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Posted: 1/7/2011 11:12:19 PM EDT
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has anyone tried maxamizing the accuracy of an AK through handloading?
my AK generally shoots 4 MOA groups but I am curious if a good handload could shrink an inch or two off what are your results? what's a good load? I may also try casting because I suspect I can save or at least match the cost of wolf ammo with cast bullets as far as finding a good accurate load it does not HAVE to be a cast load but I suspect for cheap ammo I could go this route. |
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I hand load most of my 7.62X39, but I have never intentionally tried to improve upon the accuracy of any AK through hand loading techniques other than what is included in my normal loading procedure. I find my ammo is typical of Barnaul, Ulyanovsk, ect., and is typically more accurate than anything coming from Tula. |
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I've gone this path and from what I found through quite a bit of testing, it depends on the AK barrel. You are best served by slugging the barrel to find what the actual bore diameter really is on your barrel. Of the 4 AK's here in 7.62x39 and 2 SKS, each is different in what it really likes best. I have a polish UF that really likes .308 diameter 150gr FMJ over BLC2. My Romainian and 2 SKS shoot best with .311 diameter 123gr V-max. There is quite a bit of difference from one barrel to another in the case of an AK. It will take you time to find the correct loads, but you should be able to improve the accuracy some if you take the time needed. Any quality handloads worked up properly, for an individual rifle, should outperform anything factory made in 7.62x39
Hope it helps... |
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Quoted:
has anyone tried maximizing the accuracy of an AK through handloading? You can do better than Wolf ammo, but the AK is not an AR in the accuracy department. my AK generally shoots 4 MOA groups but I am curious if a good handload could shrink an inch or two off Maybe an inch, see above. what are your results? what's a good load? 
Best powder for jacketed loads is AA-1680, Wolf LR primers a natural choice, and surplus 147 gr FMJBT's from Wideners. I may also try casting because I suspect I can save or at least match the cost of wolf ammo with cast bullets 
3 different groups while working up cast bullet loads at 25 yds. 
I also load my Berdan primed brass. as far as finding a good accurate load it does not HAVE to be a cast load but I suspect for cheap ammo I could go this route. Ammo costs are directly related to what you have to pay for the bullet. With free lead, my cast bullet loads cost about $.06 each. $.08 each, almost forgot the gas check. 
Pic of one of my Romy's I built from a kit, and fired the above target with. |
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I wish you good luck! I went down this path some time ago. I ending up being disappointed. The AK doesn't lend itself to accuracy. The bullet is completely out of the case before it contacts the rifling. I could not get consistent results. I went back to factory ammo and sold off all my 7.62 reloading stuff.
The cast route shows some promise. |
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H322 and H4198 are good powders for 7.62x39mm. I have used Hornady's .310" SP bullet, but it's not a whole lot better than communist ball. Sierra makes a 125 grain .311" bullet for .303 Brit which is perfect for an AK/SKS. Hornady makes a 150 grain .312" bullet that will work in larger bores.
The NRA did an article years ago and they got decent groups using .308" 150 grain Match Kings. That seems a perfect waste of a valuable bullet to me. 4" groups are very good from an AK. Lots of people have posted all sorts of tiny groups on the internet claiming they were fired with ball ammo from their AK-47's, they lied. 
Anyone can shoot a bunch of groups (three shot or five shot) and show off the best of the breed. Shoot ten shot groups and post all of them, that is the test of accuracy. |
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