How many loads... your opinions of 7.62x54r please.

[Ryan500]

I am about 6 months into reloading, things are going good. I found some loads that work well in my 91/30 Mosin. Now the question that comes to mind is how many load can i shoot from brass before it becomes unsafe?

My loads are generally around 42-43gr of IMR 3031 and 150 gr bullets. No pressure signs ever, no black on the shoulders. I FL size each time, then trim an few thou off with my case gauge and cutter. Some of my brass is on load #8.

Time for new brass? Signs to look for? Measurements to take?

I have search a bit but no luck. I guess google will work but thats why I come to this site too!

Thanks in advance.

Ryan

 

[sunray]

Case life is entirely dependent on the load used. Hot loads reduce case life.
Load 'em until you get one cracked neck. Then pitch that one and anneal the rest.
"...loads are generally around..." They shouldn't be 'around' any weight. Should be a specific load. In any case, 41.0 grains of 3031 is the starting load given in my old Lyman manual. 42 or 43 is a fairly mild load. Your cases will last quite a while.
You can neck size only for a bolt action, if you only have one rifle. You'd have to set up your FL die again though.

 

[Ryan500]

Yeah by generally around i mean while i work up a load. My finished load with 150gr hot cors was 43gr. That was to give an idea what kind of load these brass have seen. I would love to set up my FL to neck size, if i knew how.... time to google unless some one wants to fill me in!

 

[personal_aviator]

I too reload for the 7.62x54R and am interested in neck sizing, but I haven't found any neck sizing dies available. If anyone has info if a different die can be used or how to adjust a FL die to just neck size, I would be very interested.

 

[gps]

I too reload for the 7.62x54R and am interested in neck sizing, but I haven't found any neck sizing dies available. If anyone has info if a different die can be used or how to adjust a FL die to just neck size, I would be very interested.

There's an article on surplusrifle.com about using a .308 neck sizer and some washers to neck size. I adapted this technique using my .30-30 neck sizer and a thicker stack of washers and it worked perfectly

 

[burnt_servo]

I too reload for the 7.62x54R and am interested in neck sizing, but I haven't found any neck sizing dies available. If anyone has info if a different die can be used or how to adjust a FL die to just neck size, I would be very interested.

when you resize the case , start by having it only resize 2/3's of the neck , then try and chamber the partially resized case ( assuming these are cases fired from the same rifle ) .

you can see where the dies scrape on the case neck.

if it's too tight when closing the action , move the die down a bit more so it resizes a bit more of the neck .

most of my rifles i only resize 2/3's to 3/4's of the neck . the remaining unsized portion of the neck helps center the rear of the bullet to the chamber .

 

[saskgunowner101]

I found it easy to partially size with a full length die. I suppose it depends on your brand of dies, but back it out a full turn from where you normally set it. Put a vertical line with a black marker on the neck. Size the case and see how far down it goes on the neck. Keep going until you get about a mm from the shoulder.

More than one way to skin a cat....this one works for me.