7.62.54r varget loads

[travisd]

I currently have varget powder I use for my .223 and want to load for my Mosin with it. I can find loads for .308 bullets but I have some sierra 150grs which are .311. Wondering if the same starting loads work or not. I've found 42 to 47 to 50grs for a .311 starting load. Anyone have an idea as to what the starting load would be to work up from?

 

[kingcheese]

Just outa curiosity, how do you get you brass?

 

[Ditchtiger]

Several ways to get brass, get lucky scrounging, buy and shoot re-loadable brass, grit your teeth and pay for new boxer cases.

With your bullet and powder selection,
Load Books lists the starting load at 43grs.
Max at 47grs.

 

[travisd]

Have a box of PPU and Winchester. Both are brass cased. And ill try the 43 grains then . Thanks

 

[Ditchtiger]

What are you shooting them out of?
My M44's and 91/30's were hard on brass, 2-3 shots before splitting.
A little better brass life was gotten out of my M39.
Any more I use my boxer Mosin brass just for light lead loads.

 

[elwoodm]

the .311 and .308 for the same weight is about the same. 150gr bullets with 45gr of varget out of a non counter bored barrel runs around 2600 fps. if you want the brass to last need to neck size for bolt guns. most dies under size the brass for these old chambers which are big.

 

[travisd]

I'm shooting them out of a 91/30. Going to use them for deer hunting. Ill have to just neck size then guess getting brass is expensive lol

 

[NCsmitty]

There will be little difference in loads using .308 and .311 dia. bullets. Look at www.hodgdon.com, and start loads for 150gr is 47gr and Max load is listed at 50.5gr. I would not go lower than 45gr of Varget to start. The .311 bullets are usually the best fit to standard 91/30 barrels.
I would suggest first trying the empty neck sized brass in the rifle to make sure that they fit the chamber properly, with your die setup. Then load accordingly, and don't worry about crimping the bullets if your neck tension is correct.


NCsmitty