The Fundamentals of 7.62×39 Reloading:
Prioritizing Safety Above All Else
Reloading is a precision craft, and with it comes inherent risks. It’s absolutely critical to approach this hobby with the utmost respect for safety protocols. Always wear appropriate safety gear, including eye protection, hearing protection, and gloves. Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes from the powder or cleaning solvents.
Never attempt to reload if you are tired, distracted, or under the influence of anything that could impair your judgment. Always follow published load data meticulously, and never exceed the maximum recommended powder charges. Overcharging a cartridge can lead to catastrophic failure, resulting in serious injury. Reloading manuals are your bible, and adhering to their guidelines is non-negotiable. Regular inspections of your equipment and your reloads are essential.
Essential Tools of the Trade
To successfully reload 7.62×39 cartridges, you’ll need a collection of specialized equipment. Let’s explore the essential tools needed to create custom ammunition.
The Reloading Press: The heart of the operation, the reloading press holds the dies and provides the mechanical advantage needed for resizing, priming, and seating bullets. Different types exist, including single-stage, turret, and progressive presses. Single-stage presses are ideal for beginners due to their simplicity and precise control, while turret and progressive presses offer faster reloading speeds once you gain experience. Choose a press built to handle the stresses of full-length resizing the 7.62×39 brass.
Reloading Dies: Dies are the tools that shape and prepare the brass casings for your desired bullet. A complete die set for 7.62×39 generally includes a full-length resizing die, a seating die, and a crimping die. Full-length resizing dies resize the entire case, ensuring that it fits smoothly in your rifle’s chamber. Seating dies carefully place the bullet into the case. Crimping dies, optional but often beneficial, create a secure bond between the bullet and the case, promoting consistent bullet pull and contributing to more accurate results.
The Weighing Device: Precise powder measurement is paramount. A high-quality scale is indispensable. Electronic scales offer speed and convenience, while beam scales provide time-tested accuracy. Calibration is key – ensure your scale is properly zeroed and calibrated regularly with known weights to ensure accurate measurements.
Powder Dispensing Mechanisms: For efficient powder charging, a powder dispenser is a must. Manual powder dispensers are common and require you to manually measure and dispense the powder. They offer greater control. Automatic powder dispensers are available and can speed up the process for experienced reloaders.
Case Preparation Aids: These tools are crucial for preparing brass casings: a case trimmer to ensure that all cases are the same length; a deburring tool and chamfering tool to smooth the case mouth for easy bullet seating; and a primer pocket cleaning tool, because primer pockets can collect carbon and residue.
Supplemental Items: Shell holders are necessary to hold the case in the press. Calipers are essential for measuring case dimensions and overall cartridge length. A bullet puller is a tool used to remove a bullet from a loaded cartridge if you make a mistake or want to disassemble a loaded round.
The Key Components: Your Materials
Understanding the components that come together to create a round of 7.62×39 ammunition is key to understanding reloading.
Brass Casings: The foundation of your reload. 7.62×39 casings are available from various manufacturers, in brass or steel. Brass is generally preferred due to its malleability, allowing for more reloads, and often easier to handle. The preparation of your casings is essential. This begins with cleaning, which often involves tumbling in a media-filled drum. Next, you resize the case, then trim it to the correct length. Finally, you deburr and chamfer the case mouth.
Primers: The small but mighty spark that ignites the powder. The type of primer must match the case design. The selection of the correct primer can significantly impact accuracy and consistency. Choose primers suited for the cartridge and powder you are using.
Gun Powder: The propellant that provides the energy to propel the bullet down the barrel. Selecting the right powder is critical. Consult reliable load data sources to determine the appropriate powder type and the recommended powder charge for your chosen bullet weight and primer combination. Never mix powders.
Projectiles: The projectile, or bullet, is what flies downrange. Bullet selection depends on your intended use. For target shooting, you might choose a full metal jacket (FMJ) bullet for its consistent performance. For hunting, you might prefer a hollow point or soft point bullet designed to expand on impact. Pay attention to bullet weight. Consider the twist rate of your rifle barrel, as different bullet weights will perform differently in different barrel twist rates.
Where to Locate the Ingredients: Reliable suppliers of reloading components are vital. Local gun stores, specialized reloading shops, and online retailers are common sources for casings, bullets, powder, and primers.
