Pulling 7.65x54 bullets

[rambutan316]

I currently don't handload for rifles at the moment, but plan to do so in the near future. I have about 500 rounds of surplus SF marked ammo and am thinking about pulling these bullets for later use. Would I be able to use these bullets in other cartridges? I am looking at the Lyman manual it looks like it has the same diameter as the .303 British and 7.62x54R, both of which I have rifles for.

[BruinGuy]

The 7.62x54r surplus is usually a .311 bullet, which is correct diameter for a .303 and should be fine. I use the same 150gr .311 Sierra bullets in my reloads for both cartridges. The surplus bullets are probably bimetallic with a magnetic jacket, so make sure that is okay to shoot at your preferred range.

I also hope you have a collet puller, because pulling any significant quantity of the surplus with an impact puller is going to be a real pain in the rear. A lot of surplus ammo has a sealant around the bullet; you can break that seal with your seating die, pushing the bullet down into the cartridge a few tenths before pulling.

If it were me, I would just shoot the surplus from your Mosin, and buy new bullets for the Enfield. The bimetallic jacket is harder on barrels and I prefer to protect my Enfield barrel a bit more over that of my Mosins, since Enfields are a bit harder to come by and pricier.

[rambutan316]

Thanks for the help Bruinguy. I will definitely look into that collet puller because my impact puller sucks at pulling those bullets.

[Enfield47]

I agree with BruinGuy, shoot the surplus in your Mosin. Hornady and Prvi have some .311 bullets that are fairly inexpensive you can use for your Enfield. I've use the 174gr Hornady match bullets with good results and I am trying the 150gr Prvi bullets next.

[thenodnarb]

I've been casting for the .303 and I have had tremendous success. After the initial investment in the mold, and sizer die, you will quickly recoup your costs. I have no leading using wheel weight lead and a gas check and I size to .314(although my bullets are actually in the .313 area as cast). The Lee enfield's are usually close to .313 groove diameter than .311.
Last night I just cast another 300 that didn't cost me anything but a little propane. I am sizing those down to use in other 30 caliber guns of mine. By casting big and sizing down, the 314299 lyman mold can work for every 30 caliber rifle including 308, 30-06, 30-30, 7.62X39, 7.62X54, 300 blk/whisper, 7.65 argentine and on and on. Just run through the correct sizer die and lube and gas check your bullets.
To avoid an expensive lubrisizer, use the lee push through die on your press, and pan lube(which is very easy). The lee sizer die can apply a gas check as it sizes.

For higher velocities, I am going to be experimenting with powder coating since some of the members on here turned me onto it. Hopefully I will be able to push the bullets a little faster, like over 2000 fps. Then I can save my expensive Sierra bullets for when the application demands it.

Good luck!

[thenodnarb]

BTW is this 7.65 Argentine ammo you have? I have one of those and I need ammo(since I don't reload for it yet). PM me if you want to sell it!

[pigman]

Thanks for the help Bruinguy. I will definitely look into that collet puller because my impact puller sucks at pulling those bullets.

-Use a shell holder from your single stage press 7.62x54r, place it in your impact puller vs. that 3 part rubber band aluminum mess, screw down plastic num, you can pull fast and never lose the loaded round into the puller, FYI

[thenodnarb]

-Use a shell holder from your single stage press 7.62x54r, place it in your impact puller vs. that 3 part rubber band aluminum mess, screw down plastic num, you can pull fast and never lose the loaded round into the puller, FYI

I've done this and it can ruin the rim of the cartridge including ripping off sides of the rim around the case head. If you don't plan to reload the cartridge, or the cartridge is steel, then go for it.

A press mounted collet puller is the ticket when you need to pull lots of bullets.

[Vlad 11]

Good info here

And yes, collet puller is the way to go for mass bullet pulling

In addition the '.303' size bullet is also appropriate for 7.7 Arisakas.

7.7japanese and .303british are very similar loadings. As said, Enfields tend to be toward .313 while Mosins tend to be .3105 / .311

[pigman]

Yep, back when Hungarian 7.62x54r "83" head stamp, think Hungarian, anyway was crap ammo, so pulled it down, powder and bullet went straight into my 7.7 Jap prepped brass case, no need to weigh charge, excellent and very cheap shooting that Jap vs. factory loaded ammo.

[rambutan316]

BTW is this 7.65 Argentine ammo you have? I have one of those and I need ammo(since I don't reload for it yet). PM me if you want to sell it!

yes, this is argentine surplus ammo. unfortunately, I don't think these would be safe to be sold to you. These batches of ammo have been known for internal corrosion due to improper storage in the Carribean. I have pulled a few myself and sure enough there was some corrosion on the inner walls and bullet, although the gun powder looks fine. This could cause dangerous spikes in pressure, especially in a small ring Mauser like the Argentines.

That's why I originally asked this question, because I know this ammo is probably not safe to shoot but I would still like to reuse the bullets for my other guns if possible. It looks like I'll be good to go for my Enfields, although I'll probably be shooting my surplus Nagant ammo out of my Mosins for now.

[rambutan316]

By the way, is this a good bullet puller to use? I am thinking about getting this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/435...r-311-diameter

[Vlad 11]

By the way, is this a good bullet puller to use? I am thinking about getting this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/435...r-311-diameter

That's just the collet and needs the press mounted puller of course - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/419...-bullet-puller

I dont have any experience with the Forster ,, the reviews seem a little spotty


I use an RCBS and can attest its gtg - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/680...-bullet-puller

[rambutan316]

Thanks vlad!

[Longhill]

I currently started using a Forster bullet puller. It's in the sale section. The only one close is in .284. I used a Dremel to open up the fingers to accept the .311 bullet. The puller does put scratches onto the bullet, but I resize them down to .308. This puller works great.
I've been pulling the surplus 7.62x54r bullet and replacing the bullet with a copper jacket bullet to shoot in the Mosin.

http://www.forsterproducts.com/catalog.asp?prodid=733715&showprevnext=1

Superfast Bullet Puller
.284" Superfast Bullet Puller
CLOSEOUT--ALL SALES FINAL

The hardened, flexible jaw automatically closes on the bullet when you raise your press ram or guideblock, and works in any press and pulls jacketed bullets.

Item No. Item Amount Qty.
011501 .284" Superfast Bullet Puller $3.00