first time reloading, need help: 7.62x54R

[gunboat]

The first thing you need to do is read a reloading manual - see if your library has one -- Most any of the many manuals will do for starters.
I prefer Lyman's but to each his own --
Don't pass up range brass. it might fit your chamber, try it. You can save it for when you do get a full length die or meet someone who will resize the case for you.
my ha-penny

[LGB Loader]

jr916,

There are more than a few powders that would work but I use IMR 4895 because I usually have alot of this powder onhand. Actually I am quite low now, down to about 5 Lbs. I also fancy IMR 4895 quite a bit. but you can use others.

Do you have a reloading manual? If not, I would suggest getting Lymans 49th edition and reading the front part over and over till you can quote it.
Get your 7.62x54R handload recipes and specs from there as well.

Where are you located? city? If we know this, we can suggest a Mom&Pop store close to you.

LGB

[LGB Loader]

dupe

[jr916]

I'll try to get a reloading manual from the library today...

I'm in Goleta, CA and I know I can buy powder and primers at Goleta Valley Gun & Supply, but if anyone has other suggestions I'm all ears.

"I use IMR 4859..." "I also fancy IMR 4895.." Did you mean to put a different powder # in one of those spots?

[huckberry668]

Should I just shoot it at the range, then reload the used cases? Or for the hunting rounds could I just replace the bullet with a Barnes of equal weight and use the same Win powder? I'd like to buy some good empty brass, but it's way too pricey for me.

Just to double check, http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0076631217356a
that bullet puller is safe to use to pull bullets from live, fully-loaded rounds?

Just shoot the Win ammo and then use the brass for reloading. The kinetic puller is fine. I've used it for years. I also use a collet puller too. Don't get stuck using 1 powder. Sometimes different powder, bullet combination gives you better accuracy/performance. Try a few, it's what reloading is about.

Check out reloading data from powder companies:
www.hodgdon.com gives you Winchester, IMR & Hodgdon powder info.

https://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com

just to name a few with 7.62x54 (or x53) data.

[jr916]

I'll buy several powders in the coming weeks/months to experiment with, but what's a good starting one for this caliber (out of a Mosin w/ a long barrel)? If I'm gonna be loading used Winchester brass, should I try to get Winchester LG Rifle primers so they fit better and less primers go off when I'm loading? I've heard it's inevitable with my little kit, but if I can preempt that a little, it'd be great.

[hypnoman]

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!

[hypnoman]

LGB Loader,

Can you tell me more about your bullet casting for your Mosin? What bullet weight, are they oversized, alloy hardness, gas checks . . . etc. I bought a mold, but really need more info. I have 500 rd of cast 9mm I thought I would melt down . . .
All advice appreciated!!

[ar15barrels]

I would get a bullet puller. Buy the surplus ammo and just swap out the bullet for a same grain bullet size. And just use the powder it came with.

Solid copper bullets of the same weight will use a much different charge weight.
The suggestion you made is an unsafe practice.

Since the lee classic loader won't full length size, the best path is to start with brass cased ammo, pull the bullets, pour the powder in the garden and put in fresh powder according to the barnes reloading manual.

[Chris M]

Just to double check, http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0076631217356a
that bullet puller is safe to use to pull bullets from live, fully-loaded rounds?

I did a little write up a few months ago about kinetic bullet pullers:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=262099

[huckberry668]

I'll buy several powders in the coming weeks/months to experiment with, but what's a good starting one for this caliber (out of a Mosin w/ a long barrel)? If I'm gonna be loading used Winchester brass, should I try to get Winchester LG Rifle primers so they fit better and less primers go off when I'm loading? I've heard it's inevitable with my little kit, but if I can preempt that a little, it'd be great.

Any Large Rifle primer will do. No need to use Win primer for Win cases. Federal primers are softer so it probably would go off a little easier and this is from person experience with race revolvers. Don't worry about primers going off. Wear eye protection, go slow and tap lightly. It doesn't require much force to seat a primer.

Powder wise I'd suggest Varget if you can find any. It's a very versatile powder good for many calibers.

[jr916]

SO I just bought (at a new local shop I found) a box of 100 Hornady .310" 123gr. soft points to use for reloading until I get some Barnes for hunting. I know this bullet is meant for AKs but it should be fine to reload for 7.62x54R also, right? I actually thought it might be easier to seat these bullets than the "standard" .311" using my Lee Classic Loader (b/c it's meant for .308"). I also bought 100 Winchester LR primers, and a kinetic bullet puller. Now I'm just waiting on my Lee Classic Loader coming in the mail, and I need to buy powder.

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? A particularly clean one maybe? Thanks

Oh yeah, and if anyone has any tips for using these bullet pullers, please give them up... I'm WHACKING this thing and can't get the SP out of a Winchester round.

[Chris M]

Oh yeah, and if anyone has any tips for using these bullet pullers, please give them up... I'm WHACKING this thing and can't get the SP out of a Winchester round.

See my post above regarding bullet pullers.

I find they work best if you whack it against a solid object that's on a concrete floor. Hitting it against the surface your workbench may not suffice. Stand a length of a 4x4 post on your garage floor and pretend you're hammering a nail into the top of it.

Don't whack your bullet puller against anything harder than wood. It's plastic, and can (will) break if hit hard enough against an object that's too hard.

If the bullet is crimped in (most likely), it'll be a bit more subborn, but can still be pulled. Make sure the collet cap on the bullet puller remains tight...mine tends to loosen after 5-6 solid hits.

[jr916]

Thanks... I figured it out just now though, it works best if I use my carpeted floor as a hitting surface. As long as I "flick" it back up with my wrist instead of just hammering down hard, I'm getting the Winchester AND surplus bullets out in 2-3 strikes easy. I got scared for a sec there b/c it says "will not work on factory loaded ammunition where a bullet sealant was used" and I thought most surplus uses one (all that red ****).

...those .310" 123 grain bullets are OK to use for this caliber right? The guy at the store seemed to think it'd be fine.

[ar15barrels]

...those .310" 123 grain bullets are OK to use for this caliber right?

Yes.