7.62x54r loads for carbines

[russian762x54r]

Hi, I've been lurking on this site for a long time looking for info on one thing or another and finally decided to join. I'm trying to work up a good load for my m38, I'm using a 45.5 gr charge of WIN748 pushing .311 150 gr soft points with large rifle primers. my thinking is that maybe I should go to a faster powder with a magnum primer or maybe just go to a magnum primer, see how that works and adjust powder from there.
Anyone have any favorite carbine loads worked up?

 

[Sport45]

Welcome to The High Road!

I don't have a 7.62x54R so can't give you any particulars for that one. But I can say I haven't noticed barrel length having anything to do with which powder is best.

If I was to take a shot in the dark here I'd suggest a heavier bullet and H- or IMR-4895. No mag primer needed.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree barrel length shouldn't enter into consideration when choosing a powder, a good load is a good load.. I don't load for the 7.62X54R so I won't suggest a powder. I'm sure someone who does will be along shortly...

Welcome to the forum.

 

[russian762x54r]

This load has produced pretty good results out of my 91 30.
I'm not sure why barrel length wouldn't affect the load. My reasoning is that a longer barrel gives the propellant more time to burn so you use a slower burning powder. Now if you use that same powder in a shorter barrel it has less time to burn meaning that a large part of the charge is used to create a fire ball instead of push the projectile.
This isn't something I've gathered from any scientific testing, just what makes sense to me. If I'm wrong and someone can explain why I'd be very interested to know.

 

[Old Scratch]

I must respectfully disagree...powder selection and barrel length are always inextricably related. Just as one load is not necessarily accurate in every rifle, one powder does not perform equally well with every barrel length.

Shorter barrels generally prefer faster burning propellants. Blowing a huge quantity of half-burned slow powder out the muzzle isn't going to do anything for consistency of pressure or accuracy. It will create a big fireball at the muzzle and waste propellant, but that might not be what you want.

748 is a high density spherical propellant. You don't really need that because you're working with a large capacity case. Try 3031; it will fill the case more completely and you might find it gives better results.

 

[Old Scratch]

I must respectfully disagree...powder selection and barrel length are always inextricably related. Just as one load is not necessarily accurate in every rifle, one powder does not perform equally well with every barrel length.

Shorter barrels generally prefer faster burning propellants. Blowing a huge quantity of half-burned slow powder out the muzzle isn't going to do anything for consistency of pressure or accuracy. It will create a big fireball at the muzzle and waste propellant, but that might not be what you want.

748 is a high density spherical propellant. You don't really need that because you're working with a large capacity case. Try 3031; it will fill the case more completely and you might find it gives better results.

 

[_N4Z_]

I have reloaded x54 for some time now. Also have many manuals with info on same, and one of them (Sierra 5th ed.) even used a M44 (20in barrel length) as their test rifle.

They list 13 different powders for use with 6 of their 150gr. rounds. Note-They use .308 rounds which I find not good in most Russian bores.

Anyway, they do not list W748. The fastest powder I see here is AA2015. Only Winchester powder I see covered is W760.

They list IMR3031 as the accuracy load with 43.9gr - *MAX LOAD this powder.*
They list IMR4350 as the hunting load with 55.1gr. - *also MAX this powder.*
They used Lapua cases with Rem 9-1/2 primers.

Personally I do not have a 20 incher in my collection. All run 27 and up. For 150gr rounds I have had good success with both H4895 and IMR4895.

Good luck with your experimenting.

 

[FROGO207]

My best accuracy is with AA2015 and about a low to mid range amount of propellant. .308 not so accurate .311 150GR that I use for my 303 British are the best for mine in the longer barrel.

 

[Palehorseman]

If I was to take a shot in the dark here I'd suggest a heavier bullet and H- or IMR-4895. No mag primer needed.
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LOL, I get your drift, but still funny. Firing a 7.62x54 short barreled carbine in the dark, is like a flash bang grenade going off. My bubbarized one at night is surreal even with light loads.

 

[russian762x54r]

Thanks for the help guys, I lost a lot of my info and most of the loads I used, not to mention a few toys due my now ex-wife. The 3031 load sounds familiar.... I think that may have been what I used in my M44. I'll start playing with that at around 42 grains and see how the rifle likes it.

 

[res45]

I've had good success with Reloader #15 in my M44 with Hornady .312 dia. bullets in 150 and 174 gr. as well as the Sierra and Speer 150 gr. .311's.

My M44 seems to like the 150 gr. weights the best,groups easily shoot between 2 and 3" at 100 yds. with the factory irons which is way better than most surplus I've shot. The only exception is the Yugo surplus 54r which groups very well.

My M44 also responds well to cast bullets,the Lee .312 160 gr. TL mold drops at .313 from my mold and I apply a gas check with the Lee .314 sizer. 16.0 grs. of Alliant 2400 pushes the bullet at around 1500 fps. and is a cheap plinking and small game load.