7.62x39 Vs 300blk for a reloader

[Wolfdog91]

So got my NV rig back up and running after having it parted out to some buddies. Well it's a real poverty pony lol. FMK poly lower ,bear Creek upper, used ATN XSite ,yes I'm poor what can I say lol. Well honestly I kinda built the thing as a cheap hog killer ,hence why I got one chambered in 7.62x39. Back when I built it ,I could got to Walmart,the pawn shop or the hardware store heck about anywhere really and get a 20-40rd box of Tula or wolf steel cased HP/SP for $5-$12 all day. Well as y'all know we cant really get that stuff anymore I'm kinda regretting my choice all things considered.
Anyhow now I'm looking reloading for it. Got dies brass and it slugged out to .308 so I can just use most of what I have already. My question is before I go any further, for somone who reloads is there any advantage a 7.63x39 has over a .300blk ? Because so far I'm not seeing much.
Seems the .300 will have it beat in everything and just be cheaper especially if I make my own brass. But figured I'd ask and see what the more experienced guys think.
Thanks !

 

[philip brousseau]

I would definitely stay with the 7.62x39.

 

[ebb]

300BLK was designed with a smaller case capacity than the 7.62-39 so it would be better in subsonic loads and not have a big empty case with the small powder charges needed to be subsonic. i see no can on that rifle so if you are not shooting suppressed, I think you are better off with what you have .

 

[dellet]

In general, the 300 Blackout would have the advantage due a much better selection of bullets to choose from. Since you have a .308 bore, that advantage is gone, unless you intend to shoot subsonic.

The longer the case, the less choice you have in bullets. Bullets seated below the neck rob much needed case volume, that’s less of a problem with a fatter case.

So it depends on your priorities. First is effective range, then price.
If 200 yards is a limitation then the Blackout will be fine and it’s just a choice. Reaching out past that at night, you’ll want all the velocity you can get. Not that the Blackout isn’t capable at 300 yards, but night hunting is a bit more of a challenge.

A 3rd option would be 300 Ham’r. Uses the same 223/5.56 case, but bullet selection starts to drop due to to longer case length. It will add 200+ fps to the Blackout, but again subs are off the table.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The 300blk wins in the subsonic suppressed category and thats the only one. If youre shooting hogs you have the right cartridge

 

[Ray123]

It always...Depends on what you are doing. I use 300 blackout ....and 300 Hamr 18" is my favorite in that Caliber 150 gr Speer BT 2398 ave 8.0 S/D with excellent accuracy, or the 125 accubond, or 130 gr these will run at 2500 to 2589 fps..110 gr up to 2800 fps depending on bullet ....or over 3000 fps with Lehigh defense 308 CQB 78 gr bullet for fun...both these calibers use cheap and free brass found most anywhere. But if you like your 7.62×39 keep using it especially if you are shooting it for 25 cents per shot...cause with the inflated price of bullets, powder, and primers...the 7.62 X 39 for now seems to be a good value, and getting the job done...stock up. If you want more variety or 3000 fps the 300 Hamr will give good performance and more variety, and is accurate ...but ya have to reload....want subsonic 300 blackout is your best bet.

 

[RegionRat]

My typical vote would be "life is short, if it makes you happy get both...."

That said, you have a working rig and already have the dies, so unless you really want to add 300 BO then there is no real advantage to it since you can get brass and bullets for either one and they are both roughly the same ballistic energy.

Starline makes very good (and inexpensive) 7.62x39 brass, and since you say your bbl will shoot any 308 bullets, you don't really have any supply issues with staying with your current rig.

I have had what I called Comm Bloc Surplus burning AR platforms for many years, so I started loading for 7.62x39 long ago. When CMMG came out with the Mk47 Mutant, I had yet another reason to load copper because CA has lead bans for hunting. CFE BLK works well in this cartridge.

https://www.starlinebrass.com/762x39mm-russian

When Starline shows the tan colored button, your backorder will typically fill within weeks. So $0.41 - $0.34 per case for very good virgin brass.

