Yugo 7.62X54

[Red_SC]

I did a search on this, and didn't come up with much. I got a Mosin several months back in extremely good condition, and haven't put any rounds downrange with it yet. I was flipping through Sportsmans Guide and ran across this ammo, $59.97 for 450 rounds:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=195727

It's brass cased, non-corrosive (supposedly), 182 gr. FMJ surplus, but it doesn't say the country of origin, only M30. A little tracking down, and it appears to be Yugoslavian ammo. I also found what looks like the same stuff at Wideners here.

The idea of having a brass case appeals to me, even though it's not reloadable, but I don't want to buy it it it's junk, and I can't find anywhere that says whether it's decent or not. I've heard the heavier bullets do better in them, too. Anybody know whether this ammo is worth it?

 

[Cacique500]

That's some great ammo, though a little expensive.

You can go to http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmo.htm for an excellent rundown of 7.62x54R ammo.

You may want to take a look at the Polish 147 grain...a little less kick than the 180 grain and is copper washed steel so no laquer sticking problems. It can be found at AimSurplus and AmmunitionStore very cheap, like $33/440 round tin. Runs super out of my M-39's.

Good luck with it!

 

[TheEgg]

I just assume that ANY surplus 7.62X54R ammo is corrosive and clean accordingly. No surprises that way.

 

[DMK]

The Yugo is very good ammo. It shoots very consistantly for me in my M39s. And yes it is corrosive. Don't believe the ads for milsurp ammo when they say non-corrosive.

I've heard the heavier bullets do better in them, too. Anybody know whether this ammo is worth it?

That varies from rifle to rifle. Some of my Mosins shoot better with the light ball stuff, some shoot better with the heavy ball stuff. Each of my Mosins has a preference so I stocked up different weights of 54R from quite a few different countries.

With carbines, I always prefer the light ball stuff like Cacique500 mentioned. It kicks less and it shoots to a lower POI. (some of these rifles tend to shoot high)

 

[Red_SC]

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. I may order some of the Yugo stuff next, but as Cacique500 suggested, I think I'm about to put in a call to AIM for a can of Polish light ball and a can of Hungarian heavy ball.

I already have some Graf brass on the way from my uncle, and I'm going to try some 180 gr. Gamekings over Varget, at his suggestion. That should fill the need if I decide to carry it into the woods.

Good shooting!

 

[Cacique500]

Let us know how it shoots for you. We've got a gunshow in Richmond tomorrow and I'm going to pick up another case or two of the Polish. Just gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling when I get it home and stack the crates on top of each other

By the way, anybody know what the recommended 'do not exceed' load is for a wooden 2nd story floor?

 

[Red_SC]

Will do. It's funny, the order has been in for what, almost two hours now, and I'm already wishing it would hurry up and get here. I didn't know about the gun show in Richmond- I keep meaning to get up there to go to it. I have an uncle that lives not too far from there (the same uncle I got this rifle from), and I keep saying I'm going to go visit him on a gun show weekend. The ones around here are practically worthless.

And, don't worry about the weight on the floor, they're rated for 50 pounds more than whatever you have on it. Trust me, I'm an Internet armchair expert.
I just feel sorry for the fireman who's trying to drag you out as the second story floor is burning over his head.

 

[possum]

The egg, i agree all of my old mausers and such i clean like i shot corrosive through it or not because it might say it isn't but i don't believe everything I read. unless i know for sure that it is non corrosive. i can't wait to try that new wolf 8mm ammo that is brass cased and reloadable.

 

[DMK]

I already have some Graf brass on the way from my uncle, and I'm going to try some 180 gr. Gamekings over Varget, at his suggestion.

Just keep in mind Mosin Nagants don't have a .308 bore like 7.62x51 or 30.06, but a .311 bore. Sometimes they are even looser. Take a look at the link Cacique500 posted. Most of the bores tested there slugged to .312 and .313.

 

[Red_SC]

Right. Sierra makes a Gameking that's .311, and is designed for 7.62X54R's and .303 Brits. That's the bullet that I'm getting. I have a couple of .303's, too. Thanks for the heads-up, though.

I've got you on cleaning after them, too. Both of my younger brothers have Mosins, and one of them learned the hard way when he didn't clean after shooting "non-corrosive" surplus. I'll be sure to Windex it down afterwards.

It looks like it will be a fun gun, though. It's nice to be buying rifle ammo for about the price I'd expect to pay for pistol ammo.

 

[DMK]

Sierra makes a Gameking that's .311, and is designed for 7.62X54R's and .303 Brits. That's the bullet that I'm getting. I have a couple of .303's, too.

Ah! Thank you for the heads up. I've been considering reloading some ammo to feed my Enfields.

It looks like it will be a fun gun, though. It's nice to be buying rifle ammo for about the price I'd expect to pay for pistol ammo.

Yes, that is one of the beautiful things about Mosins. They are extremely cheap to feed. A rare thing for such a powerful gun.

