7.62x54 bullets

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fleabaggins

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So I am considering reloading 7.62x54 ammo for my Russian Mosin. It is my first bolt gun, and I would like to try something other than FMJ or SP. I have read that there are two bullet sizes for 7.62x54 - .308" and .312". Mine, I am assuming, is the .312" as it is Russian and shoots factory ammo no problem. If I reload a .308" bullet (so I have HP. SST choices and so on) is that going to be a problem for my rifle to handle? Will it affect accuracy much?
The reloading books I have include both size bullets in the reloading data for 7.62x54.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike C
 
.303 projectiles work well in 54R (.311~.312) - many of them come in 150~200+gr range.

If you want lighter projectiles, 123gr 7.62x39 projectiles also work well. They are labeled .310 but every single ones I have measured .311.
 
>123gr 7.62x39 projectiles

An angle to consider is that the venerable 7.62x54R was (in my understanding) originally a 220(ish) gr round nose, which then became a pointy 170(ish) gr lead core (with a conical minnie-style depression in the back), which then became a pointy 170(ish) gr steel core boat tail. <- But I'm fuzzy on the chronology and look forward to learning more.

If you load it with 125gr lead core it will be physically smaller (lower weight and higher density) than the projectile the system was designed for. That means a shorter overall length for the finished ammunition, and possible feeding troubles.

Or not. My SVT didn't like it originally (but tolerates it now after some tweaking). Your Mosin may not care.
 
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