7.62x39mm Reloads with Cast Smoked cases

[michiganflyer]

All,

I have been reloading for years, but last week did some loads of the 7.62x39mm with the 155G Lee cast bullet.
I used 2400 powder, and worked up a load from 14.5g to 15.5g and in my sks they seemed a bit lite and in fact, only the 15.5 would sometimes eject the brass.
My question is, the brass came out smoked on one side of the neck and maybe 1/2 down the case
Even after tumbling in media that black didn't really come off, so it was on there pretty good.
I assume this is due to not enough pressure to expand the case in the chamber.

Soooo.....

Is this bad for the case/gun?

I am now working up a load with IMR 4198 from 19-22 grains but I won't be able to try for a week or 2 until I get to the range.

Any suggestions, would be great.
I mean I don't mind the lite loads, but I don't want to damage the gun.

Thanks in advance.

Ron

[Echd]

They're low pressure but not harmful.

Using around 15gr 2400 I get perfect function in my yugo sks and aes-10b with the same bullet. They shoot well and accurate so I don't fret the ugly cases.

[Bullet Caster]

I use 23 grains of IMR 4895 in my AK-47 under the Lee 155 gn. and it works great. You cannot overcharge a case using IMR 4895. Mine shoots fine and cycles the action. BC

[Harter66]

Have you annealed lately?

I've not had an issue w/the x39 ,but I did have an issue w/a 45 Colts smoking cases.

[stubshaft]

I shoot alot of subsonic rounds using AA #9 and they always smoke the cases due to the low pressure.

[michiganflyer]

But the question, is the blowing back hot gas going to damage the gun chamber?

[KYCaster]

Damage your chamber?

No, not if you clean it thoroughly........but, if you can't get it off the brass, how ya gonna get it out of the chamber?

Jerry

[PuppetZ]

Grit and soot particle have a special way to embed themselves in brass.

As far as the OP goes, I get smokey cases by the bucket out of my '06. Let's not talk about my 45-70 cases I use with BP ok.... In the end they all shoot fine. You could try polishing the heck out of them with 00 steel wool but it's more of an aesthetic issue than a functionnal one.

Frank