7.62x39 cast HUNTING bullet

[jameslovesjammie]

This is a bullet specifically designed for hunting with the 7.62x39.  It has a 71% meplat, which should be quite hard hitting in game.  There is also a hollowpoint option available, which should expand quite well if one is looking for that.  It can be had in either a gascheck or plain base.

The bullet was designed by Ranch Dog, formerly of Ranch Dog Outdoors.  He is a trusted bullet designer, who in the past specialized in designs for Marlin microgroove rifling.  The mould is cut by Al Nelson at Nite Owl Enterprises.  He is another trusted bullet mould designer and manufacturer if semi-custom bullet moulds.



There should be no issues whatsoever feeding this bullet in a 527.  Even though it has a substantial meplat, it is designed to run  in semi's as well.  Ranch Dog has been  running this bullet in his Mini-30.  He has also used it in a Zastava 85 and Savage 10 FCM.  He said that from the bolt actions, feeding was flawless, but he did have to dress the edges of the feedlips on the Mini-30 to get it to function 100%.

Here is a picture of Ranch Dog and his Zastava 85 and a small hog he harvested with this bullet at 2,175 fps.




For full details, here is the commitment thread:

http://noebulletmolds.com/smf/index.php/topic,587.0.html


And here is the discussion thread:

http://noebulletmolds.com/smf/index.php/topic,585.0.html


Load data will be available in the future at:

http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/

[jameslovesjammie]

I should add that I have no affiliation with either NOE or Ranch Dog Outdoors.  I am, however, a satisfied user of BOTH companies.  I am posting this because the 7.62x39 is a great cartridge, but is lacking a variety of cast bullets designed specifically for hunting purposes.  Cast of water quenched wheel weights, this bullet in a flat point should have no trouble 100% penetrating a large mule deer buck if shot at reasonable distance.

[bobanddog]

Interesting.  When I was shooting a .45-70 there was some good research and evidence demonstrating that when loaded with similar wide meplat hard cast bullets at mild velocities it would give excellent penetration, exceeding that of the faster .458 magnums.  Penetration was almost inversely proportionate to impact velocity.  Of course, the magnum rounds expended more energy on impact, and had better in flight ballistics, but there was something to be said for a slow moving, hard, flat-faced bullet that plowed along through tough hide, muscle and bone and kept going in a straight line.  They also damaged less meat.

I'd suspect that the same style bullet in the fairly slow moving 7.62x39 would behave similarly, and be good for close range shooting at tough animals. 

[jameslovesjammie]

I agree Bob.

I've done some reading on meplat diameter and penetration.  At rifle velocity (1900-2400 fps) 65-75% meplats tend to give the best combination of straightline penetration, bone breaking, and tissue damage with minimal bloodshot meat.  When the meplat gets to the 80-85% area, the wide meplat encounters much more tissue resistance, and loses velocity in game more quickly.  It also tends to not track as straight, and dumps energy quickly.  In other words, if it gets too small they punch right through, and if it gets too big it doesn't do the job you are asking it to.  Gotta stay in that Goldilocks zone! 

There was a really interesting read on castboolits a few years ago on this subject, but I can't recall the author.  He developed his own line of custom bullets years ago and was looking for someone to cut them for him.

[JDL]

I bought my 527 eleven years ago for the expressed purpose of shooting cast bullets in it. I had Mountain Molds make a 165 grain FNGC mold design so the base of the bullet would be even with the base of the case neck, very similar to the one you picture. I run them around 1900 fps and am well pleased with them. Haven't had a chance to put a buck on the ground yet because I always seem to have another rifle in my hands whenever he shows up. However, it is extremely effective on armadillos and coyotes and I have no doubt it also will be on deer. I guess time will tell.

[Towns]

Thanks for the post.  My son has an SKS that he wants to use for hunting, and I have been contemplating a CZ rifle and debating caliber. 

[jameslovesjammie]

JDL,

Have you recovered any bullets?  Are you getting any expansion at that velocity or do they resist deforming?  What alloy are you using?

[armoredman]

I have an NOE mold, and it is awesome...might have to save up for this mold, looks very good, thank you! I wonder how well the HP variant would do when powder coated...

[M1A4ME]

Anyone resized these and used them in a .300 Blackout?  I've been wanting to try some heavy/slow cast bullets in my AR15.

I have a sizer die to squeeze these down for the .300, just don't know if anyone else has done it (feeding/accuracy questions).

Thanks.

[JDL]

JDL,

Have you recovered any bullets?  Are you getting any expansion at that velocity or do they resist deforming?  What alloy are you using?

My alloy is air cooled wheel weights that run 12-14 BHN. Never have been able to recover one so, I don't know for sure they're expanding but, with the size of the wound I would be greatly surprised if they were not.

[jameslovesjammie]

Might have to save up for this mold.

Mr. A,

I know you just got back from a big trip, but if you post a "I want it" on the forum before the buy goes on the mill, you get an additional 15% off.  I know the timing is bad, but  just wanted you to know.

Anyone resized these and used them in a .300 Blackout?

This mould is a new design.  So far, the prototype has been used in the Mini-30.  You will have to do some calculating to see if it will make the 2.250" magazine restriction.

FWIW, if you go to NOE's website, he has made several bullets specifically for .300 BO, including a 247 grain subsonic bullet.  I'm sure if you sent him a message, he could tell you which ones he as tried.  I believe he is a member of the 300 BO forum.

[armoredman]

I love that 143 grain HP one...but I have no $ left after Vegas for anything that isn't an essential. Maybe some time down the road...