7.62 x 25 Tokarev

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FreeLance

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Hi guys.

I can't find a thread about this caliber in the reloading forum so I think I'll start a discussion about it...

I recently started reloading for my Tokarev TT33 pistols. I am using Starline brass and Remington 1½ SP primers. I've got 85 gr. Sierra Sportsmasters and 90 gr. Hornady XTP (the 31,000 sku ones, not the soft point RN ones, those are 3,100s) First tests are using Red Dot powder and Accurate #7 powder. I crimp them using a Lee die for this caliber.

So far, testing with the Sierra bullets is going very well, no ftf, ftc or anything, no signs of over or under pressure through the ranges, following the Lyman 49 recipe for Red Dot and the recipe given to me by Ramshot for the Accurate #7. ( !! ) :)

....but.... before I started, I made up dummy rounds to check clearances and cycling through the gun for the COL I was going to use. And I found that the Hornady 90 grain bullets won't cycle through either of my Tokarevs until the bullet COL is down to 1.250" or so. At 1.255" and above, they consistently jam on the feed ramp, but at 1.249" they are cycling very consistently. But... this is below what I have been reading should be considered a min COL for this bullet... that pressures might get too high if the COL is shortened too far. Looking at many bullet recipes, it seems like the COL specified varies from bullet to bullet but never gets below 1.290" and from one Lee source, it specifies a minimum COL of 1.316" to 1.325" for various bullets.

But I've read in several forums of people using these bullets in Tok TT33s, and having few problems cycling them. All old posts, so I won't resurrect those now.

Is anyone else reloading for this caliber? Any insight/information to share? I've done a lot of reading about this caliber, but there's not a lot about specifics that come from experiences.

-Frank​
 
Thanks Mobular :)

No idea how I couldn't find that thread before, it should be very useful. I think I'll move further conversation onto that thread, it's not that old and I'd like to keep information about a particular topic contained in one place as a reference for others, and that one's right on topic.

BTW... it's not the soft points I'm having trouble cycling... it's Hornady's Hollow Points.. the 90 grain 31000s. :)

Thanks again!

Frank​
 
I just started loading for this round two days ago. I'm using the Lee dies myself. My huge issue is this: the seater die will not allow the bullet to push in straight. I'm using the 86 gr Hornaday softpoints from Budget Shooter Supply. Every last one goes in crooked. Freelance, are you having this trouble with the Lee dies, or am I just cursed here? (I managed to get them in straight, but not with the seater die)

BTW, I'll be trying Bullseye powder tomorrow. I'll post my loads and findings here for you tomorrow night.
 
Mkrainc, I was having the exact same issue with the same bullets. I solved it by making sure the necks were sufficiently chamfered and then expanded. Load the round and then crimp. It may take a while to get the routine and nuances down but it will work out.
 
trial and error

Mobular said:
Mkrainc, I was having the exact same issue with the same bullets. I solved it by making sure the necks were sufficiently chamfered and then expanded. Load the round and then crimp. It may take a while to get the routine and nuances down but it will work out.
Click to expand...

Like you guys, I too experienced crooked bullet seating when using the
Hornady 86 gr SPRN's. You may have to adjust your expander die to
open up the case mouth a little more than usual, like what Mobular said.

Also, ensure your press operation is square and that everything lines up the way it should.
I bought an old style Lee turret press off the EE and it doesn't
index properly and was a little out of alignment also. Had to *ahem*
make some adjustments to it... now it co-operates with me!
 
Thank you guys for that input, I wll try out the recomendations with my seater die and brass.

I promised a report on using the bullseye powder in my starline brass. I loaded up two batches. One with 5.0 grains and one with 5.6 grains. Of course the 5.6 was a little snappier, but still slightly less than the milsurp. More accurate due to the Hornaday's being .308 in diameter as opposed to the milsurp measuring at .305.

I found I could aim straight at the targets with my loads, but the surplus was hitting low and to the left.

I'm thinking of trying 110 grain bullets. I welcome any thoughts or input on this idea.
 
we've forgotten to mention that you should slug the bore on your
TT-33 to be certain. my '47 Tula was near mint when I bought it
and turned out to be a true .308 bore. any bullets with a diameter of .308 -
.310 give good results, working up the powder charge slowly too.

also, are your sights dead on, not beaten up at all?
imagine them off a hair- could make your loads seem less accurate.
 
zippy_the_wonder_chimp said:
also, are your sights dead on, not beaten up at all?
imagine them off a hair- could make your loads seem less accurate.
Click to expand...

My loads are the accurate ones. It's the milsurp thats off. My sights are good, and dead on. I didn't slug the barrel, but I did measure the bore with my calipers. It measured .308 exactly.

I was looking in Henry's site again, and I see he has some 100 grain bullets in .308. I've seen load data for both 100 and 110 grain bullets for this round. I'll try looking it up again.

Thanks Zippy, I was thing of picking up some Unique anyway.
 
mkrainc: my lee flaring tool was doing a terrible job(off-centre, even after polishing rough surface on lathe). My 87 gr lead bullets usually seated crooked. Solved problem by using lyman m die to expand and flare. good luck
 
I had been having trouble getting my 1952 to group, and figured out why after slugging my bore: .313"! I've since loaded up some 71gr .32ACP bullets on top of 5.6 gr of bullseye to MUCH better effect. Nice muzzle flash too.
 
Lexthedestroyer said:
I had been having trouble getting my 1952 to group, and figured out why after slugging my bore: .313"! I've since loaded up some 71gr .32ACP bullets on top of 5.6 gr of bullseye to MUCH better effect. Nice muzzle flash too.
Click to expand...

Nice. Yeah, slightly undersize bullets aren't great for accuracy.
Prolly explains why Czech surplus ammo doesn't group that well.
That and maybe not the best quality control on powder charges
per case either.
 
zippy_the_wonder_chimp said:
I've only used Unique powder in my x25 loads so far.
With 110 grain Berry's plated bullets (both .308 and .310)
I went to 6.2gr with no signs of pressure and decent accuracy.
(Starline brass and Winchester primers)
Click to expand...

I'm resurrecting this useful thread to ask what your OAL is for the 110gr Berry's? I've only seen an OAL of 1.345 mentioned for this bullet, and my first dummy round is dropping free from the barrel at 1.350. Seems to feed well from the mag, too. Should I shorten it up or leave it alone?
 
With these surplus TT-33 pistols (like most wartime firearms), every chamber is going to be a little different.
If 1.350" OAL is working for you on a dummy round, I'd say make up 3-5 test rounds with a starting powder charge
and then up the dose if they feed well and/or are too weak to cycle properly.
 
I have a 1911 in 7.62x25 that I load for. It is very accurate with the 100 gr Hornady, the 110 plated M1 Carbine bullet and the 86 gr lead SWC made for the 32 target pistol. I get them from Bullet Barn, sized .309. I use 7625 for powder (similar in speed to Unique).

I think Bullseye would be an inappropriate choice. Too fast.
 
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