Handloads for SKS

res45 · 09-07-2007, 05:44 PM

UPDATED TODAY Sept. 8 2007

Ok got out this morning and did a little testing with my 150 Gr. SP loads. I feel like this load will shoot allot better I'm using iron sights and my eye sight of late isn't what it used to be definitely need a new pair of glasses for my shooting to improve . My sights are set 1" high at 50 Yds. The load functioned perfectly ejecting the spend brass about 15 ft. from my table. I had one slight flyer on each group or they would have been a bit tighter,but I'm happy with the results for a short range heavy bullet load. Max load in the LEE manual is 24.8 Gr. of Reloader #7 My load was 24.0 Grs. even. I saw no pressure signs on the primer with either combination used,according to the load data the MV is a little over 2100 fps. I used the load data from the newest LEE reloading manual. The rounds seem to equal the feel of Golden Tiger they definitely have a little punch to them.

Prvi Partizan 150 Gr. .311 BT SP

Speer 150 Gr. .311 FB SP The black squares are 1/2"

I also spent about a day working on a load for my YUGO SKS for the standard 123 Gr. load. Using Winchester cases,trimmed to length with the Lee case length guage & cutter, CCI #34 Mil-Spec primers, AA1680 powder and the Hornady 123Gr. SP seated & crimped right on the cannalure using the LEE factory crimp die. There is nothing special about this load,It just simply shoots. I think most SKS's in good working order and a good bore would do this with the correct load. The Mil-Surplus ammo just doesn't bring out the best in these rifles. For the 123 Gr. load is used the data from the Lyman #48 manual the max load for AA1680 is 25.5 but I talked to the Tech at CCI and he told me 26.0 Grs. was ok,as always I would suggest you each work up the load and not go straight to the MAX charge I use.

Test Targets 50 Yds. 1 1/2" Bull

Components Used
I bought my supplies from these suppliers mainly the powder & primers because my local shop doesn't carry Accurate powders, but you may be able to purchase them at your local reloading supplier and save yourself the $20 Hazmat fees. Although AA1680 is specifically made for the 7.62 x 39 Reloader #7 seem to do just as well and I can pick that up locally.

Dies Lee Pacesetter 3 die set w/factory crimp die. MidwayUSA - Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set 7.62x39mm Russian

Brass Winchester
MidwayUSA - Winchester Brass 7.62x39mm Russian Bag of 50

Primers CCI #34 Mil Spec 7.62 mm bought in 1K lots
Powder Valley, Inc.

Powder Accurate 1680
Powder Valley, Inc.

Bullet Hornady 123 Gr. SP
MidwayUSA - Hornady Bullets 7.62x39mm (310 Diameter) 123 Grain Spire Point Box of 100 (Packaged in Frankford Arsenal Utility Box)

Small diameter front sight post click on the accessories tab on the left side of web page.
Tech-SIGHTS Precision Shooting Accessories

jerry · 09-07-2007, 06:47 PM

Alot of effort there. Thanks for sharing. The 7.62 x 39 is just about the only thing I don't have dies for.

SilentSoul · 09-08-2007, 07:43 AM

Very impressive res

res45 · 09-08-2007, 01:59 PM

Thanks It was allot harder to put that post together than it was to do the reloading and testing,if there is any other info I can pass along or something I have left out that might be of help I haven't thought about please post a question. I have attached two PDF files with the ballistics date I printed out for the Hornady 123 Gr. & Speer 150 Gr. SP loads.

res45 · 09-08-2007, 07:20 PM

I had someone message me about sights and crimping. I only use the TechSight front post. The rear sight on my YUGO works just fine with the smaller dia. pin its about 1/2 the size of the original factory pin. You will need to spread the bottom of the new pin slightly so you get a good tight fit I also put a drop of blue thread locker on mine.

The rounds are crimped but its hard to tell from the pic I used the LEE factory crimp die that came with my die set. The .310 dia 123 Gr.bullet crimp shows up more because of the cannelure, however the .311 dia 150 Gr. Speer bullet does not have a cannelure and is crimped on the same setting but has the extra 0.001 to help hold it in place. The LEE factory crimp die will not crush the case like the regular roll crimp will if you apply to much crimp, it just compresses the neck at the point of contact and makes it own cannelure on bullets that do not have one.

burd1959 · 09-09-2007, 12:13 PM

dont use imr 4227 powder i maxed it and still wouldnt eject the shell book said it would work go figger

res45 · 09-09-2007, 12:37 PM

I tried IMR 4227 it's not the best choice you only get about 1800 fps MV with the 150 Gr. pill. Reloader #7,AA1680,IMR4198 are you best choices for the 150 Gr. Reloader #7 & AA1680 are excellent in both 123 Gr. & 150 Gr. loads. If I had to choose only one powder I would take the Reloader#7 because you can use it with cast bullets loads also in all military type rifles.

rookie1129 · 09-09-2007, 01:55 PM

Ive mentioned in previoud replies that I ve never had good results with good ammo (hand loaded) through my SKS. How ever with the cheapest most corosive chinese ammo I could find it would drive tacks.

