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 0.3118″ (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, N110, A0, Lil'Gun, among 12 suitable options.

Lindcott Armory

Rifle · Soviet / Russian GRAU

7.62x39mm Soviet

Also known as 7.62 Soviet · 7.62x39 · M43 · .30 Russian Short

Intermediate rifle cartridge powering the AK-47 and variants.

Caliber: 0.3118″ · 7.92 mm
Introduced: 1943
Case: Rimless
Parent: 7.62x41mm M43 Experimental
Primary use: Military, Hunting, Self Defense
Status: Active

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VelocityBeing verified

EnergyBeing verified

Typical grains122 · 123 · 124 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1943
Type: Rifle
Origin: Soviet Union
Inventor: Soviet Ordnance
Manufacturer: Tula Arms Plant
Standard: Soviet / Russian GRAU
Status: Active
Availability: Abundant

Build

Case capacity: 35.6 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:9.5
Primer: Large Rifle
Case type: Rimless

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 45,010 psi
Eff. range: 400 yd
Max range: 2500 yd
Recoil: 8–12 ft·lb

Introduced by Tula Arms Plant

Ballistics

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 7.62x39mm Soviet. Parent case: 7.62x41mm M43 Experimental.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · approximate

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	7.92	0.312	~
Neck ⌀	8.60	0.339	✓
Shoulder ⌀	10.07	0.396	✓
Shoulder angle	16.4°	—	✓
Base ⌀	11.35	0.447	✓
Rim ⌀	11.35	0.447	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.50	0.059	✓
Neck length	5.70	0.224	≈
Case length	38.70	1.524	✓
Overall length	56.00	2.205	✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 7.62x39mm Soviet is highlighted below.

Factory loads

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

Suitable powders

12 reloading powders listed for 7.62x39mm Soviet, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lb Charge (gr) Bullet $/ea Primer $/ea Brass reuses Brass $/ea

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 →

Palmetto State Armory PSAK-47 GF3 Zhukov 7.62x39mm 16.25-inchPalmetto State Armory PSAK-47 GF3 Forged Plum 7.62x39mm 16.25-inchPalmetto State Armory PSAK-47 GF3 Classic 7.62x39mm 16.25-inchCZ-USA 600 Trail 7.62x39mm 16.5-inchCZ-USA CZ 600 Trail 7.62x39mm 16.2-inchPalmetto State Armory JAKL Pistol 7.62x39mm 10.5-inchPalmetto State Armory PSAK-47 GF3 MOE 7.62x39mm 16.25-inchPalmetto State Armory AK-103J PlumPalmetto State Armory AK-103J OD GreenPalmetto State Armory AK-103SPalmetto State Armory PSAK-47 GF3 Forged 7.62x39mm 16.25-inchPalmetto State Armory AK-E 7.62x39mm 16.25-inch

Lineage

Family TreeOpen 7.62x39mm Soviet in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

Loads135 factory loads for 7.62x39mm Soviet Reloading12 suitable powders — cross-reference FirearmsFirearms in 7.62x39mm Soviet

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 0.3118″ (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, N110, A0, Lil'Gun, among 12 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4-2025 — Centerfire Rifle Velocity & Pressure Data · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Manufacturer Hornady — 7.62x39 123 gr SST Hornady BLACK (#80787) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun
Manufacturer PPU USA (Prvi Partizan) — PPU 7.62x39 — PP76239F 123 gr FMJ · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Manufacturer Federal — American Eagle Rifle 7.62x39 124 gr FMJ (A76239A) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Manufacturer Sellier & Bellot — 7,62 x 39 FMJ (V340842) — 124 grs · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 125 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →