7.62x54R Surplus ammo
- Thread starter Deles136
- Start date
- Status
WhoKnowsWho
Member
That's why I just fire my SKS after my Mosin Nagant has beat my shoulder up enough!
I would expect one of the reloading manuals to actually have information on this though.
I would expect one of the reloading manuals to actually have information on this though.
MonkeyMan
Member
I've never seen anyone post about doing it with 7.62 Russian but I have seen some posts over on the Turkish Mauser Forum where folks have done it with Turkish surplus 8MM. Some of that stuff is fairly sharp too. It shouldn't be a problem though, pull a bullet, weigh a charge, reduce it by 5%, RPN.
Have fun.
Have fun.
Try one of those HAWKEN reproductions with the half moon brass buttplate and crooked stock if you want to experience a new thrill. RON in PA
Member
I'd suggest this: look at a few reloading manuals that list 7.62x54R and look at the starting loads of various powders like 4064 or 3031(or other powders in that burning range) compared to the top loads. What is the ratio? 75%?80? Weigh the powder in your surplus ammo and assume that is the top load. Reduce that load by the ratio you have developed.
Another suggestion: Ed Harris's " The Load", 13 grains of Red Dot. I've used this in surplus Albanian 7.62x54R. Pull the bullet,dump the powder and replace with the Red Dot, reseat the bullet. This load gives about 1550 fps in my 1938 MN carbine and is like shooting a .22. Use a sight setting of 600-700 meters. If you try this be anal as hell about not double charging. An alternative for a bulkier load would be a powder like 4227 or 2400, look in a Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook for starting loads with these.
Another suggestion: Ed Harris's " The Load", 13 grains of Red Dot. I've used this in surplus Albanian 7.62x54R. Pull the bullet,dump the powder and replace with the Red Dot, reseat the bullet. This load gives about 1550 fps in my 1938 MN carbine and is like shooting a .22. Use a sight setting of 600-700 meters. If you try this be anal as hell about not double charging. An alternative for a bulkier load would be a powder like 4227 or 2400, look in a Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook for starting loads with these.
Thanks to you all. I think I will dump 10% and 20% of the existing powder and see which one works out. If I am not satisfied I believe the 13 grains of Red Dot would be just what I am looking for. I will report my results as soon as the weather warms up enough to be able to go to the range. Many thanks, Old Man
M2HMGHB
Member
Midway USA is now offering Olympic brand ammo in 7.62x54R. I ordered a couple boxes and plan to pull a few bullets and check the powder and see if the cases aare boxer or berdan primed.
MonkeyMan
Member
The ad in their latest catalog says Olympic is boxer primed. I've shot the 124 gr. Olympic 9MM and it's a tad on the warm side. It was flattening the primers in my Taurus PT-99. The brass reloads nice though. I'm curious to try some of the 7.62Russian.
Oleg Volk
Moderator Emeritus
7.62x54R might kick hard on a bench...but I've only fired it prone, kneeling and standing and the kick seems surprisingly mild. Maybe using the sling spreads the recoil over both sides of the body, but I've shot about 100 rounds in one outing with Betty's M44 carbine and more than that with a Finnish M91, no problems, not even a sore shoulder.
M2HMGHB
Member
I've got a 91/30 Finnish capture(just found that out a couple days ago, markings were subdued) and an M39. The m39 is a very good shooter, and quite frankly I think the recoil is on a par with an SKS.
- Status
