7.62x54 Ammo

[Franco2shoot]

Now that I am the happy owner of a 1943 Soviet Mosin-Nagant I am wondering about ammunition. First off I'm an "Off-the-shelf" buyer, don't have a re-loader. So I am wondering what my options are. I have never made a "Thru-the-mail" purchase, but I have seen advertisements offering 500 dollar tins, but this isn't really for me either. I generally just poke holes in paper or plink at an uncontrolled range. Still, I do like to work on the "Nut behind the wheel" in attempting to become a better shooter and will pay a little extra for good stuff. What's the verdict.

Thanks
KKKKFL

 

[dmftoy1]

I've been picking up "Silver Bear" and "Brown Bear" (non-reloadable) at the local gunshop for $7 for 20 rounds. It's not dirt cheap but it's not corrosive either. (FWIW)

 

[Ash]

Privi-Partizan is good stuff - same as the Wold Gold stuff. Hungarian light ball is pretty good stuff, too. Sellier & Bellot is pretty decent. Wolf is decent, too. The various Bear ammo is good, too.

Ash

 

[Franco2shoot]

Is this stuff available at places like Cabela's or Dicks, Wally World or Gander Mountain?
Thanks.
KKKKFL

 

[tinygnat219]

Cabelas will have it. Dick's won't. Gander mountain might, but only the hunting stuff, and Wally World won't.

Milsurp ammo is still relatively easy to find, and inexpensive when compared to the modern stuff. If you are going to be in town, stop by the Nation's Gun Show Feb 15-17 in Chantilly. You will be able to walk out of there with cases of the stuff.

 

[JonB]

I shoot mostly surplus stuff in my M44 - but it's a bit harder to find that it used to be. Czech silvertip shoots well, but makes the bolt stick and is corrosive. But it has been pretty accurate for me.

 

[res45]

Couple of online ammo dealers.
http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php?cName=762x54r-fmj-ammo-click-here

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php?cName=762x54r-soft-point-ammo-click-here

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/copy_of_7_62x54R.html

 

[K3]

Wideners has a bunch of Bulgarian last time I looked. Cheap too.

 

[kfranz]

You should be able to get 1k rounds of x54 for about $150. Don't be afraid of "mail order" ammo.

 

[aka108]

Get a copy of Shotgun News from someone. Many sources of surplus ammo advertise in that publication. I bought about 5K rounds of Chinese surplus years ago. Brass cased and all. About 6 cents a round and shoots nice. Just don't care for the cleanup as the stuff is corrosive.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Just don't care for the cleanup as the stuff is corrosive.

Just add water and you're done.

 

[toivo]

Gander has Brown Bear and Silver Bear, but it's $12.95 for 20.

 

[theoldgringo]

In July, 07 I was able to get 880rds of x54R for $125.00 from Ammunitioncenter in Stillwater, OK. The people there are a pleasure to deal with and, although it's corrosive, I've had excellent results with the ammo and have found that dealing with the corrosive-ness to be no issue.

I hope you get as much pleasure from the Mosin as I. Good shooting and semper fi. [email protected]

tog

 

[Deer Hunter]

Gander is REALLY overcharging for the Silver Bear. I can get it 6 dollars per 20 online.

 

[Cosmoline]

Before buying in bulk, get a mix of stuff locally to see what your rifle shoots best. Mosins vary greatly from rifle to rifle. Some do very well with heavy 200 grain commercial, others do better with light ball, etc. Also remember to do a clean-out of the inside of the bolt and keep your receiver screws hand tight.

 

[toivo]

Gander is REALLY overcharging for the Silver Bear. I can get it 6 dollars per 20 online.

Gander is overcharging for everything these days. My favorite brand of .22LR went from $1.09 to $2.29 in the past year. Where do you get them for $6? That's a great price.

 

[LeibstandarteAdH]

x54r surplus in brass cases thats still nice and sealed is availible for $39 for 300 round tins.

 

[spiroxlii]

MY M44s both like the surplus Bulgarian heavy ball (yellow tip) ammunition. I picked up a 300rd sealed tin at a gun show in late 2007 for $50.

 

[Deer Hunter]

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/...urers_id=19&osCsid=924hep2oa8uki7v6ivjceq6h13

I bought some Brown Bear from Ammo To Go a while back for around 6 dollars per box. But this is Silver Bear, for 95 cent more.

 

[JCD1962]

Ableammo has 440 round tins of Russian @89.95

 

[Hatterasguy]

I have been shooting $89 cans of 1977 vintage steel core light ball Russian surplus. Clean, accurate, and loaded hot, love it.

While technically its not AP, it kind of does punch a nice hole in steel.

 

[thisisoriginal]

I get all my brown bear from gander.