7.62x54R

[CurtDawson]

I recieved a mosin nagant for christmas.Anyone have any experence with these rifles and this cartridge?

 

[w123driver]

7.62 Russian,or 3-ligne, by its original XIX century name) is one of the oldest cartridges still in service. Introduced in Tsar Russia, it is still used in Dragunov sniper rifles in Russian and several ex-Soviet armies. Probably most successful round Russians ever made. Ballistics are quite similar to .308win. There is a plenitude of cheap surplus ammo floating around. From what I tried, the best quality is Polish 147gr FMJ from 70's,better than Soviet made from 80's), and cheap also. I think I paid $160 for 880 round crate. I like M44. In fact, from all surplus guns I had, I only have M44 and Swiss K31, which is great gun as well. In the part of the world where i am originally from, M44 is almost exquisitely used to hunt large game. M44,as well as all Soviet made guns)can tolerate abuse and harsh treatment that no other gun would. You can throw it in a mud, bury in sand, and it will keep shooting! You will be noticed by everyone on a range, since M44 is a real is a flame thrower,and very loud!).

There is very good site dedicated to this caliber with lot of useful info: http://7.62x54r.net

 

[2506]

I have the number on loading when it comes to the 7.62X54R. First of all you need to slug your bore before you go by bullets. Take a lead muzzle loader ball or a lead fishing sinker .315 diameter and drop it into the chamber end with the bolt removed. Take the metal cleaning rod that comes with the rifle and using a piece of wood held against the top end place the rod into the chamber end and with a hammer start tapping the lead ball into the bore. Once you have it started a few inches down the bore use some 6 inch long wood dowel rod pieces dropped into the chamber end and use the metal cleaning rod to finish driving the slug out the muzzle end. Measure the high spots on the slug. If it measures .310 to .3105 use .311 bullets. If it measures .3105 to .3115 use .312 bullets. If it measures over .3115 you are out of luck if you want to use jacketed bullets.

I have found that most Mosin Nagant 7.62X54R rifles in any model like 174 to 180 gr bullets best.
This is the most accurate load that I have found that shoots in all of them.
50 grs. Accurate Arms 4350, case made my Prvi Partizan/Graf & Sons or Lupua 7.62X53R,yes53R)Same case just the length is shorter to satisfy the political laws of their country. CCI 200 primer. If you need .311 bullets the Sierra 174 match king or the 180 Pro hunter, OAL 3.000. If you need .312 bullets the Hornady 174 gr RNSP OAL 2.790. And this is important! Use a Lee Factory Crimp Die on all loads. It makes them more accurate, trust me I have tried everything to make these rifles shoot and they can drive tacks. Next go to www.surplusrifle.com and go on the forum to the Russian & Finnish rifles thread. At the top of the page will be "stickies" click on this and you will see one thread something like "Non-bubba accuratizing of the M/N". It works
NOTE: Most of the loading manuals list loads for use with .308 bullets. Don't waste your time using .308 bullets. I have never seen a rifle in this caliber that has a bore small enough for a .308 bullet. The Accurate Arms data used .311 bullets and is OK with .312 bullets. The Hornady 7th edition manual has data for .311 bullets also. If you need more info PM me.