(Note: These are maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various
Powders.)
Bullet is .311″ diameter. (This is same dia. as British .303)
This is the round shot in the AK-47, the SKS and several other good autos on
the used military rifle scene. Some of the thousands of rounds of military
ammo are STEEL cases and not suitable for reloading. To verify which is which,
carry a small magnet and check whether the cases are brass or steel. If you
buy steel, plan to discard them after use.
Almost all military ammo uses the 123 grain FMJ bullet. There are loads for a
150 grain bullet, but this will not work in many of the autos. This would be
best suited in something like the Ruger Bolt Action for this cartridge.
MAXIMUM LOADS – – DO NOT EXCEED
122-125 grain Speer SP or FMJ
| Reloader 7 | 25.5 gr. | 2,330 FPS | |
| H4895 | 29.0 gr. | 2,249 | |
| H4198 | 26.5 gr. | 2,378 | |
| 2400 | 15.3 gr. | 1,915 | |
| A1680 | 25.5 gr. | 2,368 | |
| A2230 | 29.5 gr. | 2,176 | |
| IMR 4895 | 29.0 gr. | 2,198 | compressed |
| Viht. N120 | 23.2 gr. | 2,258 | (123 grain Hornady FMJ) |
| Viht. N120 | 24.0 gr. | 2,350 | (123 grain Hornady FMJ) |
150 grain Speer Spire SP
| H4895 | 28.0 gr. | 2,154 FPS |
| H4198 | 24.5 gr. | 2,122 |
| 2400 | 14.8 gr. | 1,800 |
| Reloader7 | 24.8 gr. | 2,145 |
| A1680 | 22.5 gr. | 2,055 |
| A2230 | 27.0 gr. | 1,976 |
Discussion: There are plenty of these rifles and rounds of ammo on the market
today, but it may be drying up in the future. It would be wise to buy
reloadable rounds in large quantities while available and prices are not too
high.
* #2400, Reloader 7, 11, 12, and 15 are products of Alliant (formerly
Hercules) Powders. H380, H414, H450, H4350 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon
Powders. IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder
Company. A2230, A2495, A2700, A3100, A2015 and A2460 are products of Accurate
Arms Company WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 680, 231 and 540 are products of
Winchester, Components Div. Viht N120, N130 and N140 are products of
VihtaVuori Oy Company, Ammunition Unit
References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet – – Alliant Powder Co.
Reloaders’ Guide (1995) – – Hodgdon’s Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) – – Speer
Reloading Manual, #12 – – Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition
– – Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. – – VihtaVuori Oy
Company,reloading booklet (1995) – – Numerous magazine articles on reloading
special calibers and personal loads where noted.
2 Responses
Notes…I’m my experience the 7.62 x 39 brass case has a tendency to collapse at the shoulder if not seated absolutely “square”. Even using the proper .311 neck expander. Take a bit more time getting the neck clean if needed. If you get more than normal resistance, stop, evaluate and try again. Also, spent brass fired in an AK will make a small dent in the case body. Seems like not a big issue, once sized, loaded and shot, I have discovered splits in some cases where the dings were. Apparently it weakens the wall of some cases. No rhyme or reason as to which brand at this point. Just inspect well.
Hello, with the advent of coated hard cast bullets, how about some data for those? Missouri Bullet for example sells a .311, 135 grain coated bullet that should be just the ticket. Thank you.