7.62x54R Loads

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TenDriver

Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
1,223
Location
Huntsville, AL
Just got some 125 gr .311 FMJ and a few pieces of brass. The bullets are a little light, but will get the job done.

Anyone have any load suggestions? Is 303 British data a decent place to start looking? I'm not familiar enough with that cartridge to decide if that data is a decent starting point or not.
 
54R load data seems pretty limited, especially for the light bullets. Hodgdon has a couple of recipes on their website. Alliant has no data at all. I haven't had a chance to check into the Lee manual or Lyman's recently, but I remember it being vague.
 
I saw that. Problem is I'm limited to Varget with that bullet weight due to availability. I really don't want to use Varget in a mostly plinking gun.

I'm really interested in Accurate / Ramshot data. I saw some data for AA2015 but can't remember where, or find it again.
 
If you look at x54R data, starting charges are generally on the upper end of .308 Win data and Max charges are generally about where .30-06 starting charges are. Awhile back I was doing research to try to figure out a safe starting load for x54R using Hodgdon CFE223. I safely used upper end data from .308 Win and worked up (not much of a spread between .308 and .30-06 with CFE223). In my opinion using .303 Brit data would be underpowered, maybe have the potential to be dangerous.
 
I was going to suggest Hodgdon data online but when I looked all bullet diameters listed were .308, so now I can see part of your dilemma. Best of luck.
 
I saw some data for AA2015 but can't remember where, or find it again.
Click to expand...

Lyman's Reloading Manual? (Lyman: Historic Military Calibers)

I looked at Western Powder's .pdf on reloads when I got home. Nothing for 7.62x54R
 
The Hornady manuals have a good mix of data for the 123gr .310" bullets. I loaded some using H4895 and Varget for my M38 Mosin.
I got around 2,700 fps using both powders with a few gr under max

They list Aa2495, H4895, W748, Varget and a few others.

If I was going to load up more, I'd probably use W748, I too want to save my Varget and H4895 for my target 308.

TAC should work well with that bullet weight, its fairly similar to W748.
 
Centurian22 said:
I was going to suggest Hodgdon data online but when I looked all bullet diameters listed were .308, so now I can see part of your dilemma. Best of luck.
Click to expand...
Yep.

If all else fails I may end up using IMR-4064 and filling up a case to see what it will hold, then back off. Way off. I know from experience that 4064 doesn't mind being undercharged, and after seeing this I'm not real wound up about an overcharge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfiXFyIbOZw
 
Hornady list data with IMR4064. 45.7gr - 52.8gr with their 123gr .310" bullets.
 
The Lyman's: Historic Military Calibers has a,
Sierra 125 gr. Jacketed SP with 2015 powder
starting load 41.5 gr., max load 46.0 gr.
2,647-2,894 fps. 2.800" OAL

Sierra SPT #2305, 125 gr. (.311")
 
TenDriver said:
Just got some 125 gr .311 FMJ and a few pieces of brass. The bullets are a little light, but will get the job done.

Anyone have any load suggestions? Is 303 British data a decent place to start looking? I'm not familiar enough with that cartridge to decide if that data is a decent starting point or not.
Click to expand...
Between the Lyman 49th and the Lee 2nd editions there is eight different powder loads listed for the 125 grain bullet. Lyman list XMR-2015, IMR-4895, Varget, N140, & RX 15. LEE list BL-C(2), H4895, H335, & H-Varget. Lyman shows Varget being the most accurate but there is a big difference between the Lyman data and the Lee data using Varget. Lyman has a starting load of 45.5 & Max load of 50.5 with a OAL of 2.80. Lee shows a starting load of 51.0 & Max of 55.0 with a min OAL of 2.715 and a max OAL of 3.037 Using H-Varget.
 
I haven't had much luck with the lighter bullets. The Mosin shoots best with long heavier bullets. The Russian match bullets are longer then Sierra Match King bullets in the same weight by about 3/16". I can't find anything longer then the SMK.
IMR4895 is an excellent powder for the Mosin. Try it if you can find any.
I'm using around 47gr.
 
I recently was shooting and still am loading up Hornady 123 gr .310 V-Max bullets with 52 gr of IMR 4320 for my M-27 Nagant.
It was consistantly grouping under 1" @ 100 yards with a scope off a Bi Pod with two shots touching.
I use to shoot the regular 123 FMJ's that I pulled off 7.62x39 ammo with 40.0 gr of IMR-4895.
As well as regular Hornady 123 SP's
The V-Max was also hitting a 16" steel gong at 700 Yards, and Dang near got a Cottontail that I was aiming at, that was sitting by the gong when I started shooting.
 
Thanks for the replies, folks. I finally got a chance to look in the Lee and Lyman books. I will likely go with either IMR-4895 or 4064 since I keep one of those on hand most of the time.

I hear what you're saying about the lighter bullets. I had planned on going heavier but got a deal I couldn't refuse. I traded for them after seeing a picture and thought they were M2 bullets. When I weighed one, it came up light for a M2, then measured at .311. I wanted some bullets for my Mosin anyway so the deal put a smile on my face. If they don't work, I'll pass the rest to someone else.
 
@ Tendriver
I think you will be happy with the lighter bullets.
My M N's mostly like a heavier bullet, but I get excellent results from the 123's in .310. .311 and even the .312's.
I would suggest you start with 46.0 0f IMR 4895.
That was my most accurate with all bullets of that weight, and then you can work up from there for your rifle.
But I was suprised how well the V Max did with the 4320.
But that was from a Full on Custom M-27 Finn with a pristine Heavy barrel and a scope.
 
I agree on the heavier bullets. I have not tried lighter weight bullets, but it sounds as though some are having success with them. I wouldn't think they would have a high enough BC for long range performance. The pinnacle of long range accuracy seems to be the 200 grain Lapua D166 and all the off the shelf match stuff ranges 174- 182 grain. The Greenhill equation does not take weight in to account for optimal twist rate, but rather bullet length.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
BL-C2 in 7.62x54R HIGH PRESSURE
Replies
9
Views
1K
Swampman
Swampman
T-Bones
  • Locked
7.62x54R 115 grain cast with H4895?
Replies
9
Views
1K
Sunray
S
M
  • Locked
Reloading the 7.62x54R.
Replies
19
Views
4K
Clark
Clark
G
  • Locked
Reduced .303 British loads
Replies
5
Views
3K
cropcirclewalker
C
B
  • Locked
303 loads
Replies
1
Views
610
Clark
Clark
Back
Top