Range Report 7.62x39mm & Hornady 123 gr. bullet

[GrampaMike]

Range Report 7.62x39mm & Hornady 123 gr. bullet

Gun: Handi Rifle 7.62x39mm 22” Barrel
Sights: Bushnell 3-9x
Bullet: Hornady 123 gr. #3142 .310 diameter
Case: Lapua Brass 7.62x39mm
Trim Length: 1.518”
Primer: Winchester WLR
C.O.L.: 2.190”
Chronograph: 15 feet
Range Tested: 100 yards

Powders Tested:
Accurate 1680
Accurate 5744
Alliant Blue Dot
Alliant Reloder-7
Hodgdon H-110
Hodgdon H-4227
Hodgdon LilGun
IMR-4227
VihtaVuori N-110
Winchester 296

Most accurate with 18.1 grains of Alliant Blue Dot.
Chronograph average: 2306 fps.
Others Computed numbers with my software.
Energy: 1452
Load Density: 76.6%
Pressure: 44,987 PSI (Max for 7.62x39mm is 51,488 PSI)
Recoil: 5.4
MAX Point Blank Range: 221 yards with 188 yard zero (7” Diameter used)

Most energy with 24.1 grains of Winchester 296.
Chronograph average: 2524 fps.
Others Computed numbers with my software.
Energy: 1740
Load Density: 77.3%
Pressure: 45,177 PSI (Max for 7.62x39mm is 51,488 PSI)
Recoil: 7.1
MAX Point Blank Range: 242 yards with 206 yard zero (7” Diameter used)

[eskimo36]

What size of groups are you getting from best to worst?

[superjay01]

great job on the range report. I had a 7.62x39 it was a great shooter. It's now being reborn to a 303 British can't wait to get my hands on it when it gets done.

[ironduke2]

Had mine rechambered to 7.62x54R. Doesn't shoot to bad. Need to do more work with it. Bob

[eskimo36]

I have been shooting mine with 200 grain spitzers and 165 grain lead bullets with 5-6 grains of trail boss for a subsonic load.  I am getting groups of around 2" at 50 yards.   I haven't chrono'd any of these.   It is a very pleasant load to shoot with low noise.  I am thinking this will be my calling rifle for most sets this fall and winter unless I am sitting in a 500 acre hay meadow along the river.