Ballistic Tip milserp 762x54R

[kirk0311]

I have a pretty sweet shooting Mosin 91/30 and ton of milserp 762x54R. I want to start hunting with it and while I know there some decent 7.62 SP's out there They are pretty $$ and usually alot heaver then my 147gr training ammo so I'm assuming the ballistics should be pretty different. I want to shoot alot and stay as consistent as possible between my hunting/shooting ammo and I'm on a budget so... Would it be ok to pull a few hundred of my spam can rounds, reduce the powder load a bit to the appropriate level, and reload them with some .308 ballistic tip bullets?

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

I have done that with my M44 carbine, but have heard others who say their accuracy is better with larger (.311) bullets. Can't hurt to try, however, as some, including mine, shoot just fine with .308 bullets.

 

[kingmt]

It would be OK.

 

[kirk0311]

Good to know it wasn't a totally insane idea. Anyone with a good reloading book know what the power load should be reduced to?

 

[FROGO207]

You should measure your pulled bullets. Then get some soft points that are the same diameter and weight (or slightly heaver). Then measure the propellant taken from a large number of cases individually and average the results. Put back the "average results" amount and insert your chosen bullet. This is commonly known as "Mexican Match" and will work well besides being much more accurate. You could develop loads with a new propellant that will not flash as much and have less of a boom but that would cost more that using the old stuff over. BTW subbing a 150 grain SP bullet for a 147 grain FMJ without changing propellant amounts should work well. Just do not use a lighter bullet than the original as this would raise pressures. Also make sure the new bullet is inserted no further into the case as the old one to keep the pressure the same as the old loading because the OAL will most likely be shorter.

 

[NCsmitty]

I've done a similar thing myself, but only reduced the powder charge and reinstalled the FMJ bullet.
There are a few 150gr soft points of .310" thru .312" that will be a much better match to the bore of a 91/30 Mosin than .308" bullets.
Take an average of 10 powder charges from the surplus, and drop 2 grains and load a 150 gr Sierra .311 pro-hunter soft point, although you may need resize the neck to properly secure the bullet with the right neck tension. Seat the bullet to approximate the original COAL, and try them for accuracy. If they don't shoot well, try the Hornady's.

I'm sure that you are aware that they will still be corrosive because of the primer.

Looking at a load manual is useless because only the Russian manufacturer knows what they used for powder, and they aren't talking. The powder drop that I recommend is about a 5% reduction and should be adequate for near identical bullet weights. If you want to drop it 4gr, go ahead, but not knowing the powders properties, I would not do anymore than that.


NCsmitty

 

[Scimmia]

Just do not use a lighter bullet than the original as this would raise pressures.

How's that work? I know some powders don't like reduced charges, but this statement seems a bit much to me.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Looking at a load manual is useless because only the Russian manufacturer knows what they used for powder, and they aren't talking.

You would be MUCH better served by either using a 150 grn .310 or .311 diameter SP
OR
dumping the powder and using a standard (from a book) load

 

[rio nueces]

People do it all the time. It's called 'Mexican Match' ammo.