurate powder, I'll be working up some accuracy loads for it as well, just as soon as I buy a decent brass catcher.

[Pauliedad]

Always good to get jacked as long as you still get your info.
Thanks Bruinguy for the intel.
The responses reminded me to break out the sks too. She's due for some range time.
My brass collection system works really well so I will start shopping for some commercial loaded ammo using brass.

[Kokopelli]

I reloaded 7.62X39 for my Yugo 59/66. W-W brass, Hornady 123gr SP and RL7.

Can unique be used with jacketed bullets?

I use Unique for reduced loads in 308 Win using 100 gr SJ or 110 RN bullets. It works great for a mild short range load.

[meaty-btz]

getting sick of the repeated myth that AKs are not precise.. A good normal AK with stock sights is 2MOA, sight limited. A REALLY GOOD QUALITY AK.. like a Krebs or VEPR with peeps is more than capable of 1MOA shooting.

I've yet to see a subMOA AK, but I've also not seen someone with a quality AK and a proper scope shoot match grade ammo.. we all shoot the CHEAP ARSE STUFF.

I got 2MOA with 7n6. Maybe some batches are better than others.. dunno. Over all my 74 does shoot more precisely than my 74.. still the 74 is no slouch and it's an AMD65 with the crappiest stock in the land and no cheek weld.

If you are buying a century AK or another place who made AKs that should not even be fired due to safety concerns... well if you get 6 MOA you should be happy!

[Bumslie]

getting sick of the repeated myth that AKs are not precise.. A good normal AK with stock sights is 2MOA, sight limited. A REALLY GOOD QUALITY AK.. like a Krebs or VEPR with peeps is more than capable of 1MOA shooting.

I've yet to see a subMOA AK, but I've also not seen someone with a quality AK and a proper scope shoot match grade ammo.. we all shoot the CHEAP ARSE STUFF.

That would depend on your personal definition of precision.

If it doesn't make sub-moa, is it still a precision gun? Are there precision shooters that compete with it, and win?

Sure it can be fine tuned to within a level of precision, and no one is taking away it's accuracy potential, but to define it as a precision gun, I don't think it is.

[meaty-btz]

That would depend on your personal definition of precision.

If it doesn't make sub-moa, is it still a precision gun? Are there precision shooters that compete with it, and win?

Sure it can be fine tuned to within a level of precision, and no one is taking away it's accuracy potential, but to define it as a precision gun, I don't think it is.

indeed but how many sub-moa shooters do we have on this forum? Heh. I could probably argue that the Galil is sub-moa capable as it is very rigid and has a high quality heavy barrel. We just don't have many, if any, REAL Galils. Century fakes don't count. Need a real, uncut, Galil receiver for the high grade steel rigidity and quality of manufacture. The only thing it lacks is a free-float barrel so that is a mark against its upper end precision. Is sub-moa capable on a 74 platform with a high end barrel and milled receiver? I think it is mechanically possible if we could add a free-floating for-grip. In the end it requires quality machining which is pretty rare in the AK world but not unicorn rare.
The biggest problem is ak shooters are their own worst enemies and go for cheap, crappy, cheap, cheap, and cheaper...

[Bumslie]

Agreed. I don't take away that the ak is indeed capable of a decent amount of precision, but I just don't classify it as a dedicated precision weapon.

With any amount of work and good hand loads, we can realistically male and weapon more precise.

I think what gets your and my blood boiling is when people claim ak's are not accurate, which is complete garbage.

But enough of the 1911 vs glock banter.

Op. I do hope you attempt to work some nice loads for your ak ad post it up. It will make for more great discussion and debate

[Pauliedad]

Just spent some time shopping components on my phone and will make the plunge once I get to the spend money computer.
Looking forward to seeing what can be done. If nothing else this will force some more focus on trigger break. When plinking the AK there's been a lower expectation of results.