Need Help Interpreting 7.62x54R results

bluemike807

bluemike807

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Sorry I dont have a pic (do have the target somewhere, will try to scan), but here's the story:

Worked up 20 rounds of 7.62x54R using a variant on "The Load" - see my other posts, which is essentially 14gr of Red Dot, with a CCI Primer, behind a 180grn .312 cast lead bullet, sized to .311 and gas checked, lubed with Lee Liquid ALOX. I dont think you could get a 'poorer' man's round.

Took it to the range with my Mosin Nagant M91/30 1942 Ishevsk, "Old Boris", who is ugly to look at but works like a charm.

Set up a target at 25yards. Didnt want to start further as when I had experimented with this load previously, I was seeing keyholing (at that time, was not using gas checks) [in fact, I tested this exact same load in .303 British minutes later and it did keyhole. Goddamned big Lee Enfield No4 Mk1 bore]

Let go three rounds, holding on the bullseye of a 11"square sighting in target, using the 100m sight.

All three rounds were within an inch (unprecedented for me, even at 25yards), but they were 7 inches low.

Ok, says I, and proceed to 'walk' shots in groups of three up the page, using 100 yard increments. It 'zeroed' at 650 m or so.

Ok, says I once more - since this is a low powered load, I obviously need to compensate for the much slower velocity (I would suppose around 1500fps - I hope to Chrony it soon).

I set my sights for 700 m and move my target out to 50yards. I then let go another three rounds in the same fashion.

Now they are high by as much as four inches.

WTF, says I. And then back down my sights, firing three-round groups, trying to figure it out. I dont get anything conclusive, and the groups were alot less coherent.

What is going on with this?
 
Sounds like you're lacking pressure. If you're wary of making a hotter load, the use of a chronograph will compare your bullet speed to your loading chart. Low speed means low pressure in this case. Although the two rifles have similar bores, does not mean they are the same. You may want to Slug the barrel to confirm your barrel diameter, and/or try your bullets at .312. Your Mosin may have more barrel wear or is simply larger that what you expecting it to be. Most reloading charts suggest a safe starting point in the middle, and if you load several more groups of five loads going up 1/2 grain increase at a time, you should see your patterns raise on the target. Be sure you are closely following recommended loading specs and weights.


Also, are the sights true on your Mosin when you shoot other loads or factory loads? My Mosin shoots 8 inches high without the bayonet on it.


Never mind the results of the two different types of rifles, I've had two identical rifles brand new out of the box that would shoot different and require each a different load. This is what reloading is all about, you are attempting to customize the optimum load for THAT rifle, not all of them.
 
fiddler said:
Never mind the results of the two different types of rifles, I've had two identical rifles brand new out of the box that would shoot different and require each a different load. This is what reloading is all about, you are attempting to customize the optimum load for THAT rifle, not all of them.
Click to expand...

Im not too concerned about the .303 at this point. Im writing it off as too small a bullet.

One thing Im wondering is - the charges are very small, volume-wise. They barely fill 1/3 of the case. Im not putting in any filler, could this help?
 
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