7.62x54r gallery load green dot/2400?

[Lokichoki]

Does anyone have info on making a reduced gallery load for the mosin using green dot or 2400 using pulled surplus bullets with the same steel case, the reason is of course for my grandfather who owns a 91/30 and has a ton of surplus Bulgarian ammo (10 14) that has the 150gr steel core jacketed projectiles I want to use them up instead of just pulling the bullets for my ppu brass. Also is it the primers that are corrosive the powder or both? Thanks all

 

[FROGO207]

It is my understanding that it is only the mixture in the primers that is corrosive. I have taken a series of bullets apart and weighed the propellant from each one and averaged it then resized the necks and reloaded the ammo with more precision bullets and an average of the propellant for accurate loads. You could do this with the original propellant charge or could cut it back say 10-15% and see where you are as far as gallery loads go. You do have to clean the rifle after as it will have corrosive salts in it though if you use the steel casings with the Berdan primers. It is better if you use a collet bullet puller to remove the bullets. Also they are cemented in with asphalt and if you push them in a couple thousands first they will pull better. If you do not do this and try with a kinetic puller they will just stay in the casings.Those Bulgarian steel core bullets are NOT known for their accuracy either.

 

[Englishmn]

Primers are corrosive, just clean accordingly no big deal. You can dump some of the surplus powder out and reseat the bullet. I use Dacron filler for light loads. The thing to watch for is getting a bullet stuck going to low on powder.

 

[Lokichoki]

Fantastic idea to break the seal by seating them a little deeper I have pulled about 200 or so just as they are with a impact bullet puller and I am definitely stronger in one arm than when I started, I though about lightening the loads present in the surplus ammo as they are but I feel at that recoil range would still be to much and I currently load a mild target/hunting load in brass already. Thanks for that info that is helpful for sure

 

[Lokichoki]

Also I take the bullets and shine them up in a tumbler till the paint is gone I don't have pictures of the groups but with irons I was getting 3" @100yds with just irons with my brass reloads, I just loaded up some with 47.5 gr of h335 3.01 C.O.L with federal 210m bench primers and trimmed to recommended length this was all done perfectly to the thousands as well as seating depth not to mention flash hole uniformed without a trace of carbon build up in cases (good old vinager and citric acid)

 

[FROGO207]

There is only the danger of sticking a bullet in the bore if you go too low on the charge. You could work down from a full charge using your brass casings and the Boxer primers until you find the load you want. That propellant is still good to use for that round even in lower charge amounts. I would use it up. Good shine you have there.

 

[Lokichoki]

Still I don't want to use the existing powder for a reduced load I want a gallery load and remember guys you can't just take away powder. in this case and how powerful that Bulgarian ammo is I'd say minus 10% is no biggie but it's not a good habit to do this if you have a charge lay flat in the case this can cause extreme pressure spikes during initial ignition due to extra surface area ignited at once especially with a powder designed at a medium burn rate found in these sized cartridges , with the gallery load it's usually a pistol/ shotgun round where ignition all at once is what is expected and pressures are known. I'm looking for a proven gallery load using the two mentioned powders if they can be safely used I can't find red dot anywhere locally or I would use that and be done.

 

[Lokichoki]

Not pistol shotgun round I meant powder

 

[redbullitt]

I have successfully used red dot in that cartridge, but thats no use if you cant find it... Trailboss would be an ideal candidate if you can find it. Unique comes to mind as well.

I have had success with lots of the faster pistol powders in 308 win, but I am using cast bullets for that... I am sure green dot could be used in my 308 with a light cast bullet, but with your combination I cannot say honestly. I think the most proven loads you will come across will be red dot and trailboss. Those light fluffy fast powders should be quite easy to light and forgiving of case positioning, BUT I would still try to get a good case fill with whatever powder you are considering.

H4895 is excellent for downloading 308 class cartridges if you want something with a little more oomph. 5744 is worth a look as well.

 

[Lokichoki]

I was definitely going to pick up imr4895 and I would jump for joy if I could find trailboss I cast for 38 and want cowboy loads for my pawpaw once again.

 

[Jeff H]

A case full of Trailboss and some lead bullets would sure make for some soft shooting loads. When testing, make sure no bullets get stuck in the barrel. the 91/30 has a rather long barrel for a soft shooting powder.

 

[Jeff H]

Hodgdon has a load listed for Trailboss with a 150 gr bullet in 30-06. That should be a real close starting point for you.

https://www.hodgdon.com/trail-boss/

 

[Lokichoki]

Oh you can literally take any cartridge find the capacity available with the bullet depth and knock off 10% bada Bing your good to go , I wouldn't start with any data for another cartridge no matter what that's not good practice

 

[Lokichoki]

And also I can't get trailboss I need to find out still if there are loads for the 2 givin powders

 

[Fishslayer]

And also I can't get trailboss I need to find out still if there are loads for the 2 givin powders

I resisted the lure of internet availability for a long time, primarily due to shipping & hazmat charges. Now I just order a bunch at a time & put what I don't need on my local buy/sell board at enough markup to defray the extra charges. If it's a popular/hard to find item you should have no problem moving it. In my area it's that or no powder at all.

 

[Lokichoki]

Yea I would but I'm poor and no one buys anything here I've had nice guns and ammo very fairly priced on list for 9 months not one reply

 

[FROGO207]

OP you could email/call the powder manufacturer and ask for any load data they might have you can use. Also I have seen Trail Boss on a couple of the reseller sited like Powder Valley or Widners lately IIRC there might still be some available.

Just checked and PV has Trail Boss in 14OZ and 5LB containers.

 

[Lokichoki]

I actually found trailboss and I'm good to go it measured 17.9 was my max load so I went with 15gr and it shoots sweet now I have to develope a load with the surplus powder for 30-06 for my buddy and that's it

 

[Hondo 60]

I've had great luck & accuracy using 2400 in my mosin.
I cast my own bullets - Lee CTL312-160-2R - gas checked, tumble lube bullet
23.0 gr

 

[Lokichoki]

Thanks for the info I'll keep that in mind when I buy a mold for it