Reloading data discrepancies - 7.62x54R

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MrSpiffy

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I'm still learning the ins and outs of reloading, but I always go off of published reloading data to avoid issues. But, I just ran across an interesting discrepancy that I'm hoping someone could help me understand.

I'm prepping to load up my Mosin-Nagant ammunition with Sierra 150gr bullets. I looked up reloading data in my Lyman's 49th edition book, and compared it with data from Hodgdon and Vihtavuori. The data from VV only shows for "7.62x53R (7.62mm Russian)".

In Lyman's 49th, the load data for VV N140, 150gr JSP shows as:
Starting: 43.5gr
Max: 48.5gr

On the VV site, they state for the 7.62x53R (7.62 Russian), Lapua Mega soft-point bullet:
Starting: 44.1gr
Max: 49.2gr

VV site for 150gr Lapua FMJBT:
Starting: 47.7gr
Max: 51.7gr

The two jacketed soft-point bullets are similar, though VV does use a slightly higher load. But the FMJBT is quite a bit higher with higher velocities to match. I assume this is due to the stronger jacket? Does this still fall inside of the general ranges for other books' load data for VV N140 in 7.62x54R?

And is load data for 7.62x53R even usable or reliable for my needs? Both rounds, the 53R and 54R, seem quite similar with only very small deviations between the two. As long as I start near the bottom and work up from there, is there any reason I should avoid looking at 7.62x53R load data for my Soviet Mosin-Nagant M91/30?
 
the x53 is .308 groove and the x54 is .312 groove and what the mosins are. my hornady book lists vv n-140 with a 150 gr 38.8 min and 47.7 max at 2800 fps.

Thanks, Troy! Interesting how the books are similar, but still different by nearly a full grain on the high side. I'm guessing it's because of different bullets being used. Thanks for the data!
 
Thanks, Troy! Interesting how the books are similar, but still different by nearly a full grain on the high side. I'm guessing it's because of different bullets being used. Thanks for the data!
i could be difference in brass ,bullet ,primer hot or cold even the gun, crimp vs no crimp this all will make things different. just use a load in the middle and go up .5 of a grain until you get pressure. pick the load that shoots best and gives needed fps with out pressure
 
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varget is a great powder for this cartridge. I have a 53r. I use 178 amax and 50gr varget in norma 7.62x54 brass @ 2730fps with a 24" barrel. I use 168gr amax and 50gr varget with 7.62x53r lapua brass @ 2789fps. just fell that both loads liked 50gr varget. the finn 28/76 has a corned chamber where it enters the rifling. helps to not spike pressure.
 
MrSpiffy, what brass are you going to use? The Norma brass I have weighed, is significantly heavier than the Privi Partisan I have. I use the same Sierra bullets in my M39 and SVT-40, and like them very much to duplicate service ammo. Don't use much else aside from IMR 4895 (like it's pressure curve for the SVT-40), and the load density is good. If you might like a bit 'fatter' bullet, I have found the .312", 150 grain Hornady SP to work very well in a lot of '.31' caliber service rifles.

Good luck; I love reloading the 'Russian 30-06', and I bet you will too.
 
MrSpiffy, what brass are you going to use? The Norma brass I have weighed, is significantly heavier than the Privi Partisan I have. I use the same Sierra bullets in my M39 and SVT-40, and like them very much to duplicate service ammo. Don't use much else aside from IMR 4895 (like it's pressure curve for the SVT-40), and the load density is good. If you might like a bit 'fatter' bullet, I have found the .312", 150 grain Hornady SP to work very well in a lot of '.31' caliber service rifles.

Good luck; I love reloading the 'Russian 30-06', and I bet you will too.

Components I plan to use:
Brass: Once-fired PPU brass from new boxes I purchased
Primers: CCI #200 large rifle
Powder: BL-C(2), Varget, and N140 will be tested
Bullets: 150gr Sierra Pro-Hunter .311 dia spitzer bullets.

