killing power in a 7.62x39mm

[bsrecurve]

hi all.

was wondering who here has shot game with cast bullets (deer or pig sized game) out of the little russian. and how was the killing power/performance.
looking into options now for reloading for my baikal single shot.

thanks - BS

[jsh]

I can't comment on hogs or cast bullets. I killed a few deer with my SKS and factory WW soft nose ammo. Worked as good as a 30-30.
Killing power=shot placement in my book.
jeff

[bsrecurve]

very true jeff.

anyone out there tried casts in there little russian.....?

[mechanic]

I did try some cast, but had feeding problems.  They shot well, just didn't feed well.  IMHO you can liken this round to a 30-30.  I've killed deer with the soft points, and I suspect the cast would be similar.  Just put it where it needs to go.

[Jacko]

Brian have you slugged the bore on your Baikal yet mate , I remember reading somewhere that the bore could be .308 and not .311 on some of those rifles .

regards Jacko

[Nobade]

I use nothing but cast in my CZ carbine. Lee C-312-155-2R and Lyman 311359 are the two most commonly fired bullets, sized to .313 and loaded over WC680 or AA1680. It has launched at least 4000 rounds in the last 5 years, still shows no wear with the borescope and still holds 1 1/4 inches at 100 yards. Great rifles, and wonderful cast bullet round! For hunting, either a 120gr. or so flatnose bullet with the nose annealed or a pure lead paper patched bullet works as good as anything else you'll use if you keep the range reasonable.

[bsrecurve]

thanks for the info guys.

perrry  -i haven't slugged it yet (and it may be a while before i do). but i have heard similar from different sources - some say 308, some say 311, so i guess there's only one way to find out.....

[OBXPilgrim]

I killed a whitetail deer this past season with an H&R Handi Rifle in 7.62x39 using a cast bullet. 

I got two deer this year, actually both with cast.  One was around 40 yard shot & the other was around 70 yards - I don't remember which was the 7.62x39 and which was my 30-06 (also handi rifle).  Doesn't much matter though - 7.62x39 was loaded with a 311407 Loverin design (custom oversize mold) 180 gr slug at 1880 fps.  The 30-06 was loaded with a 311041 slug (173gr) loaded to 1800 fps (my rifle was most accurate at that speed with this slug).  With the 311407 slug, the gas check was hanging below the case neck into the powder - could not tell of any adverse affects (some peeps get tore up about that).

Both shots were broadside, double lung & top of the heart shots.  Couldn't tell any difference in the killing power of either - deer ran 30-40 yards & piled up, both times.  Both loads used H4895 powder & were within 6.0 grs of each other (30-06 & 7.62x39).

Hope that helps

[matthewquigley]

where are you in chargeweight  of 4895 as a reference?

[bsrecurve]

I killed a whitetail deer this past season with an H&R Handi Rifle in 7.62x39 using a cast bullet. 

I got two deer this year, actually both with cast.  One was around 40 yard shot & the other was around 70 yards - I don't remember which was the 7.62x39 and which was my 30-06 (also handi rifle).  Doesn't much matter though - 7.62x39 was loaded with a 311407 Loverin design (custom oversize mold) 180 gr slug at 1880 fps.  The 30-06 was loaded with a 311041 slug (173gr) loaded to 1800 fps (my rifle was most accurate at that speed with this slug).  With the 311407 slug, the gas check was hanging below the case neck into the powder - could not tell of any adverse affects (some peeps get tore up about that).

Both shots were broadside, double lung & top of the heart shots.  Couldn't tell any difference in the killing power of either - deer ran 30-40 yards & piled up, both times.  Both loads used H4895 powder & were within 6.0 grs of each other (30-06 & 7.62x39).

Hope that helps

thankyou for that - that's the kind of info i'm after.

i will start off by trying some commercially made casts, and if i'm inclined to, will get a mold or 2 and make my own.

[OBXPilgrim]

Well known cast bullet reloader Ed Harris has several articles about cast bullet loading, you'd be much better off searching for some of his info.  Whatever OAL length you need, set first & work up from there - I'm sure everyone has heard all the disclaimer & this one's mine - don't be an idiot & jup right to top loads on any reloading data.

With that aside, with H4895, I was at 24 grs in the 7.62x39 & 30 grs in the '06.  OAL's were 2.220" for the 7.62x39 (thinking of using this in an AK or SKS? - won't work), and 3.100" for the '06.  They work in MY guns.

The commercially cast slugs may shoot fine, but good luck getting any expansion.  I think you'll find them pretty hard.

[Larry Gibson]

hi all.

was wondering who here has shot game with cast bullets (deer or pig sized game) out of the little russian. and how was the killing power/performance.
looking into options now for reloading for my baikal single shot.

thanks - BS

I have shot lots of deer with cast 30 caliber bullets in various cartridges.  In most the muzzle velocity was 2000 to 2200 fps which is within the range of the 7.62x39 in your single shot rifle.  Also with your SS rifle you are not restriced by bullet weight ot nose shape.  I'd suggest you look at a mould that casts a .312 dimater bullet, has a large meplat and is of 150-170 gr in weight (fully dressed).  With H4895 or RL7 you should be able to drive said bullet to 2000 to 2200 fps within safe pressures.  That is the equal of the 30-30 Winchester.  Such a load with such a cast bullet when cast of suitable alloy will give you a 200 yards effective range on deer/pigs. 

I have a group buy mould from the Cast Boolit Forum that casts a 160 gr .314 bullet with a WFN that I've developed a load with H4895 in my Mk X Mauser at 2000 fps.  I've no doubt it would be very effective on deer/pigs and will soon test it on pigs.

Larry Gibson