SVT-40 and heavy ball ammo?

[commissar_lubi]

There seems to be a semi-consensus floating around the internet that one should only use light ball 7.62x54r (147-148gr) ammo in the SVT so as to not "overstress the action and rifle." Of course the rifle was, to my knowledge, designed for Soviet light ball ammunition, but is it actually ok to run modern heavy ball ammo equivalents (e.g. Barnaul 174gr) in the SVT?

Anyone have insight on this?

Cheers

 

[MuthaFunk]

I believe it’ll run anything up to 200 gr with ease. Just adjust the gas system until it stops cycling reliably then increase the setting to the next highest.

You want to avoid being overgassed and having the bolt carrier slapping the rear of the receiver any harder than it has to. This could cause added stress on the stock which were known as a weak point prone to crack under full auto use.

 

[commissar_lubi]

I believe it’ll run anything up to 200 gr with ease. Just adjust the gas system until it stops cycling reliably then increase the setting to the next highest.

You want to avoid being overgassed and having the bolt carrier slapping the rear of the receiver any harder than it has to. This could cause added stress on the stock which were known as a weak point prone to crack under full auto use.

That would make sense! Maybe I will try to lower the gas setting to 1.2 and see how it'll cycle, or maybe I'll just keep it at 1.3

 

[CanadianAR]

I shot a fair amount of Hungarian heavy ball I think through it.it was aggressive but never had any issues.

 

[gewehr76]

Adjust gas system and sights for this heavy ball ammo and SVT will shoot it as any other surplus ammo out there.

 

[commissar_lubi]

Thanks for the feedback people, glad that it's not an issue! Certainly expands my choice of ammunition now!