7.62x54R surplus reloaded

flying pig

flying pig

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So, I bought a Mosin PU a few weeks ago and have decided to reload for it. Picked up a set of dies from a member here, and a hundred PRVI brass to start with.

I have access to surplus 7.62x54 still, and have decided to re load it to tighter tolerances in modern cases with non corrosive primers and see how it performs.

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To start, I broke down 20 Russian surplus 147gr light ball cartridges, weighed the projectiles, powder charge, measured bullet diameter and cartridge overall lengths and averaged them to come up with a load using the powder and bullets. I came up with a COAL of 3.010” and a charge weight averaged at 50.0gr of the surplus powder.

The bullet size and weight, as well as the powder charge varied a lot as can be seen in this table:

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I’ve also decided to try CamPro 147gr .308 fmj bullets with the same 50gr load. The bullets are about 0.002” smaller diameter, but utilize an open base like the Russian bullets do. They are about 0.110” shorter in length but are the same length behind the cannelure, so they will be loaded to the same depth on the cannelure as the Russians loaded theirs.

Off to the range tomorrow to try them! IMG_3425.jpeg
Cheap back in 2013 eh?

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Ready to go! Range trip tomorrow to see how they perform…
 
Irons78 said:
Pull the surplus projectiles on 20 cartridges, throw them in the closest trash bin, and re-seat with Speer Hot-Cor 150gr 303 bullets (0.311" diameter) and be prepared for a nice surprise.
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I like that idea too. I’ve got about 50 150gr flat based bullets I was going to save for coyotes and wolves here.

The surplus bullets actually work really well in my 303s as well, crazy considering they are clearly around .308”
 
flying pig said:
I like that idea too. I’ve got about 50 150gr flat based bullets I was going to save for coyotes and wolves here.

The surplus bullets actually work really well in my 303s as well, crazy considering they are clearly around .308”
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It will be interesting to see how those 308 campros do in your PU....my gut feeling is the groups will be disappointing. But - military surplus rifles work in strange and mysterious ways as you've experienced!

I did a test a few years back with a run of the mill 91/30 that grouped OK at around 75 yards with Russian surplus. I was shooting seated, using a front rest and a shoulder rest to take as much of my error out of the equation as possible. I pulled 20 surplus bullets, measured the powder charge per case (median was 50.1 IIRC) and I reloaded each steel case to 50.1 using a tuned Ohaus 10-10 scale, and then seated 311 Speers to identical depth using the Hornady bullet comparator. The groups were remarkably better, like a different rifle!

It's also worth doing some basic accurizing work on the PU after you've done some group testing. If it doesn't shoot to your satisfaction, you can do small and inexpensive things such as shimming the spaces between the action and stock, stock and magazine well, and recoil lug area with tin or oiled carboard, and doing an oiled cloth wrap around the barrel about an inch above and below the front barrel band. Check out Youtube vids on the subject.
 
Irons78 said:
It will be interesting to see how those 308 campros do in your PU....my gut feeling is the groups will be disappointing. But - military surplus rifles work in strange and mysterious ways as you've experienced!

I did a test a few years back with a run of the mill 91/30 that grouped OK at around 75 yards with Russian surplus. I was shooting seated, using a front rest and a shoulder rest to take as much of my error out of the equation as possible. I pulled 20 surplus bullets, measured the powder charge per case (median was 50.1 IIRC) and I reloaded each steel case to 50.1 using a tuned Ohaus 10-10 scale, and then seated 311 Speers to identical depth using the Hornady bullet comparator. The groups were remarkably better, like a different rifle!

It's also worth doing some basic accurizing work on the PU after you've done some group testing. If it doesn't shoot to your satisfaction, you can do small and inexpensive things such as shimming the spaces between the action and stock, stock and magazine well, and recoil lug area with tin or oiled carboard, and doing an oiled cloth wrap around the barrel about an inch above and below the front barrel band. Check out Youtube vids on the subject.
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As you say, keep expectations low! This one already shoots well, I shot the surplus ball in it last days off and it did quite well as it was, +- a grain per charge, +- a grain of bullet wait per cartridge. It’ll be interesting to see for sure. The Campros may obturate too, being open based. We’ll see tomorrow.

Last weeks group photo.

I also have a decent stockpile of pulled MkVII bullets I’ve been sitting on that I may try in it just to see…
 

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flying pig said:
As you say, keep expectations low! This one already shoots well, I shot the surplus ball in it last days off and it did quite well as it was, +- a grain per charge, +- a grain of bullet wait per cartridge. It’ll be interesting to see for sure. The Campros may obturate too, being open based. We’ll see tomorrow.

Last weeks group photo.

I also have a decent stockpile of pulled MkVII bullets I’ve been sitting on that I may try in it just to see…
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That group is definitely minute of stahlhelm!
 
Irons78 said:
That group is definitely minute of stahlhelm!
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flying pig said:
As you say, keep expectations low! This one already shoots well, I shot the surplus ball in it last days off and it did quite well as it was, +- a grain per charge, +- a grain of bullet wait per cartridge. It’ll be interesting to see for sure. The Campros may obturate too, being open based. We’ll see tomorrow.

Last weeks group photo.

I also have a decent stockpile of pulled MkVII bullets I’ve been sitting on that I may try in it just to see…
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PS - if those MkVII bullets don't work out, I'd be willing to take a few off your hands for a certain 1950 Long branch No4 =)
 
That is not Czech ammo.

It is Bulgarian "Silver Tip" bi-metal jacket with a multi-part core. Made by "Circle 10" arsenal, Bulgaria. Manufactured in March of 1971 based on the crate markings.

Fantastic ammo as far as surplus is concerned, and now nearly impossible to find.
 
flying pig said:
Why? It’ll run better and be non corrosive now.
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How would reloading them with balanced powder charges and the same or replacement bullets make them non-corrosive? The primers are the corrosive part and those weren't changed. Unless I missed something there?

I am interested in seeing the results of this experimentation, regardless of corrosive or non.


Mark
 
mmattockx said:
How would reloading them with balanced powder charges and the same or replacement bullets make them non-corrosive? The primers are the corrosive part and those weren't changed. Unless I missed something there?

I am interested in seeing the results of this experimentation, regardless of corrosive or non.


Mark
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I think he transferred the powder and bullets over into brass cases with new primers
 
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