09-07-2007, 05:44 PM	#1
res45 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 322	Handloads for SKS UPDATED TODAY Sept. 8 2007 Ok got out this morning and did a little testing with my 150 Gr. SP loads. I feel like this load will shoot allot better I'm using iron sights and my eye sight of late isn't what it used to be definitely need a new pair of glasses for my shooting to improve . My sights are set 1" high at 50 Yds. The load functioned perfectly ejecting the spend brass about 15 ft. from my table. I had one slight flyer on each group or they would have been a bit tighter,but I'm happy with the results for a short range heavy bullet load. Max load in the LEE manual is 24.8 Gr. of Reloader #7 My load was 24.0 Grs. even. I saw no pressure signs on the primer with either combination used,according to the load data the MV is a little over 2100 fps. I used the load data from the newest LEE reloading manual. The rounds seem to equal the feel of Golden Tiger they definitely have a little punch to them. Prvi Partizan 150 Gr. .311 BT SP Speer 150 Gr. .311 FB SP The black squares are 1/2" I also spent about a day working on a load for my YUGO SKS for the standard 123 Gr. load. Using Winchester cases,trimmed to length with the Lee case length guage & cutter, CCI #34 Mil-Spec primers, AA1680 powder and the Hornady 123Gr. SP seated & crimped right on the cannalure using the LEE factory crimp die. There is nothing special about this load,It just simply shoots. I think most SKS's in good working order and a good bore would do this with the correct load. The Mil-Surplus ammo just doesn't bring out the best in these rifles. For the 123 Gr. load is used the data from the Lyman #48 manual the max load for AA1680 is 25.5 but I talked to the Tech at CCI and he told me 26.0 Grs. was ok,as always I would suggest you each work up the load and not go straight to the MAX charge I use. Test Targets 50 Yds. 1 1/2" Bull Components Used I bought my supplies from these suppliers mainly the powder & primers because my local shop doesn't carry Accurate powders, but you may be able to purchase them at your local reloading supplier and save yourself the $20 Hazmat fees. Although AA1680 is specifically made for the 7.62 x 39 Reloader #7 seem to do just as well and I can pick that up locally. Dies Lee Pacesetter 3 die set w/factory crimp die. MidwayUSA - Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set 7.62x39mm Russian Brass Winchester MidwayUSA - Winchester Brass 7.62x39mm Russian Bag of 50 Primers CCI #34 Mil Spec 7.62 mm bought in 1K lots Powder Valley, Inc. Powder Accurate 1680 Powder Valley, Inc. Bullet Hornady 123 Gr. SP MidwayUSA - Hornady Bullets 7.62x39mm (310 Diameter) 123 Grain Spire Point Box of 100 (Packaged in Frankford Arsenal Utility Box) Small diameter front sight post click on the accessories tab on the left side of web page. Tech-SIGHTS Precision Shooting Accessories Last edited by res45; 09-14-2007 at 01:01 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

09-07-2007, 06:47 PM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,881 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Alot of effort there. Thanks for sharing. The 7.62 x 39 is just about the only thing I don't have dies for. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

09-08-2007, 07:43 AM	#3
SilentSoul Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 603 Images: 1	Very impressive res

09-08-2007, 07:20 PM	#5
res45 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 322	I had someone message me about sights and crimping. I only use the TechSight front post. The rear sight on my YUGO works just fine with the smaller dia. pin its about 1/2 the size of the original factory pin. You will need to spread the bottom of the new pin slightly so you get a good tight fit I also put a drop of blue thread locker on mine. The rounds are crimped but its hard to tell from the pic I used the LEE factory crimp die that came with my die set. The .310 dia 123 Gr.bullet crimp shows up more because of the cannelure, however the .311 dia 150 Gr. Speer bullet does not have a cannelure and is crimped on the same setting but has the extra 0.001 to help hold it in place. The LEE factory crimp die will not crush the case like the regular roll crimp will if you apply to much crimp, it just compresses the neck at the point of contact and makes it own cannelure on bullets that do not have one.

09-09-2007, 12:13 PM	#6
burd1959 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: burton michigan Posts: 606	dont use imr 4227 powder i maxed it and still wouldnt eject the shell book said it would work go figger

09-09-2007, 12:37 PM	#7
res45 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 322	I tried IMR 4227 it's not the best choice you only get about 1800 fps MV with the 150 Gr. pill. Reloader #7,AA1680,IMR4198 are you best choices for the 150 Gr. Reloader #7 & AA1680 are excellent in both 123 Gr. & 150 Gr. loads. If I had to choose only one powder I would take the Reloader#7 because you can use it with cast bullets loads also in all military type rifles.

09-09-2007, 01:55 PM	#8
rookie1129 Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south Louisiana Posts: 50	Ive mentioned in previoud replies that I ve never had good results with good ammo (hand loaded) through my SKS. How ever with the cheapest most corosive chinese ammo I could find it would drive tacks.