7.62 x 54R brass ??

[edleit]

Does anyone know of a source of brass cases for 7.62 x 54R ??

I'd really like to be able to work up handloads for the Mosin, but all cases I've come across are steel mil-surplus.

 

[kcofohio]

Lapua & Prvi Partizan makes said brass. Roughly between $.50-1.10 per casing.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/9536
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12651

I bought several boxes of Prvi Partizan cartridges and once fired, reloaded them. PPU cartridges usually run about $15-16 per 20. They are brass and boxer primer.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/773893/prvi-partizan-ammunition-762x54mm-rimmed-russian-762x53mm-rimmed-150-grain-soft-point-box-of-20

Powder Valley usually has 150 & 182 gr cartridges in stock.

 

[kcofohio]

I should add, if you look for re-loadable casings from cartridges besides Prvi Partizan, Gold Wolf is suppose to be re-loadable. Winchester Metric and S&B, maybe. Don't go with Hornady. They are still casings according to most descriptions I've seen.

 

[Sunray]

Buy some Winchester ammo. It's 'on clearance' at Midway. $320.36 per 400. Or your local gun shop can order it for you.
Hornady doesn't list 7.62 x 54R ammo.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

PRVI, Winchester, S&B, and Lapua are the main sources I'd look at. Well personally I wouldn't consider Lapua, too pricey for me to buy for a Mosin, but they're the only brand I can find locally that sells new brass. PRVI is the cheapest I can find in loaded ammo, but that in no way insinuates that it the worst. In fact S&B x54 ammo is the highest I find between Winchester, PRVI, and S&B, and has the worst accuracy in MY rifle. Winchester and PRVI shoot about 1MOA for me and I like PRVI brass better. Considering PRVI ammo is always cheaper around here (1/2 the price of Winchester), its what I buy to get brass.

 

[kcofohio]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/9-75218

You'll notice Hornady says steel cased.

 

[kcofohio]

I'm on my 2nd time of reloading PPU casings, and they seem good so far.

 

[edleit]

Thanks a bunch, guys. Looks like I'll be saving my pennies for a while. Or maybe checking he LGSs for loaded factory stuff w/brass cases. Prvi looks to be the best value.

Either way, it'll be added to the list!

 

[cosh]

I have reloaded PPU 2x so far. I have 2 Mosins of which one has a tighter chamber. I would expect that one to get more reloads than the looser one. I noticed more pressure needed to FL size the brass from the looser chamber. Hope you got a good one so your brass will last longer.

 

[FROGO207]

Years ago I bought a metric butt load of steel Hungarian 440 round 7.62X54 tins for next to nothing. About $12.00 each IIRC. I pull the bullets, dump the propellant, and then reload as I want after resizing the neck. I use premium bullets or the FMJ pulls. They are berdan primed and have corrosive primers BUT THEY ARE CHEAP, cheaper than primers alone now and I have a pile of them. Last I saw those tins were around $60.00 each so still a deal IMHO. This may be a way to shoot for less as well. I also have some brass PPU casings that I have reloaded a few times that I keep in reserve.

 

[blue32]

I've done a batch of Winchester Metric I bought in 2011. Some cases have 6 reloads and full length sized with only one trim needed.

 

[Steve2md]

I haven't shot surplus out of my nagant for 3 years now, all on the same 2 boxes of winchester brass. I shoot that gun every time I go out as well. Probably close to 30 reloads on those cases. I am not loading insanely powerful loads though. The slightly slower ones tend to be more accurate for me and my gun. 190 gn cast sized to .312 and powdercoated btw.

YMMV

 

[stubbicatt]

Do you fellas notice that your shoulders are blown forward a perceptible amount upon firing? I am concerned that if I FL resize these cases in a standard die I'll get a head separation, as I experienced with 303 Brit.

Thought about getting a custom die cut for the rifle by CCH. They say send in 3 fired cases and they will cut a die for that chamber.

 

[cosh]

Hmm.. on the tighter chamber Mosin it is hard to close the bolt if it's not FL sized. That one also sticks with lacquer coated cases. The larger chamber Mosin doesn't have issues but I didn't check it I see if the shoulder blows forward. I should I guess.

 

[joem1945]

I shoot corrosive in my bolt guns but load for my SVT40 because It's a real pain to dismantle and clean everything.

 

[Tony k]

I bought 100 rounds of Prvi Partisan from Midway a few months back and I've reloaded about 20 of them. They seem to be good quality and consistent in primer pocket size, etc.

Getting my hands on .311 bullets is another story... I tried some hornady .308 caliber 150 grain bullets. 10" groups with most of the rounds I tested.

 

[kcofohio]

Getting my hands on .311 bullets is another story

Powder Valley has Prvi Partizan .311" (mine measured .312") in stock. In 150 gr., both FMJBT and SPBT. $23.22 per 100.