7.62x54R 115 grain cast with H4895?

[T-Bones]

Hi all,

Would a charge of 18 grains of H4895 or similar powder be safe at all in a 7.62x54R, with a .314'' 115 grain FN cast bullet? The rifle is a Mosin 91/30. Slugged barrel is .313". Is there anyway to calculate the velocity and pressure?

Also I have read many posts that say 7.62X54R, .308 win, .30-40 krag, and .303 british load data for the same bullet type and weight can be used. Anybody know if that's so?

And finally are there any manuals that list cast load data for 7.62x54R in the 115 grain range? The lyman cast handbook 4th edition only list for 180 - 200 range. And modern reloading second edition has loads for 110 and 125 bullets but they are jacketed.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[kcofohio]

Here is a link for reference to Cast Load for Military Rifles. Hope it helps.
http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?13425-Cast-Bullet-Loads-for-Military-Rifles-Article

 

[T-Bones]

Will definitely be picking up some bullseye when I can find some locally.
Have seen that post/data more than several times. Very interesting.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

T-bones, I think that 115gn may be a little to low for 7.62x54r bullet. I have seen down to a 125gn but it was very specific. I use the SIERRA 150gn SP with WLR primer and 17.4gn of Trailboss. I get an average of 1450fps. I actually was at the range today and zeroed in at 50yds with less than 1" groups. went to the 100yd range and got 1.50" in groups or less. it is a light plinking round not meant for hunting. I think my groups could be better but I am using a 2-7 x 40 AIM Scout scope on it.

LeftyTSGC

 

[Hondo 60]

The bullet being too small kinda struck me too.

I use Lee's CTL312-160-2R - it's a gas checked tumble lubed bullet.

23 grains of Alliant 2400 works great for a nice soft shooting round

 

[T-Bones]

LeftyTSGC where did you see that 125GR data? And was if for cast bullets?
Would like to check it out.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

T-Bones, I saw it in my Lymans 48thedition. see attached.

LeftyTSGC

 

[rsrocket1]

I use the Lee C312-185-R beagled up to .315" then sized to 0.314" for my 91/30 with a 0.313" groove and it's awesome at 50 yards with 10 grains Unique. I do have a Lee C309-113-F bullet that I use for plinker loads in .308 but my concern in a 91/30 would be that if the bullet is too small, you'll get gas cutting an lead the barrel.

You need make sure the bullet is at least 0.001" fatter than the grooves. You might be able to beagle the mold and with a powder coat, get it fat enough, but it would be a stretch. A plated or jacketed 0.308 bullet might work if the lands of the rifle are narrow enough to engrave the bullet.

10 grains of pistol/shotgun powder is a very good starting load for plinking rounds. 18g of 4895 will not generate enough pressure to start the powder going in a predictable manner. You will need at least 45 grains to get up to 25,000 psi and at that load, your MV will be nearly 2600 fps which is way too fast for a cast bullet. The 10 grain Unique/Bullseye/Red Dot load will only generate about 14,000 psi but for shotgun/pistol powder, that is plenty and you'll shoot the bullet out around 1500-1700 fps which is well within the limits of a cast bullet.

So the things you should do are:
- Ensure your cast bullets are at least 0.001" bigger than your groove diameter
- Get some medium to fast pistol/shotgun powder and start with 10 grains. Adjust a little up or down to see if accuracy is affected. Otherwise stick with 10 grains and keep checking for leading. Gas checks can be used, but at that load, I don't bother with them inside 50 yards.

 

[T-Bones]

LeftyTSGC thanks for posting that. According to that data cast or jacketed can be used with the same data? Is that just for that specific load or all loads?


rsrocket1 thanks for the info. my bullets are .314" and are flat nose. actually made for .32-20 win. would that be pose a problem? The pistol/shotgun powders i have are accurate no.5, hodgdon hs-6, and hodgdon international. could those be used? Thanks again to all.

 

[Sunray]

"...According to that data cast or jacketed can be used with the same data?..." Nope. Jacketed data will usually be too fast for a cast bullet. Causes leading if you try to drive a cast bullet too fast.
"...anyway to calculate the velocity and pressure..." Published pressures are averages and are not calculated. The reference chapters of your manual are your friend(decent read as well). Assuming there are such thing in your book. No easy math for velocity either. Varies a lot by barrel length and rifling twist too.
I suspect a .314" cast 115 grain bullet is a .32-20 Win or a pistol bullet. However, there are a couple jacketed 110 grainer loads on Reloader's Nest.
7.62X54R, .308 win, .30-40 Krag, and .303 British load data is not, never has been and never will be interchangeable. .308 operates at much higher pressures.
Anyway, ask at castboolits.com.