Handloading the 7.62x54R

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GC51

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I own a Romanian PSL rifle and have read that you shouldn't use more than a 148g slug in them as heavier slugs tend to beat the receiver up...so far, the only factory load I've found is from Hornady and it was 168g or something like that...can you use any 7.62 slug to hand-load this round? Is anyone selling the components or offering a hunting style load 148g or lighter?
 
Should be able to use 30 cal bullets. This is not my expertise, so I may be wrong. I don't think bullets will be your issue. Load data most likely.
 
Loading 7.62x54R ......

You really should slug your barrel to see, exactly, what diameter your bore truly is. This is a must, if you decide to start using cast bullets.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem loading everything from 110gr to 220gr in my M-44 Mosin. But, my personal handloads would all be under 1800 fps.

Just food for thought. BTW, I bought a 169gr mold specifically for my Mosin.

HV
 
100 yards, but I'm not showing you my other groups... LOL!
Seriously, I start to fall apart when bench shooting. I'm tons better when shooting from prone.
 
ever consider a recoil buffer to prevent heavier cartridges from causing the bolt carrier to hot the back of the receiver so hard?
 
Thought about the recoil buffer, but that's never been my issue at the bench.. I tend to influence the gun too much with my body when sitting. I know it's odd, but it's more pronounced with that AK trigger.. For me anyway. Prone takes my sway away...

I did do the Holescreek mod to my gas port though, and wowee! It made an amazing difference in the aggressive bolt carrier travel! It cycles smoothly and doesn't beat the hell out of the brass against the cover now.
 
Hornady 150 gr interlock SP in 0.311"
Click to expand...

Yup. There are a few bullets around for things like the 303 Brit that work well.

For some reason, a lot of the 7.62x54R brass I've had was poorly annealed at the factory, and I got cute little pleats on the shoulder. Might be a good idea to anneal the brass.
 
gas block mod

Checked out the gas block mod and I think I might go with that. I have a fair amount of mil surplus ammo and I want to still use that as plinkin' ammo, seems like the gas block mod would just be an all around good idea...also got some good places to go for hunting loads. Thanks Everyone!
 
GC51 said:
Checked out the gas block mod and I think I might go with that. I have a fair amount of mil surplus ammo and I want to still use that as plinkin' ammo, seems like the gas block mod would just be an all around good idea...also got some good places to go for hunting loads. Thanks Everyone!
Click to expand...
reducing the gas port hole via a set screw is the best way to do it, but my experience with loading 7.62x54R is that you really dont need more than a 154 grain for just about any purpose
 
That I knew. I was trying to get more along the lines of bullets. I wasn't aware that there were such a large amount of choices available.
 
7.62x54R is .311-.312. and american 30 calibers are .308" so i wouldnt use .308 bullets, i would just use speer .311" 150 grain hot cor bullets
 
trentcwwilson said:
Visit MidwayUSA and check again. 30 cal is listed from .308-.311
Click to expand...
Here's the section you need to look at over a MidwayUSA:

http://www.midwayusa.com/303-caliber-77mm-japanese-762x39mm-310-312/br?cid=7561

Even though 7.62 is the caliber designation on 7.62x54R, 7.62x39, and 7.62x51, the last one is the only one that uses 0.308" bullets. (ignoring Finnish mosins for the moment) The OPs PSL will have a groove diameter of at least 0.311", possibly larger. Standard .30 caliber bullets will work, but won't be optimal at all. It also depends on the sizing die used on the brass. If the expander is for a 0.311" bullet, but he's using standard 30 caliber bullets, at best he'll have little neck tension. At worst, the bullets will drop right through the neck.

The only larger-than-.308 bullets listed in their "30-caliber" section are cast lead bullets, with the exception of a rebated-boattail Lapua bullet.

Matt
 
On the note of the .308 vs .311/.312 bore diameter....

Dies: Depending on which diameter of projo you need, be sure to check your decapping/sizing pin. You'll need to size the case mouth appropriately.
 
I've picked up a bit of info on reloading 54r in the last year from various sites as 54r has been my favorite cartridge for about 5 years now. I primariluy shoot .312 Sierra Match King 174gr bullets from my bolt guns and their 150 pro hunters from the semi's. However I am experimenting with 174s in the PSLs somewhat too. I just have to remember to turn the gas down first.

BTW, the setscrew mod wasn't my idea, I just did the how-to thread because it was easier than explaining it several times a year.
 
A PSL should be fed ~150-grain bullets. Anything between 147 and around 155 is fine. PRVI Partizan makes 150-grain soft point ammo that shoots great in the PSL. You can also occasionally get Wolf 148-grain, or Wolf Gold (actually PRVI Partizan) 150-grain FMJ. The PRVI Partizan also gets you excellent reloadable brass (even Hornady uses PPU brass for some of their niche calibers). As for .308 vs. .311 bullets, I have heard from some reloaders that .308 bullets shoot great in a Mosin Nagant. I cannot speak to how well it shoots out of a PSL, but it's worth trying if you can't find .311 bullets the right weight.

I did tons of research on ammo types for my PSL. I keep a fairly large stash of the 150-grain PRVI Partizan around for my various 7.62x54R guns (2 Mosins, a PSL, and an SVT-40). As for the bit on Hornady using PPU brass, I bought some Hornady 7.7x58 JAP for my Arisaka 99 that had PPU headstamps.
 
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I can't speak for the rifle but I can for the round. You want .311 bullets and the longest one you can find. SMK is as close as I have found to the Russian sniper or match ammo an the Russian match ammo that I have is pretty accurate.
IMR4895 powder works pretty good.
 
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