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7.62x40 Wilson Tactical

cmh2007

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 13, 2009
998
4
39
Katy TX
Here is my latest build. With the 16 inch tube and the pws brake it honestly had no recoil except for the bolt running. Its pictured next to the 24 inch uper I built about a year ago. Haven't gotten to chrono yet but with a 125 sper tnt I was shooting 2 to 2.5 inch groups with ffactory ammo from Wilson Combat. At 400 it definitely had more authority than the 223 on steel. Can't wait to deer hunt this year with it.



 
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I still dont necessarily understand this round compared to 300BLK. You are getting only about an extra 100-150 FPS but you lose 100% of the subsonic capabilities since Wilson stated they dont care about subsonics.

There is also a guy who has been experimenting with running 300BLK bullets out real long(cant do this with all of them) and getting the same or better performance than the 7.62x40.
 
I still dont necessarily understand this round compared to 300BLK. You are getting only about an extra 100-150 FPS but you lose 100% of the subsonic capabilities since Wilson stated they dont care about subsonics.

There is also a guy who has been experimenting with running 300BLK bullets out real long(cant do this with all of them) and getting the same or better performance than the 7.62x40.

The 300bo is best with shooting a 30cal subsonic. When you want to sling a 30cal with authority, the 7.62x40 and 30RAR is what you would want, due to more case capacity.
 
The 300bo is best with shooting a 30cal subsonic. When you want to sling a 30cal with authority, the 7.62x40 and 30RAR is what you would want, due to more case capacity.

When I want to "sling 30cal with authority" I get out a .308.

I would hardly call a ~100FPS speed difference over 300BLK "slinging 30cal with authority" LOL.

110g 300BLK can be sent down range at ~2400. 110g 7.62x40 can be sent down range at ~2500. 110g 308 can be sent down range at like 3200FPS+.

If the 7.62x40 did anything better than 300BLK, or shall I say, the difference was FAR FAR greater, I might be interested, but 100FPS and losing the subsonic capabilities, doesnt impress me one bit.

Doesnt the 7.62x40 need specific mags too? I know Wilson makes them, but I wasnt sure if they were required for proper function or not.
 
Doesnt the 7.62x40 need specific mags too? I know Wilson makes them, but I wasnt sure if they were required for proper function or not.

They can use Lancers downloaded or modded for a full house mag. To read more on the X40, go here: Wilson Combat | 7.62x40 WT Project

As for the 30cal from a AR15, I agree. However, more powder=more power. We run a suppressed 6.8 (110gr@2650) here and it does great on deer.

For the OP, nice rifle and being from Bill, I'm sure it will lay the smack down on whatever you have in the sights. If you are not already a part of the site, several on the 68Fourms run the X40 as a way to get the most from a 30cal, out of a AR15.
 
The only parts from Wilson combat are the barrel and the shim kit for the brake. The rest was out together by myself. The guards are AP Custom carbon fiber. the upper are TKS the lower is TKS and it has a slightly worked olympic lower parts kit. No it doesn't need special mags. I just use my standard inventory. That is a c products mag in the picture. And at 200 out was shooting close to 1 moa. As to velocity it is driving a 125 they claim 2400 but I have a feeling it is slightly higher than that. My calculator is showing it should be close to 2500 but like I said I'm waiting to chrono it. Think of this little cartridge like this... one steep cartridge forming from .223 brass, and more umph than the 7.62x39
 
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Wilson is apparently primarily interested in this as a super sonic hunting round. If one wants to use a surpressor then the 300 BLK is superior, if not what is wrong with the extra pop?
 
I think it can be loaded with heavies for subsonic loads but there is no data and it would have to be loaded realy deep
 
The 300bo is best with shooting a 30cal subsonic. When you want to sling a 30cal with authority, the 7.62x40 and 30RAR is what you would want, due to more case capacity.
Theres more to it than sheer powder capacity skippy.
They can use Lancers downloaded or modded for a full house mag. To read more on the X40, go here: Wilson Combat | 7.62x40 WT Project

As for the 30cal from a AR15, I agree. However, more powder=more power. We run a suppressed 6.8 (110gr@2650) here and it does great on deer.

For the OP, nice rifle and being from Bill, I'm sure it will lay the smack down on whatever you have in the sights. If you are not already a part of the site, several on the 68Fourms run the X40 as a way to get the most from a 30cal, out of a AR15.
The x40 is 200fps faster at most than the 300BLK and as stated before loses any ability to run subsonics. If youre only interested in supersonic performance the 6.8 with some 120gr SSTs is a mean mofo. Not to mention it has much cheaper and factory loaded ammo.

