7.62x39 hunting round

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I picked up a set of dies and some winchester brass last weekend at a gunshow in dallas. I've held off on bullets a powder pending input from my friends at GBF. I want suggestions on bullets and powders with starting loads. I want to work up a load for my SKS to use as a brush gun. It shoots 3 to 4 inches (open sights) at a hundred with chinese or russian ammo. I hope to do better with homegrown. I do want a hunting bullet as opposed to a target round. Get those suggestions rolling in. Thanks, Tom

FEENIX

Try ...

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=7.62 x 39&Weight=All&type=Rifle&Order=Powder&Source=

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Feenix, thanks for the cool link. It gave me some insight I had ignored, using a .308 bullet instead of .311. I had considered this but was reluctant to try it.

FEENIX

I too have a couple of SKS's but haven't had a chance to do any load developments, just started reloading earlier this year and been too busy on .300WMs and .338WMs.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Ed

Mobuck

I got good results with Winchester brass,CCI primers, AA1680, and Winchester 123 grain .312 bullets seated to the crimp groove. If using the CCI#34 primer start conservatively on the powder. I used #200 for ammo used in a Rossi single shot and bumped the powder up .5 grain over the loads for semiauto w/#34 primer. The ammo for my AR 7.62x39 uses a Remington 125 grain which measures .309+ and I'm not sure about this because these are bullets I bought many years ago for 308 Win and 30/06. I was told the AR bore was .308 and I do know the steel case ammo doesn't give good accuracy in it.
The Winchester bullets expansion and penetration is suitable for deer at the appropriate range. I had a 1st time deer hunter using the Rossi 7.62 this year and I somewhat carelessly let him take a shot outside our self imposed limit of 150 yards(173 yards). He hit a button buck a little low and forward in the front shoulders. Pass through that damaged lungs and heart area resulting in a 40 yard run and down. I fired a shot to make certain there was no escape but the deer would have been dead in a few seconds anyway.

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quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
I got good results with Winchester brass,CCI primers, AA1680, and Winchester 123 grain .312 bullets seated to the crimp groove. If using the CCI#34 primer start conservatively on the powder. I used #200 for ammo used in a Rossi single shot and bumped the powder up .5 grain over the loads for semiauto w/#34 primer. The ammo for my AR 7.62x39 uses a Remington 125 grain which measures .309+ and I'm not sure about this because these are bullets I bought many years ago for 308 Win and 30/06. I was told the AR bore was .308 and I do know the steel case ammo doesn't give good accuracy in it.
The Winchester bullets expansion and penetration is suitable for deer at the appropriate range. I had a 1st time deer hunter using the Rossi 7.62 this year and I somewhat carelessly let him take a shot outside our self imposed limit of 150 yards(173 yards). He hit a button buck a little low and forward in the front shoulders. Pass through that damaged lungs and heart area resulting in a 40 yard run and down. I fired a shot to make certain there was no escape but the deer would have been dead in a few seconds anyway.


Thanks for the insight. I live in NW Arkansas and it't very brushy conditions. I have several hunting rifles scoped and ready for 100yd plus, I want to use the SKS for dense cover with open sights. It's light, fast, compact and I won't cry if it gets scratched. Should be close to a 30-30 in ballistics.