The Reloading Steps: A Step-by-Step Approach
The process of reloading is methodical, requiring a careful approach.
Cleaning the Casings
Removing residue and debris is crucial. You can tumble the cases in a vibrating tumbler filled with media or use an ultrasonic cleaner. Clean brass is vital for successful reloading.
Resizing the Brass
Using the full-length resizing die in your press, you shape the fired brass back to its original dimensions, readying it to accept a new bullet. This ensures a proper fit within your rifle’s chamber.
Trimming to Correct Length
Consistent case length is critical for accuracy. Use a case trimmer to trim each case to the manufacturer’s specified length, ensuring consistency and uniform performance.
Deburring and Chamfering
Once you’ve trimmed the case, you need to deburr the inside and chamfer the outside of the case mouth. Deburring removes the sharp edges left by trimming, and chamfering bevels the case mouth to help seat the bullet.
Priming the Cases
Place a new primer into the primer pocket using a priming tool on your reloading press or a separate hand-priming tool. Ensure the primer is seated properly and flush with the case head.
Charging with Propellant
Carefully measure and dispense the correct amount of powder into each case using your chosen powder dispensing method, ensuring you measure with accuracy.
Bullet Placement
Gently seat the bullet into the case using the seating die. Adjust the seating depth to achieve the desired overall cartridge length (OAL).
Inspection and Review
Before you consider the reloading complete, check the OAL of each loaded round using your calipers. Carefully inspect each round for any inconsistencies or defects.
Load Data and Best Practices for Consistency
Safe and accurate reloading hinges on the use of reliable load data and best practices.
Sources of Trusted Data
Reloading manuals are your primary resource. These publications from respected manufacturers provide detailed load data for various bullets, powders, and primers. Online resources like powder manufacturer websites are also valuable. Always use load data specifically for your components.
Beginning with Milder Loads
When working on new load development, always start with the minimum powder charge specified in your load data. This approach gives you a margin of safety and allows you to carefully observe pressure signs as you increase the charge.
Increasing the Charge
Gradually increase the powder charge in small increments, carefully monitoring the performance and any signs of excessive pressure. Never exceed the maximum recommended powder charge listed in your load data.
Identifying Warnings of Trouble
During load development, you must watch for signs of overpressure. Look for flattened primers, hard bolt extraction, or ejector marks on the case head. If you notice any of these, stop immediately and reduce the powder charge.
Keeping Records of Performance
Document all your reloading data. Record the type of bullet, powder, primer, and the powder charge. Note the OAL and any observed results, such as velocity or accuracy. Accurate record-keeping is essential for reproducible loads.
Troubleshooting and Dealing with Issues
Problems can arise during the reloading process. Knowing how to diagnose and resolve these issues is vital.
Primer Problems
Failure to prime is a common issue. This may result from insufficient force in the primer pocket. Improper primer seating is also something to be avoided.
Case Issues
Cases can become stuck in dies. Case head separations can happen with older brass, or brass that’s been reloaded too many times. Always inspect your brass.
Powder Issues
Inconsistent powder charges can lead to poor accuracy. Double-charge errors are dangerous and can be the source of squib loads, where the bullet gets stuck in the barrel. Be careful of hang-fires.
Accuracy Problems
Many factors can contribute to poor accuracy. If your reloads are not performing as expected, examine the components, the load, and your rifle.
Keys to Reloading Success
Start Small: Begin by reloading only a small batch of rounds. This will allow you to master the basics and refine your technique.
Maintenance and Order: Keep your reloading bench and your tools clean, orderly, and ready. Maintenance is essential.
Seek Advice: Don’t hesitate to consult with experienced reloaders and local gunsmiths. Learn from others.
Practice and Consistency: Reloading is a skill that develops with practice. The more you reload, the better you will become.
Conclusion
Reloading 7.62×39 is a rewarding pursuit that offers a deeper connection to the shooting sports, greater flexibility, and the potential to save money. By understanding the fundamentals, utilizing the right tools, and prioritizing safety, you can embark on a journey that will allow you to create customized ammunition tailored to your specific needs. Embrace the learning process, master the techniques, and enjoy the satisfaction of crafting your own superior ammunition. Remember that safe reloading requires continuous education and attention.
So, begin your exploration of 7.62×39 reloading, and get ready to experience the excitement and satisfaction of crafting your own ammunition. Always stay safe and have fun in your journey to improve your craft!
