Cheap 7.62x54 ammo? For how long?

[Capybara]

Just bought my first Mosin and I saw an interesting review of the VEPR Dragunov that Atlantic sells in 7.62x54.

Does anyone have any indication from any of the ammo wholesalers and suppliers of how long the supply of cheap 7.62x54 ammo will hold? I plan on buying a few thousand rounds but since it is not reloadable, how long the supply holds for is of concern if I was to buy an expensive rifle like the VEPR.

I know, who knows? They have obviously made a lot of ammo, but I am curious of any of you think it will dry up in the next few years? Perhaps buying the more expensive rifle in 7.62x39 or 5.45x39 might be smarter if I want something with a cheap ammo supply for the next decade or so?

 

[OARNGESI]

its hard to beat 7.62x39 a few cents more a round than surplus 7.62x54 or surplus 5.45x39 but once the surplus dries up the 7.62x39 will be cheaper and easier to find plus your not shooting corosive ammo

 

[TenDriver]

54R is still in military production as far as I know. Surplus ammo will get more scarce, but I think availability will remain longer than most of the other calibers.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Hey, back when I bought my first Mosin, there was pretty much NO cheap surplus available as the Cold War was still hot. All we could get was very expensive Norma brand ammo. On the plus side, it was excellent brass and reloadable. I still have a bunch of it.

 

[Capybara]

With the cost of .223 and .30-06, my two other rifle calibers going through the roof (I am praying that the CMP HXP holds out for a few more years), the ultra low cost of the 7.62x54 round is very appealing to have for more than my Mosin. I did not know it was still a current issue round. 7.62x39 is pretty cheap too and I know that is a current round.

I just don't want to get invested in a pile of Mosins and perhaps a VEPR or two in 7.62x54, then discover that all of that great, cheap eastern bloc ammo has dried up in a year or two. The regular factory ammo isn't as expensive as .308 but it is far from the amazing deals that I can get on the Russian and Bulgarian milsurp.

 

[adelbridge]

the same 1950's production 7.62X54R that sold for $.20 a round years ago is selling for $.50 a round today. Production cost didnt go up on 60 year old surplus ammo. The stuff trades many many times over the years and demand keeps going up.

 

[fatcat4620]

the same 1950's production 7.62X54R that sold for $.20 a round years ago is selling for $.50 a round today. Production cost didnt go up on 60 year old surplus ammo. The stuff trades many many times over the years and demand keeps going up.

Where are you paying that much? It is still $80 a can.

 

[BCRider]

Where are you paying that much? It is still $80 a can.

I wish.... Up this way it's about double that for a 440 SPAM can.

It's still as cheap as reloading though.

I enjoy my Mosins a lot when I take them out. But due to other shooting intrests and other hobby's that are non shooting they don't get out all that often. So the case of 880 I got recently is likely going to keep me going until I'm too frail and shakey to risk putting a Mosin to my shoulder...

Given the variability of the surplus ammo I'm looking at getting some dies and brass and reload my own recipes. From all I've read about going that way it should be easily possible to halve the size of the groups compared to the surplus stuff.

 

[csspecs]

its about $72 a can, but it used to be $38 a can back in 05'

 

[adelbridge]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM653-5.html

 

[451 Detonics]

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000376&dir=18

I have an idea there will be very little warning when this dries up, just as the 7.62X25 disappeared very quickly. Of course if NO'bama gets re-elected I foresee a ban on the importation of all ammo via one of his Czar's...

If I owned a Mosin I would own at least 10,000 rounds of ammo for it...minimum. It ain't going to get cheaper than it is now. A few guys who know how much 7.62X25 I bought have already offered me triple what I paid per case...lol. Noticed I said offered...haven't sold any yet.

 

[Powerglide]

Reload, reload, reload

 

[Scimmia]

Reload, reload, reload

If you can reload for $0.17/round (what I paid last time I bought 7.62x54R), more power to you.