7.62x54r loads

H Wally

H Wally

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Heyo - so none of my reloading books give much info on the 7.62x54R cartridge, but I've been looking around on the net and have settled on this for a rough load for my 91/30.

150 grn bullet, .311

IMR 4350 - 52grns

I was told this was the approximate load for the mosin in WW2, however I'm pretty skeptical of the source. Any opinions? Of course, I know I'll have to tweek, but I've got 40 rds of that load done and thought I'd double check with you guys.
 
I load for my mosin, also have a 91/30. It sounds about right, but I use varget. As for it being the "original" load, good luck. The "original" load was a military powder in a factory long since demolished made to a formula long since forgotten, formulated by a man whose bones have long since turned to dust in his grave.

Remember that the 762russ is the oldest military rifle cartridge still in common usage today.

We just use what we've got.

Hogdon has a number of loads in it's online reloading data center, free to use, but it only lists hogdon powders.
 
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Hope this helps.

According to Lyman's historical note on the Mosin Nagant rifle, 150 gr bullets were standardized in 1909 with a velocity of 2600fps. Supposedly the distance adjustable rear sight is calibrated to this velocity.

To recreate this load, I use Hornady's .312 303 cal 150 gr SP bullets. I experimented with 2 different brand of cases - Graf & Igman. Powder used is Hodgdon H-335 tested with 43 - 45 grains at .2 grains increments. With both shells I seated the bullet with only half the cannalure resessed.

The test date of the loads was April 12, 2008 -- Cool Spring day temperature at 12C. Results:

Shell, grains of H335, 5 shot average velocity
Graf, 44.8 grains, 2596 fps.
Igman, 44.6 grains, 2621 fps.

Tested again in May 17, 2008 temperature at 22C:

Shell, grains of H335, 5 shot average velocity
Graf, 44.8 grains, 2665 fps.
Igman, 44.6 grains, 2693 fps.

Although I have not tested so, Varget could be a better powder if stability of temperature is required. The downside is that it requires in the neighbourhood of 50+ grains to be used.

Judging by the data from this experiment, 52 gr of IMR 4350 could be pushing it slightly faster than 2600 fps given the same temperature at 12C. Only a chronograph could tell. It's so cold out there it might just be right.

Please enlighten us with your results too.
 
IMR4350 will work, but is not a great choice for the 150 gr bullet - too slow. Even a full case (55-56 grs) will not give anywhere near top velocities, but might get you the 2600 fps you seek. You could use 10-15% less of something like Varget, IMR4895 or H335 and get a more consistent burn and the same performance. I'd save the 4350 for the 180gr+ bullets.

H Wally said:
Heyo - so none of my reloading books give much info on the 7.62x54R cartridge, but I've been looking around on the net and have settled on this for a rough load for my 91/30.

150 grn bullet, .311

IMR 4350 - 52grns

I was told this was the approximate load for the mosin in WW2, however I'm pretty skeptical of the source. Any opinions? Of course, I know I'll have to tweek, but I've got 40 rds of that load done and thought I'd double check with you guys.
Click to expand...
 
Andy said:
IMR4350 will work, but is not a great choice for the 150 gr bullet - too slow. Even a full case (55-56 grs) will not give anywhere near top velocities, but might get you the 2600 fps you seek. You could use 10-15% less of something like Varget, IMR4895 or H335 and get a more consistent burn and the same performance. I'd save the 4350 for the 180gr+ bullets.
Click to expand...

As you can tell - I'm quite new to reloading... in fact, this was my first batch:D

Anyways - found a load for IMR 4895, suggests 51.2 grns, under a 150grn bullet which pushes the fps up to about 3110.

Now, from what I understand, reducing a load too far can also be dangerous, and that site does not mention if that is max or minimum load. Would reducing it to 45grns or so (10% of the mentioned faster burning load) be safe in your opinion? Ideally I'd like a powder that burns right that fills the case up to just below the seated bullet (52 grains just about does it, I suspect 54-55 would, if it were the appropriate powder).
 
H Wally said:
As you can tell - I'm quite new to reloading... in fact, this was my first batch:D

Anyways - found a load for IMR 4895, suggests 51.2 grns, under a 150grn bullet which pushes the fps up to about 3110.

