Author Topic: 7.62 X 39 - .308 or .311? (Read 409 times)

winman · « **on:** August 16, 2005, 07:47:41 AM »

Surely asked before, but how does one know for sure which to buy or use if starting to reload? How do you determine which bullet diameter would be correct? Please pardon my ignorance.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2005, 08:11:52 AM »

Slug the barrel...

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** August 16, 2005, 08:32:08 AM »

Check a good and current reloading manual like Speer or Hornady. They will tell you specifically what bullet is recommended.

If you're using a gun made from with questionable techniques of manufacturing, as in some Chinese combat rifles, Ricciardelli's advice makes a lot of sense.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #3 on:** August 16, 2005, 12:18:31 PM »

It don't matter as much as you might think. First off, .308 is pretty rare in 7.62x39; some early Rugers and some custom barrels are about it. For anything else, .310 and .311s are the best choice. With jacketed bullets with less than max loads, all three are pretty well interchangeable. You'll see some minor differences in accuracy, velocity, and pressure, but only minor.

When SKSs were a rarity in the US, and ammo was even scarcer, .308 bullets were routinely used. Now that import ammo is plentiful and cheap, tons of .310-311 bullets go down .308 bores. It ain't optimal, but it's workable.

Cast is a different story. They are utterly intolerant of oversized bores, but pretty forgiving of tight bores.

jerkface11 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2005, 12:24:55 PM »

Try some .308 bullets first the gun may like them slugging the barrel will tell you the bore diameter but it won't tell you what the gun will shoot well.

jgalar · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2005, 03:36:07 PM »

I would try .308 bullets first. When I was reloading jacketed bullets for my chinese sks the sierra .308 110 grain hollow points shot better than other bullets that I tried - and the bore slugs out at .313

Much better selection of bullets available in .308 so they are worth a try.

PaulS · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2005, 11:13:22 AM »

Winman,
A quick e-mail to the manufacturer of the weapon or a trip to your gunsmith should give you the information that you need to reload the proper size of bullet.
As I understand it, Thompson makes their barrels in .308" while the European manufacturers makes theirs in .311 - .312.

PaulS

Quote from: winman

Surely asked before, but how does one know for sure which to buy or use if starting to reload? How do you determine which bullet diameter would be correct? Please pardon my ignorance.