7.62 mm. Russian Cartridge, 7.62x54R, or 7.62x54mm Rimmed Russian
The 7.62x54R , was adopted by the Russian Army in 1891, and has been used through all wars since to date. It is a rimmed cartridge that has a large diameter body and the outer edge of the case is beveled. All Mosin-Nagants, Finnish Nagants, Nagant Carbines, Sniper Rifle Dragunov (SVD), and Tokarev rifles use this cartridge.
Brass - Sellier Bellot does not reload well. Norma brass and any US manufactured does reload well. I suggest purchasing new Norma or Lapua Brass from Midway USA or other listed above. Granted it will probably cost you more for 100 new pieces than what you may have paid for the rifle. One easy way of remedying this is to purchase three or four rifles - then because of economy of scale you will feel you are getting a better bargain!
Powder - IMR 3031 or IMR 4064 are both good powders for this round.
Cartridge Name 7.62x54mm Rimmed Russian
Bullet Diameter .310
Case Neck Diameter .332
Case Shoulder Diamete .453
Case Base Diameter .484
Case Rim Diameter .564
Case Rim Thickness .055
Case Length 2.11
Overall Cartridge Length 3.02
Military Bullet Weight 185
Velocity 2660
Taken from
www.surplusrifle.com/svt40/ammunition.asp
and
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/svt40/index.asp
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The POSP 8x42 SVD scope I have came with instructions that were translated a while ago by a friend that served in the red army. It was calibrated for 185g rounds but i've also read 181g works as well, can't find the article that referanced the 181g round. Yes I know the SVD and SVT-40 is not the same rifle but they are designed to use the same cartridge/bullet weight.
