Reloading The 7.62×39 Russian Rifle

Posted on: Thursday January 7, 2021
Reloading The 7.62×39 Russian Rifle
MD Smith

MD Smith

(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.