I'm starting to work up a load for 7.62x39 using the Lee 312-160-2R mold that I have had success with 300BLK & 7.62x54r. These will be plinking loads and my target is accuracy of Tulamo range safe on an SKS @ 100 Yards.
Guzma, I'm expecting you to post cause I saw you mention you have reloaded for it.
The lee Die set came with 2 expanding/decapping rods. I switched out and used the smaller one cause the larger one did not leave enough neck tension. Using the Lyman M die, it opens it up a tad from the .306 it starts at.
The Lee 312-160-2R has a fat front so I know that depending on the throat, Seating depth may come into play. I found that the throats on my Russian SKS, Chinese SKS and VZ2008 could tolerate an OAL of 2.200 which is the max.
I found however the SKS fed better down at 2.160" and the VZ2008 down at 2.145"
The VZ2008 beat them to heck. The magazine feed lips I think held onto the round a little longer and created an angle to the point that on the last round only, it would get stuck while feeding @ 2.160". All the rounds before it fed fine. Maybe the floor plate on the mag was to blame? When I moved it to 2.145", it fed fine. VZ2008 beat them to hell though putting dents in the PC bullet. Pics before and after feed testing. (fed/manually cycled about 5-8 times from each of the 3 rifles)
I'm targeting 14-15.5gr Alliant 2400, but I'm still doing research.
Anyone else reload Cast for 7.62x39 care to comment as I'm working this out?
OH, one thing surprised me is these cases use Large Rifle Primers, not Small like 300BLK
Guzma, I'm expecting you to post cause I saw you mention you have reloaded for it.
The lee Die set came with 2 expanding/decapping rods. I switched out and used the smaller one cause the larger one did not leave enough neck tension. Using the Lyman M die, it opens it up a tad from the .306 it starts at.
The Lee 312-160-2R has a fat front so I know that depending on the throat, Seating depth may come into play. I found that the throats on my Russian SKS, Chinese SKS and VZ2008 could tolerate an OAL of 2.200 which is the max.
I found however the SKS fed better down at 2.160" and the VZ2008 down at 2.145"
The VZ2008 beat them to heck. The magazine feed lips I think held onto the round a little longer and created an angle to the point that on the last round only, it would get stuck while feeding @ 2.160". All the rounds before it fed fine. Maybe the floor plate on the mag was to blame? When I moved it to 2.145", it fed fine. VZ2008 beat them to hell though putting dents in the PC bullet. Pics before and after feed testing. (fed/manually cycled about 5-8 times from each of the 3 rifles)
I'm targeting 14-15.5gr Alliant 2400, but I'm still doing research.
Anyone else reload Cast for 7.62x39 care to comment as I'm working this out?
OH, one thing surprised me is these cases use Large Rifle Primers, not Small like 300BLK