The x40 is a novelty, 300blk and 6.8 do everything better depending on what your criteria are. All I see you regurgitating is Wilson propaganda, the ballistics simply don't show the x40 being lightyears ahead of the 300blk like youd have people to believe. The x40 performs good too but don't shit on the 300blk like its worthless. Many dead animals beg to differ, and should I want to clear my feeder pen of hogs quietly its only a mag change away from lobbing 208gr subs.

Everyone has different needs and wants, but try to use facts and leave out the embellishment and feelings. Facts are much more interesting but from the sounds of it youre the typical 6.8 fanboy that cant wait to hate on the 300blk.
 
Don't take it personal, the 6.8 guys are just pissed that the 300blk "boutique" cartridge is being sold everywhere and is more popular. All things they said would never happen 2 years ago. Don't know why its so hard for people to just enjoy everyone's builds. If I had the money Id have one of each to play with.
 
A perfect example that a caliber debate can be pulled out of anything. Very nice rifle.
 
Theres more to it than sheer powder capacity skippy.

The x40 is 200fps faster at most than the 300BLK and as stated before loses any ability to run subsonics. If youre only interested in supersonic performance the 6.8 with some 120gr SSTs is a mean mofo. Not to mention it has much cheaper and factory loaded ammo.

The x40 is a novelty, 300blk and 6.8 do everything better depending on what your criteria are. All I see you regurgitating is Wilson propaganda, the ballistics simply don't show the x40 being lightyears ahead of the 300blk like youd have people to believe. The x40 performs good too but don't shit on the 300blk like its worthless. Many dead animals beg to differ, and should I want to clear my feeder pen of hogs quietly its only a mag change away from lobbing 208gr subs.

Everyone has different needs and wants, but try to use facts and leave out the embellishment and feelings. Facts are much more interesting but from the sounds of it youre the typical 6.8 fanboy that cant wait to hate on the 300blk.

Last reply as ya'll have shit in this guys thread. Nothing to do with a 6.8 as everyone knows its ability.

The link from Wilson was for the first guy who didn't know much about the X40 and needed some help.

Very simple: supersonic with a .30cal AR15=7.62X40 or 30RAR, subs with a can .30cal AR15=300bo.
 
IIRC, the Army marksmanship unit did some testing with the 30 cal bullets using a 123 grain bullet at around 2550 fps, and compared that to the Grendel's 123 grain bullet at the same velocity. (Keep in mind I'm a huge Grendel fan) They found that with the same bullet weight and velocity, the 30 cal round had noticeably less recoil. It was something to do with the amount of force applied to the size of the bullet's base that made the difference.

Of course, the ballisic coefficient of the 6.5 bullet makes it hugely more useful at longer distances, but for matches that only go out to 300-400 yards, there was a recoil advantage in favor of the 30 cal bullet. And this is coming from a Grendel fanboy...
 
IIRC, the Army marksmanship unit did some testing with the 30 cal bullets using a 123 grain bullet at around 2550 fps, and compared that to the Grendel's 123 grain bullet at the same velocity. (Keep in mind I'm a huge Grendel fan) They found that with the same bullet weight and velocity, the 30 cal round had noticeably less recoil. It was something to do with the amount of force applied to the size of the bullet's base that made the difference.

Of course, the ballisic coefficient of the 6.5 bullet makes it hugely more useful at longer distances, but for matches that only go out to 300-400 yards, there was a recoil advantage in favor of the 30 cal bullet. And this is coming from a Grendel fanboy...

I will agree with this having both the blkout and grendel. I shoot 123gn in the grendel and 125gn in the blkout at about the same velocity, but with less powder in the blkout. The blkout does have less felt recoil and muzzle blast both being shot suppressed. Although the grendel far surpasses the blkout in range.

Nice rifle to the OP! No haters here, there is nothing wronge with the X40 if thats what you want. Just like any other cartridge, its all what you want and going to use if for. Have fun shooting it and enjoy.
 
That is an interesting round you have there. I never heard of it before but have done a little reading on it since I saw this thread. It looks like a fine hunting round and out of that rifle I'm sure it'll be on target.
Answer me this, do you cut, size, and fire form your brass?
 
