Ive recently pulled down some 1952 head stamped hungarian heavy ball 7.62x54R. I'm using the projectiles for a new Arisaka t-99 Ive acquired. Ive seen forums where individuals have used the pull down powder out of surplus rounds. This particular powder in clean looking, stick powder that looks a lot like IMR 4350 and smells about the same. Has anyone had any experience with such powder? Assuming the Arisaka round uses a similar weight round and has more case capacity I'm wondering how safe the 47.2 gr powder charge would be.
Pull down 7.62x54r powder
- Thread starter Visionz45
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NCsmitty
Member
It's probably not a good idea to use the surplus powder to load your 7.7. You can only speculate on the burning properties of the Russian powder. It's a good way to ruin your day. Even experts cannot tell what the powder is that's used in the 7.62x54R.
I know that I wouldn't start off with the full charge.
NCsmitty
I know that I wouldn't start off with the full charge.
NCsmitty
Linear Thinker
Member
Please don't re-use the 58-year old powder of uncertain origin, condition and burning rate. Your eyes and nose are not the right tools to evaluate it. Unless you pull down lots of it, and have a Universal receiver to get the pressure curves - dump it. It makes a great lawn fertilizer.
Powder costs are trivial compared to the risks.
The 7.62 Russian bullets are the right diameter (but worth checking with a micrometer) for 7.7mm Arisaka. I used to load for T99 with pulled .303 Brit bullets and IMR4895 a long time ago, but misplaced the notes and cannot share the load.
LT
Powder costs are trivial compared to the risks.
The 7.62 Russian bullets are the right diameter (but worth checking with a micrometer) for 7.7mm Arisaka. I used to load for T99 with pulled .303 Brit bullets and IMR4895 a long time ago, but misplaced the notes and cannot share the load.
LT
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Well if it smells the same.......
Don't reuse it unless you are reloading same cartridge with same projectiles. The only advantage I can see is a more accurate or consistant powder charge.
One problem makes it not worth it in my book.
Don't reuse it unless you are reloading same cartridge with same projectiles. The only advantage I can see is a more accurate or consistant powder charge.
One problem makes it not worth it in my book.
Thanks for the input guys. Don't get me wrong by my sight and smell analysis. I'm pretty sure that would have gotten my an F in science class if I tried to use that test. I guess we'll see just how great of fertilizer this stuff is.
creepiE
Member
Would it be more profitable to sell the ammo as-is, and then buy new factory loads?
sonick808
Member
even with a GC/MS and a complete chemistry lab, i still would be afraid to load with powder of unknown origin
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