swapping bullets

jongun

jongun

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Was wanting to swap out the bullets from the surplus 7.62x54 I have and replace with lighter 150gn lead core bullets. My question is would it be safe to reuse the powder weighing it out to the same weight one would use using modern powder? Or possibly decrease the amount of powder by the same percentage that I am decreasing the bullet weight?

I've tried researching this but could not come up with the exact answer to my question so anyone with experience in the matter your wisdom would be very much appreciated.
 
What you describe is done all the time.

Dump 10 cases of powder in your scale pan and divide the result by 10. That is the average weight.

Collect all the powder and re-throw it to that average weight.

If your ammo has the 147 gr bullet, then just go with the same powder charge if you load the 150. If your old bullet was the heavy bullet (196, i think, then add 2 more grains to what you re-throw.)

One thing I do when making match ammo or hunting ammo from milsurp is re size the neck. I do this with the decapper removed, so the result is a very tight neck. Seem to help.
 
charles u farley said:
Careful, it's heavier bullet less powder. Lighter bullet more powder.
Have a look at reloading manual data to back this up.
Click to expand...

True buddy completely forgot about that thanks for reminding me:redface: remember the first time I realized that I was kind of surprised but after all it does make sense.So actually checked out the weight of the pulled bullets and they are the lighter 147gn so looks like I should be good to simply seat a new bullet on top of the original powder charge :) Thanks fellas.
 
rodregier said:
Google "mexican match reloading"

7.62x54R thread on same:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403187
Click to expand...

Thanks Rod. Had already read that among others but was thinking the bullets I was loading were lighter and as it turns out are close enough to the original weight that I can just swap out bullets and be fine.Actually weighed the original powder and its exactly the same as Lee's recommended starting weight for that weight class of bullet.So now I have some rounds loaded with the original powder charge and the 150gn bullets as well as some loaded with same charge weight using H4895. Also put together a few rounds using even lighter 123gn bullets. Off to the range this morning to see how my Mosin likes these different rounds and will report back with my findings.
 
Did the Mexican Match on some Bulgarian 54r brass case 147 gr. FMJ ammo many years go to make some hunting ammo when none was readily available with excellent results. My Mosin M44 bore measures .312 across the grooves.

I basically weighed out a random number of powder charges form the lot I reloaded,averaged out the factory charges and reduced the charge by two full grains and worked the load back up for best accuracy using a Speer .311 150 gr. SP bullets. The Sierra 125 gr. .311 bullets are a nice substitute as well.

I neck sized the case,reseated the bullet to the manuals suggested OAL.

Primers with surplus factory ammo.
Ammo007.jpg


Primers after reducing load and using commercial 150 gr. bullet.
Ammo008-1.jpg


Mexican Matched ammo.
Picture003.jpg
 
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So results are in and looks like the winner is the Sierra 150gn .311 Spitzer over 46gn of H4895 with a ten shot group of 2.2". Then the Speer 123gn .310 hot-cor SP over 50gn of surplus powder with a five shot group of 2.9". Biggest group came from the Sierra 150gn .311 Spitzer over the original surplus charge with a ten shot group of 3.5". All groups fired from my 1936 Tula Mosin at a mere 25 yards. All the cases were inspected after firing and everything looks to be safe and sound. Think now I'll be working on the winner by adding more powder(was at minimum)and adjusting OAL as well possibly playing around a little with the light 123grainers to see if I can tighten up those groups.

Good to hear of your success SKS50 :)
 
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