.310 vs. .311: close enough??

[Erik Jensen]

ok. I'm just getting started in reloading, and I'm looking around trying to find the components I need for my rifles. I just picked up a ROMAK-3 on Wednesday, and I have an Enfield No.4 Mk.I on its way (finally using my C&R). poking around, I note that 7.62X54R uses a .310 bullet, and .303British uses a .311 bullet. is that thousandth enough to worry about? my Romak-3, I'm told, likes ~147gr. bullets, and I can only find them in .311, unless I buy unreloadable Czech Silvertip ammo. are the two close enough for me to just buy .311 bullets, since there's more variety for the .303brit? I'd really like to work out a load for the Romak-3 to get the best accuracy...

 

[Major Beer]

try ak47.net (or is it ak-47.net)

i received some loading recipes from there - you might also find out more about your Romak as well. my neighbor is reloading for his Yugo SKS, and he has been using .310 and .311 bullets.

i would poke around a couple more forums for the Soviet era firearms. my guess someone with experience reloading for that rifle will show up here as well.

i have a Russian AK-103 (in semi auto) - a synthetic AK in 7.62X39. i almost snagged the Romanian version last weekend but held off. i would be interested in how you like it once you put some rounds down range.

good luck - shoot safe

 

[Cosmoline]

I reload 54R extensively. There is no set bullet diameter for this cartridge. The key is you need to slug your bore and select bullets accordingly. Soviet wartime Mosin-Nagants can have bores from .311 to .314 or wider. Finns range from .308 (the 28-30) to a standard of about .310 for most M-39's. I don't know about the Romaks but I would expect a bore of about .311 if it's in good shape. Slug your bore if you want the best accuracy. Do not be concerned about the "official" designation for a box of bullets. I've had Mosins that slug out to .313" and do great with bullets pulled from Argie Mauser cartridges. Likewise you may find wider bore SOviets doing best with .303 bullets.

I have heard of no problems with overly-tight Romak-3 bores. The only thing you want to avoid in your Romak is too much shooting of heavy ball or heavy bullet handloads. Stick to 180 grain or less.

I don't have a Romak-3 (too $$$), but my bet is it would do super loaded with a .311" AK-47 123 grainer backed by 45 grains of 3031. This is a real tackdriver in my Mosins and I use it as my bechmark load when trying out other loads. It's also darned cheap and very easy on the rifles. My bet is you'd barely feel the recoil out of your PSL.

 

[warriorsociologist]

FWIW, I use (and prefer) Hornady's .312" Diameter “InterLock” 150gr. Bullets in my .303 rifles (2 Savages & 1 Brit).

 

[lee n. field]

I note that 7.62X54R uses a .310 bullet, and .303British uses a .311 bullet.

References I have actually show .308 diameter as nominal for the 7.62x54. Mine slugged out .314 and is extremely inaccurate with surplus ammo.

The RCBS (and I think Lee) diesets come with 2 sizes of neck expander. I've aquired brass and loaded some with .311 bullets, but have not yet had a chance to see how well it shoots (the weather having turned Novemberish in the meantime).

There was an article an issue or two ago in Handloader about loading for the 7.62x54.

 

[mrmeval]

Had a friend load up some .308 bullets of the right weight for an SKS with american brass, primer and powder. It was rediculously more accurate than the cheap ammo. Later with the the right diameter (slugged barrel) and weight bullets the gun did about 1.5 MOA after painstaking workup on my friends part and it maintained consistency as long as the barrel wasn't heated to death.

ok. I'm just getting started in reloading, and I'm looking around trying to find the components I need for my rifles. I just picked up a ROMAK-3 on Wednesday, and I have an Enfield No.4 Mk.I on its way (finally using my C&R). poking around, I note that 7.62X54R uses a .310 bullet, and .303British uses a .311 bullet. is that thousandth enough to worry about? my Romak-3, I'm told, likes ~147gr. bullets, and I can only find them in .311, unless I buy unreloadable Czech Silvertip ammo. are the two close enough for me to just buy .311 bullets, since there's more variety for the .303brit? I'd really like to work out a load for the Romak-3 to get the best accuracy...

 

[The Bushmaster]

Are we speaking about .001 of an inch here. Aah...Forgive me if I seem oblivious to the problem...

 

[Prototypeperson]

Slug that bore!

My Mosin slugged at .313, and doesn't shoot .308 worth a darn. Since I'm using Lee dies, which come with a .308 neck sizer, I ordered the .303 british neck sizer (which is .310, and cost 7 bucks including shipping). Since then, my groups have shrunk considerably, while using .311 bullets. Additionally, I just use regular loading data for equal weight .308 bullets, and have not seen any kind of high-pressure or shortened case life. Good Luck!

 

[Prototypeperson]

Ressurection!

Oops, should have looked at the date on that thread first...

 

[doubs43]

While I've not slugged a Moisan-Nagant rifle, I have slugged many Lee-Enfields. It's not uncommon for the L-E rifles to slug .313 ~ .315" and occasionally larger. I've shot cast bullets through 8 or 10 #1 and #4 Enfield rifles and the most accurate of all was a 1939 BSA #1 Mk III that had an evenly worn bore. I wish I still had it. As I recall, I sized the bullets at either .315" or .316". I used a 165 grain round nose gas check bullet.

If you plan on reloading jacketed bullets, I'd try the .312" 150 grain as a starter. The .311" could also work OK.

I'd like to add that moderate loads will give you the best case life. The Enfield action is known to flex more than other actions and heavy loads will stretch the cases in the web area, shortening their life quite a bit.

 

[Erik Jensen]

LOL! I just had this pop up in my e-mail as a reply to a subscribed thread.

of course, since 2005 I've sold the PSL, my Enfield came to me with a #3 bolthead and excessive headspace, and I still haven't bought my reloading equipment. though I'm definetely picking some up in the next few weeks, because I built an AR and can't find ammo for it.