I dont know what the big deal is . they guy got a rifle and he is proud of it . personally I could care less if it is a 6.8 , 300 blackout or a friggin 338 lapua the bottom line is he has something he is proud of and did not in any way claim it was the holy grail . O.P nice rifle and I hope you bag plenty of game . its much more satisfying when you build it your self . I recently bagged a small buck with an 8.5 inch 300 blackout suppressed pistol I asseymbled for hunting in close and at the time I was as thrilled as I would of been if I had killed a cape buffalo with a 458 mag . good luck have fun and post some range pictures .
 
I have not made any brass yet, but should be simple. Cut size finish trim shoot. Accuracy wisee with factory loads (Wilson combat loaded) it shows very much promise.
 
Boy, who knew showing off my new rifle could start such a ruckus.

It happens in a lot of threads. Some of the crap that goes on in mine is mind boggling. There are a lot of guys in here that like to beat their chest and be right all the time. The sick fuck side of me likes to feed them and watch smoke come out of their ears.

You certainly have a nice build there for sure. I have looked at the 7.62x40 but the only thing that held me back was the availability of brass. 300blk is being made by a lot of people and the supply of it certainly has been fantastic.

I own a 300, a 6.8, .223, .308, and a 300 WM in an AR platform and I look at it like this, a 300 is a close quarters weapon and I would not use it for anything past 100 yards. If I want a bit more punch, say for hog hunting, I'll pull out my 6.8. If I want to shoot bigger and further such as deer, I use the .308. If I want to just go plinking on the cheap I grab the 5.56. If I want to punch holes in paper at 1000 then it is the 300WM.

So, considering there is not a lot of brass for it and it does not do something different than I can do now with another rifle I have, I have not been motivated to get one.

If brass was plentiful and cheap I'd get one in a heartbeat. I am a big fan of Wilson products. The thing I hate the most about my 6.8 is sourcing brass. I hate looking for brass... and it is stupid expensive for what it is. I don't want 2 rifles that deliver the same frustration.

I would like to hear how you go when you try to make it out of .223. I am not confident it will be that easy to neck the shoulder up to 30. I tried to neck up some 270 to 30-06 and it simply didn't work. Down is not a problem, up is. If you get it to work well, I may re-consider getting one of these and get rid of my 6.8's. So please keep us posted.
 
Well considering it is made from a .223 shouldn't be bad. I have another 2 week's off shore then I'll try to make a few. (Guess I need to buy a trimmer don't I :) ) but from what I'm seeing and the guys at Wilson say, you cut out right to the top of the shoulder or just above, then one step size to .30 load and shoot to fire form and grain full capacity. But I sure will post about it
 
This is why I am crazy about Ar15's; just add another upper for another caliber. Wish I had 1 of @! Congrats on your new build. I get all the same unrequested info when talking about the 6.5 Grendel. And whoever said Wilson is not into cans is wrong---he makes some a great one for hunting and they are heavily advertised.
 
Those are really nice rifles, but that cartridge has about as much shoulder as a housecat. If you're not careful you might have a headspace problem. Looks like a smaller version of the extinct .40 Whelen.
 
There is also a guy who has been experimenting with running 300BLK bullets out real long(cant do this with all of them) and getting the same or better performance than the 7.62x40.

Do you have a link to this info, I would love to try.

Thanks
 
Shoulder is pretty similar to a 300-221, Whisper, Blackout.....I usually end up re-adjusting my forming die up a few thousandths after the forming step....so the fired brass stays within a couple thousandths of chamber dimensions....have fired thousands of rounds without any headspace issues....
 
I dont see much problem. Measure head space from fired brass and set the dies accordingly. Anybody got an opinion on using alliant 1200r with this thing
 
Well got to try some hand loads, I shot up to max load with 300mp and 125 tnt's at 200 yards this was the result in high shifty wind

20131220_170401_zps0508d63b.jpg
 
mmmmm you guys are all funny m43 cartridge done in 1945 i believe by the russians, oh yeah 7.62x39 its already been done dudes and it been working quite well for over 70 years
 
Ok, after reading this thread I am left with the question of "how is it that the 7.62x40 loses the ability to shoot subsonic"... Reason I ask is as handloader I can down load any cartridge to subsonic velocity with relative ease using trail boss and not worry about adding filler as with some of the pistol powders. So where is the down side?
 
I did me a wilson 300blk a few years ago and I love it. I looked at the x40 wilson round but stuck with the 300. I like it but see nothing wrong with the other. Nice stick
 
glad you are enjoying this rifle. Don't believe everything you read here. If you want to take this subsonic, there is nothing stopping you. FGS, .308's have subsonic rounds too.

