7.62x54R project

[7.62Man]

I have been busy building myself a scout rifle this winter out of a M38 mosin nagant. The bore is clean and was slugged at .311.

I want to load up some "match grade" 7.62x54R ammo. I plan on using sierra matchking .311 @ 174 grain bullets. The cases are Sellier and Bellot brass that are form fired and neck sized only (unfortunatly this is done with a classic lee loader as I can not find a collet dies in this size) rest of loading is done on a press. The powder I have chosen is Hodgdon's Varget starting at 44.5 grains and slowly working my way to around 46 grains (max). That should give me a starting FPS of 2780.

My question has anyone else tried making a "match grade" round for the 7.62x54R? If so what do they use?

 

[slicknick]

Most seem to centre around sierra's 180gr Matchking in .312 diameter. There was a good write up in the last Surplus magazine put out by Guns & Ammo

 

[eltorro]

I have the feeling that there is nobody selling that magazine in my area anymore. Any leads to where I might find the article? Anyone that can buy it for me and I'll pay for the trouble? I must emigrate west... Southern Ontario is killing me

 

[PeterPan]

7.62man,
I wouldn't tried .303/7.7 (311"), but have good results with .308" 155gr Palma or even 168gr Match King.
Groups with iron sights around 2", 5x at 100yr.
Powder I use is IMR4064 anything around 47.5-48.0