reloading 7.62 x 54

T

themouser

Regular
Rating - 100%
343   0   0
Location
Out West
Hey bought a hand loader set but havent even unpacked it yet. Was wondering if the 7.62 x 54 copper brushed cases are reloadable? I know they are berdan primed but was wondering about the casing itself. Why is it called copper brushed.
Sorry if this is a dumb question
 
Technically, yes.
Practically, not worth it.

This may help you:

I've usually heard it referred to as "copper washed" but I suppose copper brushed works too. It's just steel cases with a copper coating.
If you want to reload them with Berdan primers know there are many different sizes; not just large and small like with boxer primers.

Considering how easy it is to find brass 7.62x54R I don't see a point in converting steel cases.
$65 for 100 brass cases that take standard boxer primers:
http://www.tradeexcanada.com/content/762x54r-brass-prvi

If it's just plinking ammo the current surplus on the market is cheaper than reloading brass cases. Even with casting my own bullets from free scrap lead (what I have left) I can barely break even with the $.30/round surplus around.
If you are reloading for accuracy or for cheaper hunting loads then reloading is still the way to go.
 
Last edited:
Steel cases are not reloadable. Any case that is Berdan primed is not worth the extra expense and effort. If you can find the right diameter Berdan primer. They are not like Boxer primers with the Large Rifle, et al.
Converting Berdan primed cases does not work either. The flash holes will be too big. Causes erratic ignition.
"...Why is it called copper brushed..." Different marketing term for copper washed. Sttel coated in copper. Pitch 'em.
 
All depends on how much time you want to spend.

I have reloaded steel cases, as have others.

I have also converted Berdan primed to Boxer primed, as have others.

Don't know what to do with yourself on a long, cold, Canadian winter day? You can make this work. If you really want to is up to you.
 
Given that brass, Boxer primed cases are available, it doesn't make much sense to mess with Berdan steel cases.
 
Mouser, I see that you're located in Aldergrove. I recently got a box of 100 Privi Partizan boxer brass and a couple of hundred bullets from Budget Reloading. The order came in jolly quick and I'll soon be making some decent quality 7/62x54R loads. I suggest you just spend a little money with Budget and get the same startup items.

The copper washed, or copper brushed, steel casings just split too easily to bother trying to reload. Hell on one of my Mosins half the steel surplus ammo casings have a small split on the shoulder just from firing the ONE time. No way I'd bother with trying to reload them even if they were boxer primed.
 
Short of buying unfired brass, PRVI and S&B commercial rounds are better than average brass quality for reloading. I picked up several hundred rounds of PRVI and it has been what I'm using for my reloads. As far as I'm concerned, the steel cases are good for only the metal recycle bin, not worth farting with.

Just to pass along a friendly hint for loading X54, Slug your barrels and make a measurement, especially for Mosin loading. I load all my rounds with a .312 bullet rather than with the standard .310. I have better loading success in ALL my X54 rifles.
 
tiriaq said:
Given that brass, Boxer primed cases are available, it doesn't make much sense to mess with Berdan steel cases.
Click to expand...

For sure.

It's nice though to see the possibilities:

- Berdan is reloadable;
- Steel is reloadable; and
- Berdan can be converted to Boxer.

Some people like to tinker, and other times boxer brass is not available.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom