Powder for 5.56, 7.62x39 and.308

[golfish]

Hey guys, I just started shooting 7.62x39 and I've been shooting the other two calibers for years. I'm going to start reloading for the sks first and then maybe the other two caliber down the line. Just plinking loads for semi auto.

I think I'll start with H4198 powder. Can you suggest another powder that might be better for the 7.62x39 and maybe be used for the other two calibers?

I thought maybe I'd stock up on powder and primers.

fish

[maxx03]

Accurate 1680. You can also use H335 but the velocities will be lower.

[justMike]

Accurate powders loading guide doesn't show 1680 as appropriate for .223 Rem. My choice would be H4895 for those three cartridges.

Edit: 1680 also not appropriate for .308 W.

[Catch]

I haven't seen many of the 1680s in stock locally. H4198 has worked well for me and might also work in 308 w/ 110grs.

[kevins750]

H335......H4198....RL 10....3031.....tac.....AA2230...x terminator... .check on these for the 308 also, might be a tad fast..

I use 1680 for X39

Aa2230 for 223.

[golfish]

I thought I might be asking for too much. I'll start with the x39 and also I check out the 1680

[kcstott]

another vote for 4895 or even MR2000

[alpha_romeo_XV]

What do you plan to use for the bullet (projectile) ? I found the cheapest FMJ 123 grain for 7.62x39R about 20 cents each. Given the cost of powder and primer that brings final cost equal to surplus ammo. Considering the time to reload and the so so accuracy of an SKS and their ability to reliably feed/eject steel case, it did not make sense to reload for SKS.
I tried reloading some lead to reduce bullet codt but for high velocity semi-auto rifle that did not give good results (lead OK for subsonic bolt rifle though).

Now for 223 and 308 a totally different story, I can reload to save money and make very accurate ammo.

[koehn,jim]

Try checking Winchester 748 it meters very well.

[OpenSightsOnly]

H4895

[the86d]

4064?

[Dutch Henry]

Hodgdon BL-C(2)

[Syntax Error]

Ramshot TAC.

[capo602002]

I've had excellent results using BLC-2 and Ramshot TAC in 5.56 and .308
Have used CFE BLK in the 7.62 x 39 with copper bullets out of a CZ527 with good results.

[Bigman54]

Varget

[OneFunGuy]

I'll address your 7.62X39 part of the question, since I am not presently loading .223 and do not own .308.

First off, get yourself a good set of calipers. Mitutoyo on eBay.
Japanese, excellent quality about $50.00 on eBay. Get the one that has a dial that goes from 0 to 90.

Digital calipers from Harbor Freight won't cut it.

Get some CCI #34 Mil-Spec, large rifle primers. This is important if your SKS still has a floating firing pin.
If you have upgraded your SKS with the spring loaded firing pin, then CCI #200 large rifle pimers will do just fine.
Either way, be sure to seat the primer below flush in the case. Lay a steel edge/ruler across the base of the cartridge to check that there is a hair of a gap there.

Stick with 120-125 grain projectiles. Max OAL is 2.200". Russian factory COAL is 2.193". Keep within these specs to avoid feed problems.
Obviously, some loads will be a lot less than this, but will feed just fine. Your bullet diameter is .311.

Someone mentioned TAC powder, don't! Very temp sensitive.

Your best powder friend is Accurate AA1680 powder. It was designed for the 7.62X39 round. If you want to experiment after getting the basics down,
look to CFE-BLK and BLC2 powder. Oh, and don't expect a one powder fits all solution.

Spend a couple of extra bucks and get the right powder for each of the calibers you are shooting.

As a last word, expect that your wonderfully prepped reloads will be violently flung into the weeds and shooting stations.
When the cartridge exits the gun, it will get dinged and when it lands the case mouth could be crushed in, if you can find it.
I shoot my 7.62X39 reloads thru bolt guns. My SKS's get the gnarly Russian steel stuff that gets swept up and tossed.

[golfish]

Well!! I gave it a shot and loaded up some rounds with H4198. There really isn't a place here in So Cal that I can legally shoot steel case/projectile ammo.
I hope to get out next week and see how I did.

[hambam105]

YT how to deprime berdan 7.62x39 brass. Then see how to install a brass sleeve for the primer pocket.

[kcheung2]

Huh? Your sentence isn't clear, are you saying you reloaded using magnetic projectiles & steel cases?

[micro911]

I use Vihtavuori N140 for 223 (69 and 77 grain bullets), and IMR 4064 for 308 (168 and 175 grain bullets). Very good accuracy for my rifles.

Never loaded for 7.62x39mm.

[Chop38]

I haven't yet found a single powder that fills my needs for all three cartridges.

223: 55g bullet, 2800fps, 22" 1:12 bolt action
308: 147-150g bullet, 2750fps, 22" 1:11 bolt action
7.62x39: 123-125g bullet, 2350fps, 18.5" 1:10 semi-auto (Mini-30)

Finding a load for my 7.62x39 that didn't warp cases to they point they were unusable for reloading was quite an adventure. Your mileage will vary, hopefully for the better.

I have tried:
IMR 4198 - Warped too many 7.62x39 cases beyond reuse at the desired performance. Never tried in .308, but probably too fast for my intended application.