Making 300 BO is no big deal either, but if you aren't shooting suppressed why bother. Unless it makes you happy, then by all means.... YMMV

 

[DGP4]

I vote for the 7.62X39. I have a similar rig BCA upper and PSA lower. With a .308 bore you can buy plenty of good cheap bullets. I reload and just picked up 8 pounds of SW Blackout for less than $200. Brass lasts forever when loading to 2400 fps. Thumps them piggies real good at any reasonable distance. Now if Hornady would start making the small primer cases again I will be in hog heaven!

 

[simo hayha]

Lots of guys pull the fmj, and replace with a hunting bullet on the steel case ammo.

Get carbide dies, remove boxer deprimer.


7.62x39 is excellent round

 

[rockhound78]

Also a vote for the x39. I have the BO but not really impressed, but I don't shoot subsonic. If I did shoot subsonic, then maybe the BO over the x39, but shoot the x39 a lot more. Might get a shellplate for the Dillon for the X39 to make loading a bit faster.
the Ham'r looks interesting and I wonder how well the 30 Apache (30-223) might work but probably would have to use bullets 150gr or less due to OAL. Might have to re-chamber my BO barrel to Apache and test things out some day.

 

[dantiff2]

I have both and my vote is still for the X39. My 7.62x39 barrel runs a US/Hybrid bore of .3095 and still shoots .308 125gn tnts into tiny groups when loaded over Benchmark powder. My BO is just a novelty. Bought it on a whim and i'm just not impressed at all with it. Like was already said. the BO only has the edge in the Subsonic rhelm.
Dan

 

[dellet]

Something that is often over looked with the Blackout is heavy supers.

Something like a 175 SMK that can be loaded subsonic to 2100 FPS in a 16" barrel. 230-250 grain @ 1400 fps. Plenty of cast bullets in between.

If you enjoy tinkering with loads, it can hold your attention.

 

[onlyfineknives]

300 ham'r would definitely be my vote for the best option for supersonic loads.

 

[Larryh128]

7.62x39. I've had both, and the 39 has a lot more killing power. You don't need to shoot .310 bullets in a 39. As someone stated earlier, .308 bullets shoot good. Brass is cheap and readily available. Most die sets will include both a .308 & a.310 expander ball. 125 gr bullets are the best choice as a rule but I've seen them shoot 110 gr bullets well. Both are easy to load for.

 

[Garth69]

Lots of guys pull the fmj, and replace with a hunting bullet on the steel case ammo.

Get carbide dies, remove boxer deprimer.


7.62x39 is excellent round

I have been experimenting with doing this for several months now. I pull the bullet from a russian case, lower the powder charge and put my choice of bullet in. Subsonic. accurate too.

 

[captben]

YOU CAN BUY 7.62X39 125 GR SOFT POINT AMMO BY BARNAUL WHICH WORKS GREAT FOR PIGS & DEER.

EASIER THAN PULLING BULLETS.

HAVE BEEN BUYING 500 RDS FOR $170 DELIVERED ON GUNBROKER.


SHOOT THEM IN MY GALIL OR HOWA MINI BOLT GUN.

 

[Bill K]

stick with the 7.62x30 especially with the .308 bore. Good bullets, easy to reload compared to some of the problems many talk about trying to reload and get the 300 to shoot well.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Nothing wrong with the 7.62x39. But the loading manuals are all a bit cautious, considering that some of the rifles are not so good. Ammo to factory velocities can be loaded with W296/H110, and I suspect ( I haven't tried it) CFE Black, rather than the faster end of rifle powders. I have had reasonable results with H4198 and N120 in a bolt gun, but I ran an SKS carbine on 296 for years, with Federal brass and Hornady 125g .310 projectiles.

 

[DGP4]

In my Howa Mini and my SKSs with the .310-.311 bores, I use CFE BLK with Speer Hot-Cor 150 grain soft point bullets. In my mini that I chrono'd I get an average of 2150 fps with 24.5 grains. Expansion is excellent with these bullets. Hornady used to make steel cased ammo with 123 grain SST poly tipped bullets that worked great, but for whatever reason they discontinued them.