7.62x54r with TrailBoss?????????

[LeftyTSGC]

Yes, i am asking about using Trail boss with reloading for my Mosin Nagant for plinking out to 100yds.

Has anyone tried Trail Boss with 7.62x54R. I plan on using PPV Brass, WLR, and Sierra 150 or 180 SP bullets (or any good 150-180gn bullet). I want a low recoil practice bullet out to 100yds.

I do not want to go buy more powder if i dont have too, so I had heard that others have tried TB. I also have Longshot and BE-86 available for now.

I have plenty of surplus (shoulder pounding) ammo.
I have also bought the PPV ammo (for the brass).
For the fun of it would like to reload my own.

Any suggestions, comments, grips, complaints, or just plain fussin??

thanks all

LeftyTSGC

 

[rcmodel]

This is all you need to get started developing a load.

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

rc

 

[LeftyTSGC]

RC,

Yes thanks, I saw that on the site and downloaded it. I currently use TB for all of my .45LC cowboy matches, but it just seemed to simple, so am asking for experiences had by others for 7.62 x 54R reloads.

alibi: i have only loaded straight wall pistol cartridges so this will be my first bottle neck reloads.

LeftyTSGC

 

[Scooter22]

I have plenty of surplus (shoulder pounding) ammo.

Download it 10% or so. Thats what I do with Turk 8x57.

 

[rsrocket1]

I use the Lee 312-185-1R with 10g Unique in my 91/30, but have tried numerous powders (Unique, Red Dot, Clays, Titewad, Power Pistol, Bullseye, 800X) in 308. Quite honestly, they all burn 100% by the time the bullet leaves the rifle barrel and are close enough in velocities that it's all safe and you simply work up or down by a little to tighten up your groups. Trail Boss is very close to Clays and Titewad in terms of MV and pressure per grain so 10 grains would be a good place to start. I would personally use a more economical powder, but if that's all you have and that's what you want to burn, it will be fine.

You'll be greeted with a very pleasant low recoil and a report almost worthy of no ear protection if you are out in the open, but of course you should still wear it.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[maxxhavoc]

I have used Red Dot and Trail boss in them. No problems with either. I am using these:
http://www.xtremebullets.com/7-62X39-123-FP-p/xc762x39-123fp-b0250.htm

Accuracy is good but not amazing. If I remember correctly, the rear sight was set on "500" to hit near point of aim at 100.

 

[dh1633pm]

I have used trail boss in 7x57 with good effect using the loading method from the IMR site. I have had good results.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

Great to hear all of the positive comments, as soon as all of my components and parts get in I will try TB.

Anything special I need to know about reloading for this round?

LeftyTSGC

 

[rsrocket1]

At the low recoil loads (~10g), the load is very mild. You might end up with some sooty necks, but don't let that bother you. If you neck size only, your brass will last a very long time.

It would help to slug your barrel. That way you'll know for sure your groove and land diameters as well as if you have any tight spots in your barrel but slugging for jacketed bullets really isn't necessary, only for cast bullets.

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

It will vary from rifle to rifle, but pretty decent accuracy can be obtained using Trail Boss and fairly heavy lead bullets in the 160-180 grain weights. As stated in previous post(s) you do need to slug your barrel and size the lead bullets appropriately.

One thing to note (tongue in cheek), with light TB loads they will have the trajectory of a mortar, but once you find the sweet spot, they will be remarkably consistent out to 100 yards or so.

I actually achieved better than MOA accuracy with 12.5 grains of TB and a 209 grain cast lead bullet in my 8mm K98 Mauser at 100 yards, but that was on an indoor range with no wind effects.

Jim

 

[joem1945]

I tried Trail Boss in a 8mm K98 with some hard cast lead. Low recoil and low accuracy @ 100 yds.

 

[rskent]

I tried Trail Boss in a 8mm K98 with some hard cast lead. Low recoil and low accuracy @ 100 yds.

This has been my experience with 3006 as well.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

7.62x54r range test

Okay,

So I loaded 10 rounds. 7.62x54r PPU Brass, Sierra 180gn SP, 12.3gn TrailBoss, WLR primer, OAL of 2.975.

Clear 42degrees, I did not do accuracy test, 10 rounds at an average velocity of 1160. that was compared to the PPU rounds average of 2520.

I have one big question? Do I need to crimp these rounds? I did not crimp the first 10. Would i see in improvement in performance? Is there any need to do it vs. not doing it at all. The bullets hold very well, there is a lot of tension. My only comparison is to the 9mm or 45lc that i load, this is my first rifle bottle neck reloads, so it appears that crimping for pistol really is to hold the bullet in place and allow pressure build. But with the neck tension in the necks of the rifle rounds, is this really as important.

Now that i know TB works, i will work up loads until i get a comfortable shooting round that also can hit paper at 100yds.

Any replies would be appreciated.

LeftyTSGC

 

[berettaprofessor]

Seems like reduced loads for the 54R would take all the fun out of shooting a Mosin.

 

[morcey2]

I load lots of reduced loads in 8x57, 7.62x54R, and 30-06. I use TB and Red Dot. (Not at the same time. ). Accuracy at 100 yards most of the time is mediocre at best but most of these loads are shot at 25 yards. They're so some of my grandkids, nieces, and nephews (among others) can shoot the "big guns" without unnecessary battering. It works great for that. I loaded some 125 grain TNTs with trail boss and it actually shoots pretty well out of my 1903. Most of the rest of them are 150 gr (8x57 and 30-06) and 123 gr (7.62x54R).

Matt

 

[LeftyTSGC]

I loaded up some more with 13, 14 and 15gn of TB. I will see how they shoot at 50yds, that is what I want them to do. I will see what happens at 100.

Could someone tell me if the CRIMP is required or not on these? as mentioned earlier I have only done straight wall pistol rounds previously and the need for a crimp seems to be different than for bottle neck brass for bolt action rifles.

The tension seems to hold the bullet firmly in place, but is there another reason (ie. pressure build?) that I should crimp these?

thanks

LeftyTSGC.

 

[rsrocket1]

Crimp is NOT required on these loads so long as they chamber in your gun. I put a very light crimp on my cases only because I flare the rim slightly to allow the bullet to seat smoothly. I adjust the Lee FCD to close very slightly to bring the flare as close to vertical as possible. If I overdo it, it doesn't hurt, it simply works the case mouth a little more.


No, the pressure build from a crimp will not make a significant change to the pressure or velocity of these rounds. The crimp makes a negligible change to the start pressure and the powder you are using is so fast, it won't make a difference.

 

[opos]

I love the 'pop" and smell of lilacs with Trail Boss...I figured the "formula" was too simple but simple is good!! It does get expensive but what the heck..its worth the price of admission to watch people try and figure out what the heck that old tent pole is shooting...gotta love it.

 

[rogn]

Ive been loading a couple of WSMs, 7mm &300 and a 375 Ruger, with unsized cast bullets that are Lee tumble lubed. Im not using TB but the same principles apply. I dont size the cases at , just use finger pressure to seat. Some are tighter than others-the 375 will seat firmly and can be run thru the magazine. The looser ones are single shot. Im using low charges of a discontinued shotshell powder and velocities are from 1100 to 1500FPS. Accuracy is quite acceptable and the 375 will frequently put 3 shots sub MOA @ 100. I would use TB but I have a lot of the old shotshell powder left. Makes practice and plinking cheap, cheap, cheap. The real drawback is the major change in point of impact for my group up to 10" at 100yd.