7.62x54R Silver Bear questions on mosin nagant

[shotgunsrfun]

Silver Bear makes 7.62x54R in 203gr has anyone used this? in mosin nagant. It says non-corrosive. Is 203gr to high for a mosin nagant? the surplus stuff is only 140-150 something like that. Would this damage the gun because of to much gr?

 

[Cosmoline]

That's fine to shoot from a Mosin. I've fired that weight from rifles made in the 1890's. IIRC the very first 54R ball was in that weight range, and a lot of Mosins still seem to shoot best with it.

You do want to stay clear of that weight for some of the semis, though. The PSL I believe has troubles if you shoot a lot of heavy bullets through it.

 

[lopezni]

I'd look for Prvi Partizan. It is higher quality ammo, uses reloadable brass cases, and is still pretty cheap. Wolf Gold, is Prvi Partizan too, just with a different label.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmo023.htm

A heavier bullet isn't a problem for a bolt action, what will break it is too high a powder load (with any bullet). The heavier bullet (given the same load as a lighter one) will just produce a lower muzzle velocity. If you compare the 203gr SP ammo to military surplus evaluated on the site above, you will find they both have similar muzzle energy, just the velocity differs.

I have heard similar things as Cosmoline regarding the PSL and heavier bullets. Probably similar to the Garand where a heavier bullet and/or higher charge will develop more gas pressure and damage the gas system. Fortunately a bolt action has none of these complications

I've shot a number of the SP rounds through my 91/30 with no issues. Recoil felt roughly the same as surplus stuff. Seemed like it was a little less accurate than the FMJ, but it was some time ago and my skills may have been at fault as well.

 

[saturno_v]

Hodgdon loading data table mentions bullet weights up to 220 gr. for the 7,62x54R

As far as i know in Russia they use the 203 grainers to take down the real big stuff (big bears included)

 

[MissouriCrowinMass]

My two M39's shoot Silver Bear BEST. They shoot Brown Bear and the Bulgarian plain paper wrapped pretty good too.....

but my 91/30 actually shoots Silver Bear exclusively.......don't know why but Brown Bear & Bulgarian are just all over the place when shot out of my 91/30.

I like Silver Bear! Or, reloads.......

 

[blakeci]

I had a Mosin that used to stick horribly with the new lacquered ammo as well as surplus, I'm talking needed a 2x4 to get the bolt open. I got the 180 grain Silver Bear ammo, and it works beautifully, ejects strong and seems to be very accurate.

 

[Sock Puppet]

As the others have said, 203g is fine.

Don't believe the non-corrosive bit, though. I treat every 7.62X54R as if it's corrosive and clean my rifles after each outing.

 

[svaz]

I've shot it through my '38 Izzy with no probs. I didn't even experience extraordinary recoil with the heavier bullets as many claim.

 

[MissouriCrowinMass]

Great tip about not believing everything you read on the box of any foreign ammo claiming to have non-corrosive primers. I still wash my barrels out with Windex after shooting Silver Bear, Brown Bear or the Bulgarian stuff.

 

[jojo200517]

I have shot it in mine and it seems to go bang just fine, and it makes an impressive whack when it hits something. Oh yeah I almost forgot its cheap to shoot compared to say .308.