54r ballistics from 28-16 inch barrel lengths

[Cal-gun Fan]

I've been looking for definitive information on how 7.62x54r performs from various barrel lengths for a while now. Lots of people put the caliber down for being less efficient at shorter barrel lengths than a .308 is.
http://brassstacker.com/
If you look just above the picture at the center of the website, you will see an option to download Brandon Clark's new report on 54r velocity vs. barrel length. The report is very well done. Its a good read, though the most important part are the ballistics tables. For those of you pressed for time, here they are:

Barrel Length Median Velocity
_________________________________
28.75 inches: 2845.5 ft/s
26.75 inches: 2771.5 ft/s
24.75 inches: 2754 ft/s
22.75 inches: 2710 ft/s
20.75 inches: 2625.5 ft/s
18.75 inches: 2583 ft/s
16.75 inches: 2524.5 ft/s

The report also includes more information such as groupings from each barrel length.

These velocities seem comparable if not better, in some cases, than .308 velocities from corresponding barrel lengths. Perhaps the 54r is a fine choice for a shorter barrel length!

 

[nathan]

54 R out of the lowly Mosin 44 is no slouch based on that data. Thanks

 

[TurtlePhish]

54 R out of the lowly Mosin 44 is no slouch based on that data. Thanks

It sure as hell SOUNDS fast.

And thanks for the info!

 

[hang fire]

Lays to rest the claims about inefficiency of the MN 54r.


I could not be happier with accuracy out of my 20" barreled carbine someone chopped down.

Very noisy with full power milsurp, but with the cast boolits I shoot in it, very accurate and tame as a kitten.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Yeah, that 16 inch VEPR 54r is looking very interesting right about now. Kind of like a Ruskie SCAR 17.

 

[gbeecher]

An oldie but a goodie!

The 7.62x54R cartridge compares most closely in ballistics to the .308 Winchester, but I agree that it surpases it in some ways. It also compares favorably to the 7mm Remington Magnum. The bullet has a good sectional density for large CXP3 game animals and a good ballistic coefficient. I shoot Silver Bear 203 grain soft point ammo from a Mosin-Nagant 1891/30. I would be comfortable with this cartridge for use on black bear, moose, elk and deer.