7.62x39 resized to 6.5 Grendel

[brassbrite]

I am looking at a ton of 7.6x39 brass that I can resize. Is the large primers an issue? This might be a cheap way to start reloading. I know that people do this but how accurate is the ammo made this way? Is there anything that I should know or be aware of?

[LRRPF52]

Just use Grendel brass. The re-sized 7.62x39 brass will still have less case capacity, so load data is totally different, and brass life with it is short.

Cheaper to just use real Grendel brass from Lapua, Hornady, Nosler, or Norma.

[StoneDog]

I agree with LRRPF52. I'm new to Grendel and was very kindly given a mountain of IMI 7.62x39 brass that was cleaned, deburred, chamfered, etc. I gave up after 100 rounds. I realized I was wasting primers, powder, projectiles and most importantly range time just fire forming the brass. Then, once it was formed I started splitting necks because the brass had work hardened and I don't have easy access to an annealer.

It seemed like a great idea in the beginning but now I wish I'd spent the time and resources actually developing loads using proper hornady or lapua brass.

[jkingrph]

Some years back when Grendel brass was extremely hard to find and get, I purchased a bunch of new IMI 7.62x39 brass for the expressed purpose of converting to 6.5 Grendel. Honestly I have had no problems, although I have not reloaded any case enough times to see case neck splitting. As for the fire forming, initially the case capacity is less, and after fireforming the same as far as I can tell. Accuracy and function of the fireforming loads through my rifles has been good with no prolems, good enough for initial zeroing of the arm and for fun shooting.

With the availability of good Grendel brass now, I don't think I would go that route, but having a larger quanitity of prepared cases ready for fireforming, will continue to do so, especially when my little CZ 527 American arrives. Midsouth has Hornandy 6.5 Grendel brass on sale now for $50/100 if you are interested.

[brassbrite]

Good to know guys. I hate chasing my tail and wasting time re-inventing the wheel when you guys have "been there....done that." Thanks for the input.