first time reloading, need help: 7.62x54R

[ar15barrels]

I was gonna get the IMR4895 they had at the shop, but they also have a LOT of other powders, so I'm waiting to get more opinions on what powder is best for Mosin Nagant 91/30s... anyone got a favorite rifle powder that'd work well for me?

Look in the Barnes reloading manual for powder recommendations for barnes bullets.
Vihtavuori powders tend to be very clean burning.

[FLIGHT762]

There is no loading information for the 7.62X54 R in the Barnes #3 or #4 manuals. Barnes doesn't make their all copper bullets in .310-.312 diameter, but plenty in .308.
The .308 diameter may or may not shoot well in your rifle.

The Sierra #5 (V) manual and the Hornady 7th edition has a good selection of reloading recipes for regular bullets in the 7.62X54 R.

You may want to check further on the net to see if any 7.62X54 R shooters have used the .308 Barnes or other all copper (Hornady GMX or Nosler E- Tip) bullets have worked well.

A place to start may be here:

http://7.62x54r.net/Forums/

http://7.62x54r.net/

[jr916]

...Barnes makes both .310" and .311" bullets (the latter being meant for .303 Brit/7.7 Jap) in all copper. The local place, Custom Cartridge, has both a .310" 123gr Barnes TSX and a .311" 150gr TSX as well (both all copper). They do not make these in their tipped-TSX, however... maybe you got confused by that? I wasn't aware of any other company that made all copper bullets in the size I need, but I'll look into the GMX and E-Tip (I thought they only had conventional sizes and the .308" will be really sloppy in my rifle).

[FLIGHT762]

...Barnes makes both .310" and .311" bullets (the latter being meant for .303 Brit/7.7 Jap) in all copper. The local place, Custom Cartridge, has both a .310" 123gr Barnes TSX and a .311" 150gr TSX as well (both all copper). They do not make these in their tipped-TSX, however... maybe you got confused by that? I wasn't aware of any other company that made all copper bullets in the size I need, but I'll look into the GMX and E-Tip (I thought they only had conventional sizes and the .308" will be really sloppy in my rifle).

You're right, When I checked my Barnes manuals, they had no listings for the .310 and .311 bullets nor any load data for them.
They must have been released after the #4 manual came out. For your rifle, I'd buy the 150 gr. to use for big game.

Good luck with it.

[jr916]

How do you think the .310" 123gr barnes would do on coyotes? If the .310" Hornadys do well in my rifle, I may opt for these. Considering that all copper bullets are supposedly equivalent to a slightly heavier soft point bullet... would these lighter ones be enough for deer, or even pigs?

[CSACANNONEER]

How do you think the .310" 123gr barnes would do on coyotes? If the .310" Hornadys do well in my rifle, I may opt for these. Considering that all copper bullets are supposedly equivalent to a slightly heavier soft point bullet... would these lighter ones be enough for deer, or even pigs?

I'd have no problem using them on 'yotes or deer. Personally, I'd opt for a heavier bullet for pig though.

[FLIGHT762]

I'd have no problem using them on 'yotes or deer. Personally, I'd opt for a heavier bullet for pig though.

^^^^^ I agree with this ^^^^^^^^^^^

[jr916]

I just want to make sure... is it necessary for me to get the .311" expander to seat bullets larger than .308"? Some people have made it seem like the difference is miniscule enough to not matter... if it does, would I also need a .310" expander to seat my .310" Hornady's, then??

It'd be great if I could start handloading right when my Lee Classic Loader arrives in the mail rather than have to wait another week or so for a tiny little part. Is it really necessary to have an expander for the exact size bullet I'm seating?

Also, if I find recipes for loads in .308", can I approximate the specs for my bullets (.310 or .311) of the same grain/composition, or does the .001-.003" cause pressure differences?

P.S.- If I have IMR4895 and the load recipe calls for H-4895, is there a conversion ratio to use or is the difference negligible?

jr916,
If you plan on keeping and using your Lee Classic Loader for 7.62x54r you can call Lee and they will send you a neck expander for .311 (since the kit only comes with a .308)

I use mine to reseat milsurp ammo. I noticed the charge weight varied quite a lot between the surplus rounds! I weighed out some 180 grain yugo ammo and found almost one in five varied radically in charge weight (46.6 to 49.8 grains) and bullet diameter from .3095 to .312 this might explain the "flyers"

I believe your shots will group better when you can stabilize these variables. You might want to slug your barrel soon. I have 91/30 with .311 barrels and m44's with .313 and .314 barrels they definitely prefer different bullets.

Enjoy!

[Cowboy T]

The one thing keeping me away from buying a Mosin-Nagant is the expense of brass. I know, I could buy Winchester ammo, but .308 brass is plentiful and cheap by comparison. To buy 1,000 rounds of 7.62x54R brass would be about $1200.