7.62X54R Loading Confirmation Needed

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Hello,

I will be loading the 7.62X54R round tomorrow. I would like a confirmation on this load-out please, for safety within max and mins

180 Grn Hornady SP bullet, IMR 4350, 47.0 Grns of powder, Winchester Large Rifle Primer, PRVI PARTISAN brass.

Is this a safe load? I have seen them as hot as 54.5 and as low as 42.5

Hogdon's sight lists minimum load of 51.0 Grains, but this seems excessive. Please confirm!

Yours,
Drachenblut
 
Rather than shopping around the internet for load data, it is prudent to procure a reloading manual which contains proven data from an authenticated source.

The Lyman manual is an excellent source, altho most serious reloaders have multiple manuals. Some manuals offer 7.62x54 data with .308 dia bullets, while others use .311 dia bullets. There are variations in bore diameter among the MN rifles. Most use a .311 bullet, however the M27 Finnish rifles work very well with .308 bullets. Safe loads depend on a number of variables, incl the rifle, case, primer, bullet, and propellant. The recommended practice is to develop loading data for your particular combination beginning at the starting load and working up in .5gr increments. In the interests of safety and case life it is wise to avoid max loads in old MILSURP rifles. Besides, best accuracy often comes with less than max loads.

Lyman data for the .311 180gr bullet using Norma brass and Federal LR primers and IMR4350 is a starting load of 47.5gr and a max load of 52.5gr. Sierra data for the .308 180gr bullet in Norma cases with a Rem 91/2 primer shows a starting load of 49.3gr and a max load of 53.6gr. Personal preference in a M27 Finnish rifle with 150-168 gr .308 bullets is IMR4320 in Lapua brass.
 
I never wanted to be the "buy a manual" guy but I think you should look around and pick one up. Search for one with x54r data in it like my Sierra manual and it will cover all the loads you want for x54r and .303 br like your other post.

Lots of the stuff on the web it sketchy, I wouldn't do brain surgery from something I found online and either one could kill you.

I am serious about my googling for everything I do, except when it could blow my face off.

Ryan.
 
The Lyman 49th manual has a wealth of information in it in regards to the x54r. I have loaded just under 700rds by using data from that manual.
 
180 Grn Hornady SP bullet, IMR 4350, 47.0 Grns of powder, Winchester Large Rifle Primer, PRVI PARTISAN brass.
Click to expand...

That is very close to my favorite load for my M39, only dif is H4350/50Gr.

A 180 grain Hornady will be .308" ( I wish they did make one in .312") so IMHO that is not an unreasonable place to start.

But do get a manual (cheap peace of mind) and do slug the bore on your rifle. Getting the right bullet to fit the hole makes a lot of difference at the range.
 
Did your slug your bore yet? My M44 has a .313 bore. Cast bullets will probably be the best solution for my 1944 Russian war horse. To get some brass I tried some 180gr Sellier & Bellot that measure .311 and groups were 3 to 4" & 50 meters.
 
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