Need some help with the 7.62x54R

[goon]

Well I got my .303 and 7.62x54 dies the other day. I already loaded up my first batch of .303. I am using a 180 grain Speer round nose SP, once fired Wichester case, CCI BR Large rifle primer, and 41.6 grains of Win 760 (about a half a grain above the minimum and where my powder measure happened to fall. I figure it is close enough to start with.)

Anyhow, I don't have any data for the 7.62x54 in my Speer manual. I have a Lyman 47th edition that has some data for the '54R, but it doesn't have specific manufacturers or OAL lengths. I bought it before I really knew what the hell I was doing, but I now feel that not having these details limits its usefulness.
Anyhow, can anyone advise me on what reloading manual I should buy to educate me on the 7.62x54?

Also, I have some Win 748 and 760 now and I have also used IMR 4320. Are any of these suitable powders for the '54R? I would really like to have a ball type powder for this round because ball powder runs best through my Lyman powder measure (although the 4320 isn't too bad now that I figured out how to adjust the measure to compensate for it.)
Can anyone advise me on some good powders to try with it?

Aw, hell. Just basically give any advice you can on reloading for the Mosin Nagant.

 

[ocabj]

http://www.ocabj.net/762x54r_data/

I found these pages/images on another site awhile back so I did a wget on the site to archive them for my own use.

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. The source of the data in these pages is not known so the data may not be safe.

That said, I used the data in the pages that I archived for loading the Sierra 165gr and Sierra 168gr bullets.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

All usual disclaimers apply. I am quoting directly from the manuals.

All loads for 180gr jacketed bullet

From the Lee Manual
Win760 42.9gr to 47gr 2537fps
Win748 37.6gr to 41.4gr 2410fps

Third Editon Hornady Manual circa 1985
IMR 4320 41.5gr to 50gr 2700fps
Win760 48.3gr to 55.5gr 2700fps

44th Editon Lyman Manual circa 1965
IMR 4320 45gr to 50gr 2724fps

Don't know why the Lee Manual has such wimpy loads. Lee usually has the mega-hot loads.

Good Luck

 

[Okiecruffler]

As always use and load with caution

I've been loading Sierra .311 180gr SP's with 41-48 gr of IMR 4320. Best accuracy in my favorite M44 has come from 43.5gr of powder. I'd start lower than that, there's alot of variation in these older rifles.

 

[steelhead]

You might want to pick up the latest Hornady book as it has load data for 7 different bullet weights (110 - 220gr).

 

[Clark]

Steve has a table of loads:
http://stevespages.com/310_2_180.html

W760 is the same as H414, and Hodgdon lists more powder:
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/7.62x54r.php

I personally use 47 gr IMR4895 with 180 gr Sierra.

 

[goon]

Thanks guys.
I still need to get a .308 expander (the '54R dies were supposed to have one with them but they don't).

Clark - when you say that H414 is the same as 760, do you mean that it is actually the same powder in a different container?
Is there a similar thing with 748?
Both 748 and 760 are very difficult to get your hands on in these parts so it would be good to be able to get a substitute.

 

[Clark]

Clark - when you say that H414 is the same as 760, do you mean that it is actually the same powder in a different container?

Quickload thinks there should be 2% more H414 in a 7.62x54R 180 gr load than a W760 load.

I have seen powder idenities on the internet, but the only one I have verified with look, smell, density, and pressure test is AA#9 = Enforcer:


Herter's 164 = Nobel 64

HS-6 = W540= True Blue [HS7 = W571]

Enforcer = AA#9 =H108 = WC820

H110 = W296

RL-15 = varget?

H4831SC = ~ AA3100

Winchester/Hodgdon
W231 / HP38 = Ramshot Zip
W540 / HS6 =True Blue
W571 / HS7
W296 / H110
W760 / H414
W785 / H450 (both obsolete)
WAP = Ramshot Silhouette

Accurate Arms AA#9 = Ramshot = Enforcer= W820 = H108

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

The lee manual has load data for this cartridge.