Shoot it, enjoy it, and see what all it does.
 
Every Who who lived in Whoville loved shooting a lot...
But the Grinch, who owned a 3000 Wimpester Magnum...did not
The Grinch hated shooting! The whole shooting season!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn't screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, his sizing dies were too tight.

But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that his ballistic coefficient was two sizes too small.
But, whatever the reason, His BC's or his dies,
He sat there at home, boosting his pride,
Staring out from his mom's basement with a sour, Grinchy frown
At the warm lighted windows outside in his town.

For he knew every Who up in Who-ville outside
Was busy now, loading and shooting in stride.
"And they're zeroing their rifles!" he snarled with a sneer. "Tomorrow is rifle season! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his grinch fingers nervously spinning,
"I MUST find a way to keep shooters from winning!"

For, tomorrow, he knew... ...All the Who shooter girls and boys
Would wake up bright and early.
They'd rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
That's one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!
Then the Who shooters, young and old, would sit down to a feast. And they'd feast! And they'd feast! And they'd FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
They would start on Who-pudding, and rare Who-roast-beast Which was something the Grinch couldn't hit in the least!

And THEN They'd do something he liked least of all!
Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Would get online together, with accounts and pics flaring
They'd post one after another.
And the Who shooters would start sharing!

They'd share! And they'd share! AND they'd SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE
And the more the Grinch thought of the Who-shooters-Share
The more the Grinch thought, "I must stop this whole affair!
"Why for fifty-three years I've put up with it now! I MUST antagonize Who-shooters! ...But HOW?"

Then he got an idea! An awful idea! THE GRINCH GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!
"I know just what to do!" The Grinch Laughed in his snout.
And he made a quick screen name for his online account.
And he chuckled, and clucked, "What a great Grinchy trick!
"With this 3000 Wimpster Magnum, it will look just like a boom stick!"

"All I need is some credibility..."
The Grinch looked around.
But since credibility is scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the old Grinch...? No! The Grinch simply said,
"If I can't find some cred, I'll make some instead!"
So he emailed his COD friend
Whose text message privileges had come to an end.

They plotted and schemed, collective wits from two heads
When another caliber was mentioned, they'd derail the thread!
With 3000 Wimpester Magnum, their favorite bore
Which when passing over a chrono results in a snore
And if any Who-shooter points out this plain fact
The Grinch and his troll-friend will pounce and attack!

But as confined to their mothers' subterranean lairs
Their weapons being keyboards and broken-down chairs
Google searches and mousepads,
Neckbeards and flip-flops
Each range trip postponed
For another thread hit-op.
 
I would like to hear how you go when you try to make it out of .223. I am not confident it will be that easy to neck the shoulder up to 30. I tried to neck up some 270 to 30-06 and it simply didn't work. Down is not a problem, up is. If you get it to work well, I may re-consider getting one of these and get rid of my 6.8's. So please keep us posted.

This make going up in size a cinch
SINCLAIR GENERATION II EXPANDER DIES | Sinclair Intl
also good for getting rid of dings in case necks when new
 
I have one of those dies and after seeing the thread I bought a bag of new 223 brass that was annealed, cut the neck off like Wilson said, and tried to size it up to 308... I split the top 1/8 of nearly every case. There was not enough brass at the base of the neck to stretch it out to 308.

I did have a couple that sized up but when I measured the wall thickness, it was really really thin. I did not think it would offer good neck tension so I tossed them.

Hopefully someone else is having better luck than I did.
 
What I have found is to run the brass into the die with no expander then trim and then finish by expanding and resizing again
 
I have one of those dies and after seeing the thread I bought a bag of new 223 brass that was annealed, cut the neck off like Wilson said, and tried to size it up to 308... I split the top 1/8 of nearly every case. There was not enough brass at the base of the neck to stretch it out to 308.

Lube the necks and take it in incremental steps like 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm would be ideal and it wouldn’t hurt to anneal before the final step.
 
I started my WT build before the BLK was a SAAMI cartridge and wanted more than the Whisper offered. Not to mention 223 brass is much easier to find than the 221 FB. Yes, things have changed today with the BLK being SAAMI accepted.

I make my brass, single pass thru a FL die then trim it. Do loose a small percentage of them but 223 brass is easy to find so its not a big deal to me. Tried annealing before pushing back the shoulder but I found the brass was softer than I cared for when I trimmed it to length. Today I form, trim, then anneal.

You make your choices and pay the bills. Those who don't agree can do what they chose!