I completely forgot to weigh out my brass for consistency. But my Mosin-Nagant probably won't be accurate enough to notice a huge difference. (I guess you never know.) All cases were trimmed to 2.105" to 2.106" after tumbling, depriming, tumbling again, primer pocket reaming/cleaning, and flash hole deburring/uniforming.
 
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Also, I did slug my bore. My M-N came out to 0.311", so I went with the .311" bullets for now. We'll see how they do.

I had considered buying empty brass, but Norma is pretty pricey. And with PPU, the brass is pretty decent, I hear. And I get to shoot some ammo first, which is never a bad thing. :)
 
VV is a European powder company so their load data complies with CIP standards, not SAAMI. In many cases the pressures are higher with CIP standards, that's why the data from VV shows a heavier charge.

There is really no difference between the data for 7.62X53R and 7.62X54R ammo so don't worry about using the data. The 53R cartridge is actually from Finnland, not Russia.
 
Also, I did slug my bore. My M-N came out to 0.311", so I went with the .311" bullets for now. We'll see how they do.

I had considered buying empty brass, but Norma is pretty pricey. And with PPU, the brass is pretty decent, I hear. And I get to shoot some ammo first, which is never a bad thing. :)

.311"... Nice. As you might know, you will see some M28/30 rifles with .308" groove diameters, some M39's with .310". I have never slugged my M39, or SVT-40, but it would be almost assured the SVT-40 is a bit more generous, over the M39. I really like Privi brass, and boy are the primer pockets deep. Loads real nice, and as I mention the capacity is on the largish side. Real easy for me to sort fired brass too - The M39 looks normal, the SVT-40 has vertical line scorch marks on the shoulder and neck, due to its fluted chamber... Smart Russians they were.

FWIW, I seat those 150 grain Sierra bullets 2.870"-2.875", and I might suggest when using the BLC-2, you go with a Magnum primer or equivalent. I use CCI #34 for all loads, so that would cover you here too. Lots of empty space, and in my experience it does help stabilize velocity spread, and improve accuracy (fliers). Look forward to you reporting back with your results.
 
.311"... Nice. As you might know, you will see some M28/30 rifles with .308" groove diameters, some M39's with .310". I have never slugged my M39, or SVT-40, but it would be almost assured the SVT-40 is a bit more generous, over the M39. I really like Privi brass, and boy are the primer pockets deep. Loads real nice, and as I mention the capacity is on the largish side. Real easy for me to sort fired brass too - The M39 looks normal, the SVT-40 has vertical line scorch marks on the shoulder and neck, due to its fluted chamber... Smart Russians they were.

FWIW, I seat those 150 grain Sierra bullets 2.870"-2.875", and I might suggest when using the BLC-2, you go with a Magnum primer or equivalent. I use CCI #34 for all loads, so that would cover you here too. Lots of empty space, and in my experience it does help stabilize velocity spread, and improve accuracy (fliers). Look forward to you reporting back with your results.

Thanks for the suggestion on magnum primers. I'll try these first. If things seem to be a little all over the place (or when I run out of CCI #200's), I may pick up some magnums to see if they make a difference.

Also, a correction. I mistakenly mentioned Federal 200 primers. Those are pistol primers. I'm using CCI #200's, not Federal.
 
I really like Privi brass, and boy are the primer pockets deep. Loads real nice, and as I mention the capacity is on the largish side.

Interesting you mention primer pockets being deeper. I definitely noticed I had zero issues seating primers below flush. In fact, they were typically 0.010"-0.015" below flush. Plenty of room to seat the primers. I also had no loose primer pockets. All primers fit snugly, but not tight. So far, I'm liking this PPU brass.
 
Interesting you mention primer pockets being deeper. I definitely noticed I had zero issues seating primers below flush. In fact, they were typically 0.010"-0.015" below flush. Plenty of room to seat the primers. I also had no loose primer pockets. All primers fit snugly, but not tight. So far, I'm liking this PPU brass.

All the more reason to check your MN for proper firing pin protrusion. ;)
 
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