Now, from what I understand, reducing a load too far can also be dangerous, and that site does not mention if that is max or minimum load. Would reducing it to 45grns or so (10% of the mentioned faster burning load) be safe in your opinion? Ideally I'd like a powder that burns right that fills the case up to just below the seated bullet (52 grains just about does it, I suspect 54-55 would, if it were the appropriate powder).
Click to expand...

That velocity is either wrong, or that load is smoking hot. To get 3100 fps is beyond what a .30-06 normally can safely drive 150's to, let alone a much smaller capacity 7.62X54R.
 
I was thinking the same thing, but I don't know how fast imr 4895 burns, so theoretically if it was a much faster powder than imr 4350, and the action could handle it, the equal amount of powder could generate impressive power.

Then again, someone could have just been feeding numbers into a ballistics generator and suggesting them on the net:runaway:
 
Yeah but the bbl on the mn is 28" or so, and damn near 30 on my 91. I know in my 91 that its slightly over 3000fps with 50 grains of varget, and deadly accurate, allso makes a mess out of coyotes. The brass shows no signs of pressure, and have yet to wear any out, though I think I am only on my 6 or 7th loading.

For a realy smoking load that just vaporizes racoons ect try a hornady .312" 100grain xtp.
 
Back with a new load that seems to work - .311 174gr hornady core bonded soft nose, 49 grains of imr 4350. Haven't pushed these heavier bullets faster, but this should be somewhere in the vicinity of 2550 fps, and seems to group well.

Had to switch from 150 gr to 174 because I ran out and 174 was all that anyone stocked!!! Now I have to resight my scope!
 
H Wally said:
Heyo - so none of my reloading books give much info on the 7.62x54R cartridge, but I've been looking around on the net and have settled on this for a rough load for my 91/30.

150 grn bullet, .311

IMR 4350 - 52grns

I was told this was the approximate load for the mosin in WW2, however I'm pretty skeptical of the source. Any opinions? Of course, I know I'll have to tweek, but I've got 40 rds of that load done and thought I'd double check with you guys.
Click to expand...

Lee's book has 10 loads with
BL-C 52-55
Varget 47-50.5
H4895 46-49.5
H335 46-49.5
N140 40.6-48.5
N135 37.9-46.4
XMR4350 48.6-54
N133 32.3-43
XMR3100 49.5-55
Accur 8700 52.2-58
make your pick
 
I found the 52grns of imr4350 was quite accurate in my gun. Didn't try out past 200m though, and mainly shot from sitting, never truly benched it.

I'm hoping that I won't have to make too many adjustments with the 174 gr bullets. Fairly sure they'll be travelling far slower though. Need to get another gun so I don't have to keep switching my scope settings up!!!
 
Big JD-From the hills said:
Yeah but the bbl on the mn is 28" or so, and damn near 30 on my 91. I know in my 91 that its slightly over 3000fps with 50 grains of varget, and deadly accurate, allso makes a mess out of coyotes. The brass shows no signs of pressure, and have yet to wear any out, though I think I am only on my 6 or 7th loading.

For a realy smoking load that just vaporizes racoons ect try a hornady .312" 100grain xtp.
Click to expand...

Vaporize is a very accurate description of the 100 gr. XTPs. I hit a gopher with one at about 50 yards and all that was left was a cloud of red mist over a few torn pieces of gopher pelt. I was using 50 gr. of H4895. I also loaded the same bullet with 13.5 gr. of Red Dot - very pleasant and surprisingly (for me) - accurate. That was at 100 yards mind you.
 
I don't know where you got the load data for your 150 gr. IMR 4895 from, but that sounds way too hot. Checking all my manuals show about 47.5gr.max of IMR 4895 with a 150 gr. bullet for a speed of around 2750fps. Now your 174 gr. load seems to be in line with my manuals so you should be OK.
 
The bests grouping and easiest shooting load for my m39 is 50 grains of H4350 behind a 180 grain round nose. In my M44 I have been using 48 grains of H4350 behind the Hornady 174's but have recently switched to 43 grains of Varget with the 174's as it is more accurate in my rifle.
 
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