7.62x39 Experiments

[ToxicSports]

OK gang,

I just velocity tested a few 210 VLD-H subsonic loads.

9.8gr of aa5744 flew at an average of velocity of 888fps for 5 shots. I'll get them on paper and shoot off sandbags ASAP to check stability and accuracy.

I just wish 5744 wouldn't leave as much unburnt powder as it does.

Scott

[Titleiiredneck]

Try aa#9 works great for me.

[ToxicSports]

Try aa#9 works great for me.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try to pick up a jug when I can.

Here are my 210 Berger VLD-H(unting) loads with 9.8gr of 5744 on paper. I know that you guys prefer testing at longer distances with more cartridges but I only test a few initial cartridges at 25yrds because 1) if the load tumbles at 25yards then it's not going to get any better at longer distances. 2) If it doesn't show any type of accuracy (for my limited ability) then it won't be any better at longer distances either.

I tested two 210 loads. They both were loaded with 9.8gr of 5744 but one group had magnum primers. I just wanted to see if there was any difference with the hotter primers. It seems that the Magnum primers were heading towards a more consistent velocity.

1st group:

Regular primers

Vel:825.6, 884.3, "error"


2nd group:

Magnum Primers

vel: 889.8, 846.0, 846.5



It's pretty obvious that these long bullets are tumbling slightly so I may up the charge a little to see if I can settle it down a bit with a tad more velocity. I honestly don't know if the longer bullet will ever be able to be stable at subsonic velocities with my 1-9.5" twist so this test may be over.

Have any of you 300 shooters tested this combo in your rifles yet? I think your 1-8" twist would be perfect. At least they didn't keyhole...at this distance.


I also tested five 174gr FMJBT (.3105dia) over 9.8gr of 4759

Vel:890.3, 921.4, 893.4, 893.8, "error"


This has some good potential and I will load some up with 5744 as well to test.


Scott

[Titleiiredneck]

Cannot find them locally so I stick with hornady and sierra and sometimes some speer for case forming. Your 1~9.5 twist should be good for up to 210 gr but the oal of the bullet may be playing against you. Have you confirmed the twist using a cleaning rod?

[ToxicSports]

Your 1~9.5 twist should be good for up to 210 gr but the oal of the bullet may be playing against you. Have you confirmed the twist using a cleaning rod?

Yes I have confirmed the twist in such a way. As much as I would have loved to see these work I agree that the OAL of the bullet is just too much for this rifle. Then again, experimenting and finding what and what doesn't work is all the fun.

I'll stick with my Lapua D166 and Hornady 220RN for my 200gr+ x39 bullets for future tests.

The way the Bergers acted remind me of shooting the Aguila SSS out of my CZ rifles...they are fairly accurate and just stable enough to not tumble out to medium (50ish yrds) distances. I doubt I'm going to waste these Bergers at 50yrds, or on Groundhogs, but I would imagine that vermin up to Coyote size would be easily removed from the farm if I needed to use them in a pinch.

Now, on to another experiment....

Scott