Down Loading 7.62x54r

[acoop101]

I cam across the ammosmith series of videos about loading squib loads for high powered rifles. (for those interested http://ammosmith.com/rifle-reloading...rt-series.html) and it got me thinking about down loading 54r with lighter 32 acp bullets. There are two reasons I am thinking about doing this, the first is 7.62x54r brass is very expensive so by shooting light loads I would be able to extend the life of my brass also my cousin wants to get into shooting but he is smaller than me and probably wouldn't like shooting my 91-30 with full power loads, at least right now. Another question is could you pull the bullet out of a 7.62x25 and load the powder into a 54r case, I can think of a bunch of reasons this wouldn't work but it's an idea. If anyone has loaded similar loads please share what you did and how it worked.

[gunboat]

There is a large selection of both jacketed and cast bullets around 100 gr available -- that is about as light as I would go -- .312 pistol bullets or you might have success with speer plinkers .308 -- I have used them in a lot of 30cal, but never tried in the rusky -- Hell, you could even use a round ball for very short range -- my ha-penny

[merritt]

I have done 15gr accurate #5 and a 85gr XTP (that was for a .32pistol) ... I haven't tried breaking down a 7.62x25 and using that... you can try but remember when going into uncharted territory that you might get really weird things happening

It is important to make sure that what ever load you choose neither goes over pressure nor lodges the bullet somewhere in the barrel. both can lead to a bad day at the range.

The 54R is a roomy case for a pistol charge so make sure that you check the barrel for obstructions before each shot if you are going off of a pistol loading chart (a .32acp load in that cartridge will be only a few hundred FPS, with A#5 and the 85gr bullet it was in the neighborhood of 250fps)

[J-cat]

Use Blue Dot, proven incredibly accurate in all calibers with these reduced loads.

[dgey]

downloading 30 caliber rifle loads has already been done with great success.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/articles...kiss/index.asp this is an article outlining this.

[merritt]

downloading 30 caliber rifle loads has already been done with great success.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/articles...kiss/index.asp this is an article outlining this.

I've been meaning to check out that trail boss... it is supposed to be more case filling and hence better for this application.

It should be noted that I picked A#5 'cause I have a lot of it lying around rather than it was the best powder for the job

[Sinixstar]

downloading 30 caliber rifle loads has already been done with great success.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/articles...kiss/index.asp this is an article outlining this.

I was just about to post that.
I got the impression their loads were WAY downloaded though. I mean, having to use the 600m sighting at 50 yards?
I imagine there has to be some sort of middle ground between full-blown, and what they did there.

[merritt]

I was just about to post that.
I got the impression their loads were WAY downloaded though. I mean, having to use the 600m sighting at 50 yards?
I imagine there has to be some sort of middle ground between full-blown, and what they did there.

They were using cast lead 160gr and up at about 1000fps

If you go with jacketed pistol bullets you can push up closer to 2000 fps and not suffer as much drop.

If low recoil is the goal you can go faster with jacketed bullets and get better balistics with the same recoil(a 80gr at 2000fps will recoil as much as a 160 at 1000fps)

The 60gr XTP can make a Mosin recoil like an AR... the only problem is how much speed that jacket can take

[mif_slim]

I cam across the ammosmith series of videos about loading squib loads for high powered rifles. (for those interested http://ammosmith.com/rifle-reloading...rt-series.html) and it got me thinking about down loading 54r with lighter 32 acp bullets. There are two reasons I am thinking about doing this, the first is 7.62x54r brass is very expensive so by shooting light loads I would be able to extend the life of my brass also my cousin wants to get into shooting but he is smaller than me and probably wouldn't like shooting my 91-30 with full power loads, at least right now. Another question is could you pull the bullet out of a 7.62x25 and load the powder into a 54r case, I can think of a bunch of reasons this wouldn't work but it's an idea. If anyone has loaded similar loads please share what you did and how it worked.

I've done it before. I used Hornady 100gr XPHP .32 pistol bullets and the OE powder. Works best at 44.2gr. That is, you have to add a little more then what they loaded the factory round. That will have enough pressure to expand the neck to seal it up. I get 1/4" groups at 50 yards with those loads and it clocks in at 2500 fps.

Heres a picture of it:


Make sure your barrel has the right diameter for the bullet by slugging it first before even purchasing the .32apc bullets.
Disclaimer: do it at your own risk though.