7.62x54r reload

[THOR5624]

What lead core bullet will fit the shells for the 7.62x54r? And what powder should i use?

 

[Cosmoline]

The 54R can take bullets from .308" to .312" depending on how you resize the brass. Unless you're loading for a pre-war Finn you will likely be using any number of .311" bullets. All the major companies make them.

Powder depends on what bullet you load and what velocity you want, but IMR's have worked the best for me overall. IMR 4064 and IMR 4350 are standouts for the heavier bullets.

There's a loadbook available on the 54R with a ton of load data in it for about $6:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Relo...1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1285363916&sr=8-2-fkmr1

 

[rcmodel]

You might ought to buy a reloading manual for questions like that, and others sure to follow.

The Lyman #49 comes highly recommended.
It has a whole chapter on the 7.62x54R.

rc

 

[THOR5624]

Thanks

I was looking at the Lee Presses. For a beginner what press should i use? I may try the Lee 4-Hole Turret Press with Auto Index. looks good to me. I have the die for 7.62x54r picked out as well? Anything else I need? Thanks for the help so far fellas.

 

[THOR5624]

Just to let you know I have a Mosin Nagant 91/30. I love to shoot this rifle. Very accurate so far.Thats why i need to know how to reload ammo myself. Need to save some money because I am gonna be shooting it as much as possible.

 

[Old Scratch]

.311 diameter Sierra work very well. IMR 4320 is a great high-performance powder in this chambering. I have gotten an instrumental 3000 fps out of an SVT-40 with 150 grain bullets in Norma cases.

 

[THOR5624]

Do you know what cases to use with the .311 Sierra? Just ordered the powder you recommended old scratch.

 

[Cosmoline]

You can use any 7.62x54R boxer primed brass, or even the "7.62x53R" brass from Lapua. It's the same thing just a notch shorter, but will still work fine.

What firearm specifically are you loading for? I mean type, arsenal, year, nationality. It makes a significant difference.

 

[Old Scratch]

You won't go wrong with the IMR 4320; I've used Norma cases for over twenty years and have never had a split and only one head separation; they're really tough.

 

[THOR5624]

Cosmoline I am loading for a mosin nagant 91/30.Russian of course. All the bullets i find dont say if they are lead core or steel. I need non-steel cores to shoot at the range I got to.

 

[Bluehawk]

Before you buy a press and all the other myriad stuff that goes with reloading, please take the advice given above by others...buy a reloading manual...one that fully explains the process, along with the hints and warnings. You just do not buy equipment and start reloading...you must read and read and read again to learn every step!!!!

 

[THOR5624]

I will take heed to that warning Bluehawk.Thanks. Now i just need a press, brass and bullets. Got the powder and scales coming.just ordered thema few hours ago. yay

 

[THOR5624]

Also, I cant find any decent priced brass for the 7.62x54r. And, all the bullets I look at do not say if they are lead or steel core.I need non-steel core.

 

[joustin]

You will not be able to reload 7.62x54R for less than buying good surplus ammo. The brass is fairly high still. But if you want to make some very accurate ammo you can't beat it.

 

[FROGO207]

The way I approach it is to buy inexpensive RELOADABLE brass ammunition, fire it for blasting ammo then reload it for accuracy. My reloads have no muzzle flash, are not corrosive and WAY more accurate than the surplus crap that I was trying to limp by on. I only have one rifle at present time in this caliber so I neck size with the lee setup. I am getting 1 1/2 inch or less groups with it on a regular basis. Not bad for a shot out barrel. BTW my rifle likes the 311 bullets that I also use to reload my 303 British SMLE.

 

[NuJudge]

They are out of stock right now, but the cheapest 7.62x54R brass you will find is at Graf's:
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12651

I like Sierra .312" 180gr softpoints with 4350 powder for jacketed loads.

If you want cheap shooting, the only reloaded ammo that will beat the cost of Surplus is reduced loads using bullets you cast yourself.

You can also buy surplus, then replace the military bullet with a hunting bullet of the same or slightly lighter weight, but you'd do well to reduce the powder charge 10% and work up. Before you do this type of thing, get a reloading manual that features 7.62x54R loads and read it. Make sure the base of the bullet you use is not seated deeper than the military bullet.

 

[THOR5624]

I appreciate all the help fellas. Now I just gotta wait for the supplies I ordered. Also are the bullets you guys stated above non-stell core. That is important.

 

[NCsmitty]

Also are the bullets you guys stated above non-stell core. That is important.

If the bullets are lead soft points, they will not be steel core. You will find that only military surplus ammo will have steel core bullets. And then sometimes military bullets will be lead core. It depends on the year of manufacturing, and the company doing it.
It's a matter of educating yourself by doing searches for information.

If you want to learn about milsurp 7.62x54R cartridges, here is a good site with a lot of info.

www.7.62x54r.net/



NCsmitty

 

[Steve C]

You will not find any commercial bullet manufactured in the US for reloading that has a steel core. The only time you may run into steel core bullets is if you buy pulled surplus military bullets or foreign military over run bullets.

 

[George757]

Reeds Ammo has Winchester brass (as of last week) @ $46/100.
reedsammo.com
Blue Star Brass may have Winchester also, for $60/100.
bluestarbrass.com

 

[THOR5624]

Thanks alot guys. I appreciate all your help. Gonna read the reloading manual i ordered first. Then start the process.

 

[THOR5624]

I have 100 already fired Lellier and Bellot cases. I need to reprimer and reload powder and bullets right. Maybe resize it with the 54R dies?

 

[xtarheel]

As far as a press goes, it you are not going to be a high volumr handgun reloader, I would reccomend a good single stage press. I love my 30 year old Rock Chucker and of my 24 sets of dies, about half are Lee.

 

[rcmodel]

Maybe resize it with the 54R dies?

Best read the manual before you do anything.

Yes, you have to full length size the cases before you can reload them.

rc

 

[THOR5624]

I was lookin at the Lee 4-Hole Turret Press with Auto Index. Looks like a good press for what I want to do. The die set for the 7.62x54R I saw is all I need for the powder loading and primer resetting and removal right? I have the scales to measure with and the powder on the way. Along with a reloading manual.