Tried slugging the barrel (never done it before with any gun) with fishing sinkers I bought at W-M. Wanted the egg sinker 1/8 size, but they were out, so I got the egg sinker 1/4 size. Turned out to be a little too big though.Bender, don't give up on that baby. Mine with a pristine barrel did exactly the same thing. I loaded her up with some .312's and now she's one of the better shooters in my growing mil-surp collection.
What's everyone else use for slug lead? Never done it before, so I'm a novice at it. Did pick up a .25" hardwood dowel while I was at W-M.
edit: it's got a killer recoil & muzzle blast. What's a nice lighter load to shoot with? Also what dies are good? Are Lee OK, that's what most of my others are. I'd prefer to neck-size only... are there dies in 7.62x54R that neck-size only?