Lindcott Armory Rifle · Soviet / Russian GRAU
7.62x39mm Soviet
Intermediate rifle cartridge powering the AK-47 and variants.
- Introduced
- 1943
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Inventor
- Soviet Ordnance
- Manufacturer
- Tula Arsenal
- Standard
- Soviet / Russian GRAU
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.312″
- Case length
- 1.528″
- Overall length
- 2.205″
- Base ⌀
- 0.445″
- Rim ⌀
- 0.447″
- Case capacity
- 35.6 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:9.5
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 45,010 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Max range
- 2500 yd
- Recoil
- 8–12 ft·lb
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 2,300–2,400 fps
- Energy
- 1,450–1,550 ft·lb
- By real loads
- 2,330–2,396 fps · 162 loads
- Typical MSRP
- $0.85/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- 7.62x41mm M43 Experimental
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load. Real published loads span the "by real loads" range above.
Factory loads
In production — 162 active loads across 51 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 170 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPU | PPU Standard | 123 | FMJ | 2,412 | 1,589 | 0.292 | $0.55 |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP Hunting | 123 | FMJ | 2,412 | 1,589 | 0.292 | $0.85 |
| Barnaul | FMJ Steel Case 123gr | 123 | FMJ Steel | 2,396 | 1,568 | 0.275 | $0.50 |
| Brown Bear | FMJ Lacquered Steel 123gr | 123 | FMJ Steel | 2,396 | 1,568 | 0.275 | $0.48 |
| Tula | FMJ Steel Case 122gr | 122 | FMJ Steel | 2,396 | 1,555 | 0.292 | $0.45 |
| Barnaul | Silver Bear | 123 | FMJ | 2,396 | 1,568 | 0.292 | $0.50 |
| Barnaul | Brown Bear | 123 | FMJ | 2,396 | 1,568 | 0.292 | $0.50 |
| Tula | TulAmmo | 122 | HP | 2,396 | 1,555 | 0.255 | $0.45 |
| Sellier & Bellot | Standard | 123 | SP | 2,396 | 1,568 | 0.285 | $0.90 |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ 123gr | 123 | FMJ | 2,396 | 1,568 | 0.292 | $0.85 |
| Sellier & Bellot | Standard | 123 | FMJ | 2,396 | 1,568 | 0.275 | $0.85 |
| PRVI Partizan | PPU | 123 | FMJ | 2,395 | 1,566 | 0.292 | $0.55 |
| Wolf | WPA Polyformance FMJ | 124 | FMJ | 2,380 | 1,559 | 0.292 | $0.35 |
| Hornady | Steel Match SST | 123 | SST | 2,365 | 1,527 | 0.510 | $3.50 |
| Winchester | Super-X | 123 | SP | 2,365 | 1,527 | 0.285 | $1.15 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Dimensions
Suitable powders
9 reloading powders listed for 7.62x39mm Soviet, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading cost
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 7.62x39mm Soviet
12 models in the database chamber 7.62x39mm Soviet. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed during WWII as intermediate cartridge combining rifle power with submachine gun controllability. First issued in SKS, then became famous in AK-47. The AK-47/AKM family has produced over 100 million rifles. Extremely common worldwide due to Soviet exports and licensed production. More rifles chambered for this than any cartridge in history.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7.62x39mm Soviet use?
- 7.62x39mm Soviet typically uses a 1:9.5 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7.62x39mm Soviet?
- 7.62x39mm Soviet uses a 0.312″ (7.92 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7.62x39mm Soviet still in production?
- 7.62x39mm Soviet is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is 7.62x39mm Soviet used for?
- 7.62x39mm Soviet is primarily used for military, hunting, self defense.
- What is 7.62x39mm Soviet based on?
- 7.62x39mm Soviet is derived from the 7.62x41mm M43 Experimental case.
- What are the best powders for 7.62x39mm Soviet?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 7.62x39mm Soviet include Accurate 1680, Lil'Gun, A0, Vectan A0, among 9 suitable options.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 162 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →