7.62x39 Ammunition

[RifleMaster]

What components of captured 7.62x39 ammo can be used in US sniper rifles? If the bullets are 0.311 inch in diameter, then they are too large for the freebore of a 7.62 NATO chamber. My SAAMI specifications have the .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO freebore at .310 to .313 inch.

If the bullet can't be used, then that only leaves the powder. Seems like this isn't a good alternative. Better to use captured weapons and ammo or use conponents from .30 caliber machinegun ammo.

The slightly larger 7.62 bullet (.311 inch dia.) is consistant with Communist 12.7 machinegun (.51 caliber), 61mm mortar, and 82mm mortar rounds.

Maybe Dean/Trigger50 or Jim can answer this question.

Carl/RifleMaster

[This message has been edited by RifleMaster (edited 12-31-1999).]

[This message has been edited by RifleMaster (edited 01-02-2000).]

[JY]

Hi Carl;

Almost missed this post, Battlefield Recovery of Ammunition. SOTIC instructs the students to use both the 7.62X54mm 180 gr FMJBT with 42 grains of powder can be loaded into a 7.62X51mm cartrudge case. And that with the 7.62X39mm 120-123 gr FMJFB the same 42 grains of powder may be used. This is only to be used if you expend all your issue ammo.

The enemy ammo is broken down for only the bullet and powder and is assembled using large rifle primers carried by the sniper this is then assembled through the use of a Lee Loader and scoop. The two rules used are a lighter bullet may be substituted for a heavier one, but not the reverse. And a slower burning powder may be substituted for a faster burning , but not the reverse.

As each area of operations may have extreme variations of ammo, specific load data is included in the area study.

Ammo assembled in this way is not as accurate as issue ammo, nor is it as weather proof. this is for emergency use only.

I personnaly would rather use the threat force weapon captured than reloading in this manner, but at times you may not be able to capture a suitable weapon. One reason being that in such a situation you are without a doubt deep in threat country, and the signiture of the weapons fire of their issue weapons will be ignored more so than one of ours, plus factory ammo is more reliable and most foreign weapons will perform as well as the M24 with cobbled ammo.

It works, but it is not the most accurate or reliable ammo, so could save the mission or your life.

take care Carl...Jim

[RifleMaster]

Jim,
Thanks for the informative reply!
I still have a problem with the large bullets! I have shot .309 inch diameter Lapua bullets in a standard chamber, but a .311 inch diameter bullet could be a real honeymoon fit!
My Sierra reloading manual cautions that 7.62x39mm rifles are readily available in two different bore sizes; .308 inch and the original .311 inch diameter. They also stated that they tried using the .311 inch SKS and AK-47 bullet in a .308 test rifle, and it performed surprisingly well. My guess is that their test rifle must have had a chamber/freebore on the high end of the tolerance or they seated the bullets so that only the ogive extended beyond the case neck. But, then the larger bullet would mostlikely make he case neck too large!

Jim, have you tried shooting .311 inch diameter bullets in a M24?

I don't think I want to try it!

Jim, take care ... Carl

[JY]

Hi Carl;

Have shot the .311 in M24 worked okay no signs of pressure, also not much accuracy. the Ruger MiniThirty 7.62X39mm has a .308 bore but handles the Russian and Chinese .311 bullets well,I am not a fan of it, but a buddy is and his performs as well with both the com bloc and the US made ammo.

Take care Carl...Jim

[RifleMaster]

Jim,
Thanks for the info!
I would have expected high pressures and some trouble in chambering the round. Well, I learn something every day!
Take care!
Carl/RifleMaster