What kind of Mosin do you have BTW?

 

[Red_SC]

Another question, I know different factory bullets will be a slightly different diameter. My uncle said that the Gameking miked the largest out of the bullets that he's tried, but I don't know which ones he's used. If the barrel is oversized a little- and I know one of my .303's is- the thickest bullet I can find would be best. Has anyone ever measured any of the others?

 

[Red_SC]

What kind of Mosin do you have BTW?

Hah! I know someone would ask. To be honest, I'm not sure. I think it's a M39, it's the longer one. It's an inch or so longer than one of my brothers' guns, I haven't compared it to the other one. I'll try to take some pics and post them Monday. I just moved, and don't have internet access at home yet. The rifle is in very good shape, the finish is good on the stock, and the metal is pretty much perfect. It's one of the best looking Mosins I've seen.

On that note, I like scopes, and I'd like to mount one on this rifle, at least to work up a load and maybe hunt some with. I know you have to notch the left side of the wood a little to clear the scope mount, but I could get around that by getting one of those cheap synthetic stocks. Is there anywhere I could get another bolt so I don't have to mess this one up by turning down the handle? I sporterized my first .303 when I was a teen, and now I regret it. They were just as plentiful as the Mosins are now, and I don't want to make the same mistake twice.

 

[Red_SC]

My rifle is a Russian 91-30 (sorry for the typo above), I took a picture of it last night, I'll try to post it tomorrow. Yesterday I got in the mail a case of Polish light ball and Hungarian heavy ball. I was surprised what a small box 880 rounds can fit in- man, that's a lot of ammo in a small can. My uncle also sent me 50 rounds of Graf brass, around 20 rounds of Lapua brass, and a couple of boxes of Wolf 200gr ammo. The Sierra bullets are on the way, but haven't made it yet. Can't wait to see what it will do Saturday!

I pulled one round each of the Polish and Hungarian ball. I expected the crimp to make it hard to pull them, but two raps apiece with an inertia puller had them disassembled with no problem. They're both boattails, but the Polish bullet seemed better made. Here's what I found:

Polish:
Bullet weighed 147.5 gr.
Sealant on primer and neck
greenish powder like a modern coated powder, like Varget

Hungarian:
Bullet weighed 178 gr
No sealant on primer or neck
black looking powder

Has anyone ever tried making Mexican Match out of these? It's pretty common with .308, but I don't know about these. I'm thinking about pulling the bullets on some of the Hungarian rounds and working up a load using the old powder and a good hunting bullet like the Sierra Pro Hunter. I'm sure I'd have to back off the powder charge a bit because of the longer bearing surface of the bullet. Has anybody had any success with this? It would be a good way to get some cheap hunting ammo without a lot of resizing / case prep hassle.

 

[mandrake]

The rifle is only as accurate as the ammo, and shooter.

Why even use corrosive ammo? (I know that it is hard to argue with surplus going so low price wise).

Have a beater, 1942 VKT, M39 that never ceases to amaze me. Have several more less accurate Russian Mosins. Bore diameters vary in them.

My pet reload for all of my Mosins:

-Laupa 7.62X53 brass
-Winchester LR primers
-Sierra 174 grain, .311" diameter, BTHP Match King bullets
-50 grains IMR/Hogdon 4350 powder
-O.A.L. = 3"
-put a slight crimp

I can get consistant grouping with this load on an M44, with a 16&1/2" barrel.

 

[Cacique500]

What's your cost/round to reload the 7.62x54R?

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I just assume that ANY surplus 7.62X54R ammo is corrosive and clean accordingly. No surprises that way.

Worth repeating. It's not like cleaning a bolt action rifle after shooting corrosive ammo is that big a deal. Just run a few patches with something containing water through the bore, dry, then clean with Hoppe's No.9 or whatever.

 

[mandrake]

Geesh!! Calque, if I ever stopped to figure the cost per round, with a value on my time involved, I may go into shock!

Powder itself has has gone up in price. Then there are the extra shipping fees, hazmat fees etc.

I do enjoy it. Don't get me wrong I have plenty of Czech silver tip, and Wolf 200 grain SP that I purchased from J&G last year for plinking.

For real accuracy, I reload. My rational being --Mass manufactured ammo has to be more lawyer proof than accurate, (meaning smaller diameter bullets, and very light powder loads). Kinda like the heavy set triggers that come on new rifles.

Also, I can work up loads to custom fit the rifle. Especially the Mosins with their different size bores, as they are my favorite iron sight rifles.

It's a good feeling to out shoot an expensive new rifle with one of these $40 to $150 dollar rifles. Many people snear at the older Russian rifles, because of the varing bore diameters giving poor accuracy due to small diameter bullets.

I can really draw attention with the M44 with the shortened 16&1/2" barrel. Have to be careful not to start fires.

 

[Cacique500]

I was just curious what it ran...I reload for .45 now but I haven't done any rifle rounds yet. Just preparing for the day when the dirt cheap com-bloc ammo is all gone!