Thread: 7.62x39 Supersonic Reloading

Hi Team,

Looking for some advice on loading my 7.62x39 Howa Mini. Main purpose is for goats, deer, pigs up to the typical effective range of this caliber. Don't see myself shooting past 100m often.

Published load information appears to be relatively scarce, unlike the more common calibers.
Majority of previous posts on the forum seem to be related to subsonic loads, which I will eventually have a crack at as well. But in the meantime I'd appreciate some advice on supersonic loads that are similar to factory ammo.

I've got .310 diameter Hornady 123gr soft points, PPU brass, and AR2207.

My questions in particular are:
1. What would a typical powder charge be?
2. What would a typical overall cartridge length be?
3. What is the correct primer size? Small rifle or large rifle?

Any other advice on this caliber would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thank you.

If you can find any hornady steel case set or barnaul soft or hollow point buy it it's cheaper than reloading and fine for what you want.
Every powder supplier and bullet maker now has recipient for this round, it's pretty much as universal as the 223/556.
I would see if your rifle will shoot 308 projectiles accurately, some do and that opens the door to a whole range of different bullet styles as well as being a little less expensive.

Try outdoorsman in Rotorua they used to stock the 50pack of hornady training ammo ,was deadly on deer and used the sst bullet,about $75

I've got .310 diameter Hornady 123gr soft points, PPU brass, and AR2207.

That's all you need. I did find PPU primer pockets didn't last very long. Lapua 7.62x39 is pretty cheap though and will last 5x as long - highly recommend.

1. What would a typical powder charge be?
2. What would a typical overall cartridge length be?
3. What is the correct primer size? Small rifle or large rifle?

1. Somewhere between 25 and 30 grains.
2. Those SP's you've got have got a cannelure to guide you.
3. Large.

Plenty of reloading data online and in manuals mate. The max OAL, primer size etc... is all well published.

^ Yup- what he says. you wont get much better powder for the Russian (BLK CFE may be a tad better velocity but not much).

Do make sure you start at 25.0 gns or so and work up, some rifles might start to show pressure signs at 28.0 gns

I didnt use 2207...had 2206 on hand...with 2206 you basically CANT overload...it simply wont fit enough in case to do so... I also had tin of lilgun and got mate to quickload it for me...results were great.
as has been said above seat to cannalure....easy way to set up your die is set up seating die with your trimmed case...lock in place and unscrew seating stem lots,then place factory round in die and let ram handle sit fully down relaxed...then screw in seater stem UNTILL handle starts to quiver/move...remove factory round and try loading up a round...check how projectile depth looks,in SAFE way try chambering in rifle.....make sure its short enough to have at least 1mm clearance in mag...
Bobs your uncle.