savage scout 7.62x39, what have you loaded?

[mazroth]

Purchased this rifle to plink, hunt with, when not using my m1a/sks. Also if the wife or kiddos start shooting, its a tame round for them.

Setting up my reloading stuff here in the next month, and just been doing research on where to start.
Currently have some 308 135gr hpbt, and some barnes tac-x 310 123gr for the sks. Powders I have around are imr 4320 and 4895. I have some Winchester brass and some prvi brass.

I know the magic bullet for 7.62x51 is the 168gr, anyone think they have the magic bullet for the 308 in 7.62x39? What loads have you had trouble with, and success with?

[thomae]

The go to powder is supposed to be AA1680. I finally have a pound, but have not developed any loads with it yet.

I was shooting 150 grain partitions because that's what I had. Eventually, I want to work up some 220 grain subsonic loads. I am shooting at ranges of 200 yards and below with iron sights, so my groups are acceptable when they are minute of deer.

[mazroth]

I put this scope on it before even using the irons, but think im going to take it off for awhile and use the iron sights.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/761874/leatherwood-hi-lux-atr-long-eye-relief-scout-rifle-scope-2-7x-32mm-2-plex-reticle-matte
For the price, I think its decent. Don't like the feel, and cheek rest when using high rings though(can use irons with these rings).

Would you use that same powder with the 150 gr and 200gr? What about the little 135gr? I will keep an eye out for aa1680. I will try and contact sierra, and see what they recommend also.

I did get the rcbs dies on order.

[thomae]

If you can, try an adjustable aperture. I also changed out the front bead for a Williams firesight bead. It helps in lower light situations, but it is a big bead, so ultra precision at longer ranges is hard. Here are a few previous threads that might be interesting.
Savage 10 FCM Scout in 7.62x39: review
7.62x39 loads for Savage Scout (10FCM) rifle with ghost ring (http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?11417-7-62x39-loads-for-Savage-Scout-(10FCM)-rifle-with-ghost-ring-sights&highlight=scout)7.62 x 39 deer loads (http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?11140-7-62-x-39-deer-loads&highlight=scout)Expected Accuracy with Ghost Ring Sights? (http://www.savageshooters.com/showthread.php?11320-Expected-Accuracy-with-Ghost-Ring-Sights&highlight=scout)
Here is some subsonic information:
http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/762ProjectRifle.html
http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/DevelopSubsonic.html
http://guns.connect.fi/gow/arcane1.html

[mazroth]

Loaded up some 150gr Hornay RN SP 30-30 bullets. IMR4198 21gr, remington primers, lapua brass. Not sure the best COL, so trying 3 lengths out (2.077, 2.147, 2.22). Hope to shoot them soon.

[mazroth]

Loaded up some 308 135gr hpbt smk in Lapua brass tonight. 22gr of imr4198, remington primers, 2.20 COL. Weather permitting, hope to be able to get some of the round nose 30-30 bullets and 135gr hpbt down range tomorrow.

Purchased a ProChrono Digital, not sure how to work it yet, but will give it a try.

[mazroth]

Was really cloudy, so didn't attempt to use the chrono. Took a few shots with irons at 50+ yards with a sandbag.
I'm not a skilled rifleman, just a normal guy, my first loads, I think its a good start, good enough to hunt with.
I feel there is room for improvement, and with a scope, it will get alot better.
First pic is of the 135gr hpbt smk. Second pic is the the 150gr hornady round nose, didn't see any real difference in the col at this range(red col 2.077, blue col 2.22, un-taped).

http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/547/8dik.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/547/8dik.jpg/)

http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/571/2d4a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/2d4a.jpg/)

[mazroth]

wondering if I can fit a 155gr smk hpbt in this cartridge, and still get enough powder in there without compressing it...have some other 125gr on the way, sierra round nose hps, and nosler ballistic tip spitzer.

[jonbearman]

I use the 125 grain sierra pro hunters backed with benchmark. They are deadly accurate.

[mazroth]

125gr nosler ballistic tip spitzers and 125gr sierra sp hps loaded up and ready to test.

Also, I put my leatherwood 2-7x-32 scope on there with low leupold rings. Had to Grind some of the factory
base to mount it with the low rings, cheek weld is nice now. Will sight it in with some 135gr smk hpbt.

[mazroth]

I use the 125 grain sierra pro hunters backed with benchmark. They are deadly accurate.

How much powder, col?

Days off come up, rainly cloudy days....may have some time to get a few rounds off and hopefully sighted in. Just no chrono again.
Found 1lb. of H355, and some nosler 150r ballistic tip spitzers this past weekend too.

[mazroth]

Was able to shoot close to home today, though sprinkled off and on.

Sighted it in with some of my first loads at 50, then went out to 100yards.
The sierra mks 135gr hpbt didnt impress, 2 shots high, almost 2 inches apart.
Thought the nosler green ballistic tip 125gr spitzers were going to be the go to bullet.
They shot closer to poa, but about an inch and a half apart. Thought that was plenty
to take a whitetail, but decided to try the sierra 30-30 sp/hp 125gr. First round went
a inch above poa, the second round was almost touching the first, so I put a third down
range, and it hit part of the first hole. 3 inside a dime!

http://imageshack.us/scaled/thumb/542/l0xw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/542/l0xw.jpg/)

Got this load from sierra manual. It had a min of 22.5, max of 25gr. I loaded it up with 24gr of imr 4198. Using
remington lr primers, lapua brass, col was 1.93. Manual called for 1.925, was close enough I think.