Where to get less expenisve 7.62x54r brass?

[savasyn]

I'm collecting the stuff I need to reload 7.62x54r for an M28/76 and I'm looking for boxer brass to buy. Most places have Lapua brass but it seems to be roughly $100 for 100, which is more than I'm willing to pay.

Anyone have a line on reloadable brass that more affordable?

Thanks!

PS While on the subject, can anyone confirm that Olympic brand 7.62x54r uses a .308 bullet and not a .311? If so, I might buy some to tide me over until I get my loads up and running. Oh, does Olympic happen to be boxer primed?

[justMike]

Olympic is berdan primed.

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmo035.htm

[Cowboy T]

Keep an eye out for Prvi Partizan ammunition at MidwayUSA. I bought a bunch of it when it was on clearance sale for $11.48/20 rounds. The ammo is good, and the cases are Boxer-primed brass.

I see no reason to buy Lapua or Norma brass for a buck a case when you can get full-blown ammo for that. Everything I've heard about Prvi brass has been good, and it's said to last a pretty long time.

[savasyn]

Thanks guys!

I'll see if I can find some Prvi stuff.

[savasyn]

Ammunition to Go has 100 rounds of 182gr Prvi for $63, so I ordered two of those.
Such a better deal than just getting Lapua brass!!!

[Peter in CA]

7.62x54R brass

I second (or is it third) the use of PRVI brass. I really like the stuff. Of course for your M28/76, I think it is the bullet that you will need to be careful about. I use 200 gr .308 diameter bullets to replicate the Finnish cartridge. I also sometimes use the US M72 173 grain bullet.

Peter in CA

[ocabj]

Winchester sells unprimed 7.26x54R, but it's a seasonal run. You have to contact some of the larger distributors like Grafs or Black Hills Shooting Supply for this type of thing (the BHSS sells to dealers only).

[savasyn]

I second (or is it third) the use of PRVI brass. I really like the stuff. Of course for your M28/76, I think it is the bullet that you will need to be careful about. I use 200 gr .308 diameter bullets to replicate the Finnish cartridge. I also sometimes use the US M72 173 grain bullet.

Peter in CA

Wow, they used 200gr bullets in that rifle? I was planning on using 180gr .308.
I have no intentions of running any surplus through it, but I would use Olympic if it was .308(which I've heard rumors it was.) ETA: Finally read the link above and it says that Olympic bullet diameter is .310.

I saw on Midway that they call the Prvi stuff "7.62x54(7.62x53)" which, from what I've seen, usually means a .308 bullet. I'll have to measure when it gets here. If it's .311, I have plenty of other Mosins to use it in.

[savasyn]

Winchester sells unprimed 7.26x54R, but it's a seasonal run. You have to contact some of the larger distributors like Grafs or Black Hills Shooting Supply for this type of thing (the BHSS sells to dealers only).

Oh cool, I'll keep an eye out. Thanks!

[mycrstuff]

The best bet is to buy loaded commercial ammo and then use the brass to reload. I priced out brass a year ago and the new brass costs as much as loaded ammo.

[Bolt2Bounce]

Graff and son had it cheap a while back check into it.. it was S&B made for graf B2B

[tujungatoes]

also if you happen across some wolf gold 54r. It's the same ammo as the privi stuff.

[Flyin Brian]

I heard from a few different experienced reloaders that the Lapua brass lasts longer so I bit the bullet and bought Lapua. So far I've loaded some of the cases 6 times and haven't had any problems. I figure if I can get 10+ loads out of it then it will be more than worth the expense. I have 40 WIN cases I have been loading alongside the Lapua to see if they last as long.

Funny thing about the Lapua... they're serious about the 53mm length!! I had to load and fire these cases twice before they lengthened enough to touch the blade on the case length trimmer.

[knucklehead0202]

for the extra cost you can buy like twice as much Prvi. don't think you'd really noticed unless you were loading at the max how much longer one lasts than the other. i dunno, i've used a lot of Prvi and it's very good quality brass.

[Cowboy T]

I don't intend to run max loads through my brass. This'll be primarily for deer hunting with cast boolits, much like how we do for .30-30. So, why not just get a .30-30? Because the Mosin-Nagant was a hundred bucks and will also handle brown bear if need be, that's why. :-)