IMR 4895 - Can't cram enough into a 7.62x39 case to achieve the desired performance.

Winchester 748 - Didn't produce the desired level of performance in 7.62x39

If / when I decide to continue my search for the holy grail, my next attempts will be with Accurate 2200, Accurate 5744, Norma 200, and Hodgdon 335.

I'm presently using Shooters World Blackout for 7.62x39, IMR 4895 for 223 and 308.

[edgerly779]

I use varget and tac for 223 and 6.8 spc.

[kcstott]

every time I've ever asked myself what powder would work with this cartridge or that cartridge, I've always been able to find that answer in a reloading manual

[Tommy Gun]

Just come to the realization that you cant really find a good for all powder when it comes to bigger bore rifle rounds. Just as win 231 is good for a ton of pistol ammo there is still nuance for magnum power and the like, as I learned reloading my .357 mag.

The brain trust here is speaking truth, go with it. 748 I use for .223 and .308 plinking rounds. AA1680 for my 7.62 x .39. As you get to more precision recipies the powders change. H4150 for my 6.5 creed. IMR 4064 for .308. And even my choices would get push back on how I should be using them. It will be trial and error to find the correct recipie for whatever you decide ultimately.

Also stick to brass cases and copper jacketed ammo unless you live in a state that allows steel core.

[golfish]

Originally Posted by kcstott

every time I've ever asked myself what powder would work with this cartridge or that cartridge, I've always been able to find that answer in a reloading manual

Which reloading manual was it that gave you the info that you gave in your first post ?

Originally Posted by kcstott

another vote for 4895 or even MR2000

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by golfish

Which reloading manual was it that gave you the info that you gave in your first post ?

It was my reloading manual. Yeah I gave a response initially then came back and gave another. Both pieces of advice are equally valuable.

go buy a manual there's more in there than just test reports.

[pennstater]

Originally Posted by kcstott

It was my reloading manual. Yeah I gave a response initially then came back and gave another. Both pieces of advice are equally valuable.

go buy a manual there's more in there than just test reports.

golfish has manuals. I know him, been to his place. I believe he was simply asking for opinions.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by pennstater

golfish has manuals. I know him, been to his place. I believe he was simply asking for opinions.

One test is worth 1000 opinions.

[tawadc95]

Tac

[golfish]

Originally Posted by kcstott

It was my reloading manual. Yeah I gave a response initially then came back and gave another.

lol, that's exactly what I thought.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by golfish

lol, that's exactly what I thought.

I still don’t see your point. If you have manuals why aren’t you just cross referencing powders?

[golfish]

Originally Posted by justMike

My choice would be H4895 for those three cartridg.

Winchester brass
CCI large rifle primer
25grains of H4895
123grains Hornady FMJ

Worked really well for the sks. I thank you for the good advice. This powder worked good for the 7.62 x 39. Next up will be the 308.

[wild_weasel]

Try looking at the Hodgdon web page
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle
Cheers,
W-W

[ar15barrels]

Originally Posted by golfish

Hey guys, I just started shooting 7.62x39 and I've been shooting the other two calibers for years. I'm going to start reloading for the sks first and then maybe the other two caliber down the line. Just plinking loads for semi auto.

I think I'll start with H4198 powder. Can you suggest another powder that might be better for the 7.62x39 and maybe be used for the other two calibers?

I thought maybe I'd stock up on powder and primers.

fish

Don't compromise to try to get one powder for all three.
Many powders will cover both 5.56 and 7.62x51 but those types of powders are not really appropriate to the 7.62x39.
Stick to the best powder for each cartridge.

[golfish]

Originally Posted by ar15barrels

Don't compromise to try to get one powder for all three.
Many powders will cover both 5.56 and 7.62x51 but those types of powders are not really appropriate to the 7.62x39.
Stick to the best powder for each cartridge.

I've been reading a lot about these two/three cartridges. I think I was shooting for the stars trying to use the same powder for all 3. I appreciate the advice.

Next up will be .308.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by golfish

I've been reading a lot about these two/three cartridges. I think I was shooting for the stars trying to use the same powder for all 3. I appreciate the advice.

Next up will be .308.

The one thing you need to understand is that you hinder yourself in flexibility using one powder.

IMR 4895 will load all three, so will H380 but bullet selection will be very limited. And that is the reason you really shouldn't, but that was not the answer you were originally looking for. and now that you've done the research you can see why.

[Dave Hoback]

As Randall already stated, not worth it to sacrifice to use a single powder. Not a HUGE cost savings doing it. If you are going to reload, don’t try to skimp out. Work up loads for them all.

I’ve never reloaded 7.62x39 and never owned 308. Although I do own & reload 260Rem. (308 parent case). For 5.56/223, I’ve always enjoyed BL-C(2).

[edgerly779]

I amlooking for some powder for 300 aAC USING 147 FMJ I have tac, varget, wc844 and some 231

[Cowboy T]

BL-C(2) is my favoured powder for .223/5.56 and .308 Win. The 7.62x39 does better with a faster burning powder. The few I did, just to see if I could, used Accurate 1680.

[ar15barrels]

Originally Posted by edgerly779

I amlooking for some powder for 300 aAC USING 147 FMJ I have tac, varget, wc844 and some 231

LOL.

Use H110.