By Stephen Redgwell
Review & Description
With domestic and military surplus stocks at an all time low, it was time to think about loading my own. I wanted hunting and plinking ammunition, so I tested five different bullets - three 123 grain and two 150 grain.
But before I reloaded anything, I wanted to check out how commercially made ammunition shot. If I ever run out of handloads, I'll know what to buy. I tested Federal, PMC and Winchester factory loads as well as Prvi Partizan, Igman and even some Norinco Silver box - for the hell of it. All the test results are there. Some may surprise you!
Also: Case Comparisons - Using Water to Measure the Volume Difference and Pressure Variations - Differences Caused by Changing the Case.
I also did tests with WC 735, an inexpensive military surplus powder similar to H335, using 123 and 150 grain bullets.
7.62x39 brass - wow, there is quite a difference in internal volume between the six brands I tried!! What an eye opener!
The powder charge, bullet and primer remained the same, but the pressure jumped as I switched case types and the internal case capacity was reduced! Pressure started at 50k, but skyrocketed to 67K. EVERY loader of this cartridge should know which brand has the most internal space...and the least!
This shows why you should always start at the minimum load listed!!
I also tested six commercial loads. Which ones shot the tightest groups? Reloaders and non-reloaders will want to know which brands shot the best...and the worst.
You should have heard the reactions from my friends when I told them about my new Remington 799 bolt gun. Everyone said that it was underpowered. I couldn’t figure out why. With a 150 grain bullet, fired from a lightweight deer rifle, it should be perfect. Launched at 2200 fps, it had over 1400 ft/lb of energy at 100 yd. Even using a 125 grain bullet, it had over 1200 ft/lb of energy at 100 yards if it started out at 2450 fps.
Table of Contents
Cartridge Specifications
The 7.62x39 (M43)
7.62x39 Rifles
Build Your Own
The Plan
The Factory Cartridges
Range Notes: Commercial Loads
US Made Ammunition
European Made Ammunition
Figuring Out the Handloads
Primers
Cases
Case Preparation Tools
Case Comparisons - Using Water to Measure the Volume Difference
Pressure Variations - Differences Caused by Changing the Case
Load Data - includes Range Notes
125 Grain Range Notes
123 Grain Hornady SP
123 Grain Lapua FMJ
125 Grain Sierra SP
150 Grain Range Notes
150 Grain Hornady Spire Point
150 Grain Speer SP
Tests with WC 735 - 123 and 150 Grain Bullets
Conclusions
Powder Burn Rates
Story - Hey You…Boy! Read more
No comments:
Post a Comment