Finn M39

[Maj Dad]

Anyone have any recommendations on loading for the M39? I just bought one today, and I'm interested in your experience loading for it. The barrel should have a .3100 bore according to the article on Moisin-Nagant.net ( http://www.mosinnagant.net/finland/finnish_mosin_nagantm39.asp ). I haven't received it so can't slug it, but the barrel is as new and should be pretty close according to other information I found. I load for a lot of calibers, just never got around to 7.62x54 because of the cheap surplus, but I want to load for this rifle. There are enough stories about how accurate they are that reloading has got to get into the equation.

Specifically, I see that Lee includes a .308 and a .311 expander plug, and the RCBS is a .310 or .311. If the bore on this rifle is .310, and I use .310 or .311 bullets, it doesn't seem necessary or prudent to use a .308 expander plug - thoughts? Neck sizing versus full-length after first full-length? No experience with M-N chambers vis a vis reloading...

All this may be a little premature, but I'm getting antsy for a new rifle and all the paraphernalia and new stuff it entails...

 

[goon]

When I had mine, it was tight enough to shoot .308 bullets pretty well. FWIW, it was great for breaking clay pigeons on the 200 yard berm.

Once you have the brass sized to the chamber, neck sizing may work just fine. I find .303 British to be an exceptionally easy round to reload - I never even use lube when I'm only neck sizing (but I haven't loaded .303 in a few years).

 

[Outlaw75]

Specifically, I see that Lee includes a .308 and a .311 expander plug,

The Lee 7.62x54R die set comes with the .308 expander. If you want to load .311 you have to buy the Lee .303 expander plug separately and swap them out. But you're only talking about $5 extra.