Questions on reloading for Mosins

[Enfield47]

The Hornady bullets have been really hard to find in .311, they must only produce a small seasonal run or two. The PPU (Prvi) bullets are a good substitute but I'm not sure if they have any in the 174 -180 gr.

Here is a good tutorial for slugging your barrel in case you need it http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinSlug.htm.

[sunborder]

Casting bullets isn't in my future, I'm afraid

Would plated bullets work with normal loads? They should, right, since even lead bullets ought to work?

Lead bullets WITH a gas check will get you pretty far, but not to full-powered rifle velocities. Plated bullets, about the same. I wouldn't take those past about 16 grains of red dot (or Promo), or a similar load of pistol/shotgun powder. I wouldn't use them at all with rifle powders/charge weights.

I have successfully shot cast bullets down to 7 grains of red dot without gas checks. Makes for dirt cheap (4 cent rounds) ammo, no recoil, and no hearing protection necessary with a 91/30.

I like the Lee 312 diameter 160 and 185 grain lead bullet moulds. I tumble lube and don't size, because that's the sweet spot for my barrel (slugged .312, cast about .312-.314).

I've used the 150 grain PRVI soft-nose bullets, and they work just fine. Love my PRVI brass.

Nice thing about shooting gallery loads in the 7.62x54R is that your brass lasts damn-near forever, since it headspaces on the rim, rather than the case mouth. Don't even have to trim the brass. Just a quick neck-sizing, and you're good to go.

[nick]

My Russian and Finn 91/30's and Finn M39's like Sierra FMJBT 174gr .311. None of them like the Hornaday FMJBT 174gr .3105, Lapua D166 200gr .310, Woodleigh Weldcore 175gr PP SN, Woodleigh 215gr RN.

M39's: Sierra 174gr, 48.0-52.3gr IMR 4350, Fed 210M primer, 3.00 COAL, PPU brass
91/30's: Sierra 174gr, 49.8-52.0gr IMR 4350, Fed 210M primer, 2.93 COAL, PPU brass

I do have one Russian 91/30 with a 0.314 bore that only likes Hornady 174gr HPBT 0.312. Hates everything else. I might have to cast some fat bullets for this thing to do even better.

Hornaday HPBT 174gr 0.312, IMR 4350, Fed 210 primer, 2.99 COAL, PPU brass

COAL determined by measured chamber length.

As others have said, you do have to slug your barrel and see what kind of diameter you have to decide what bullets are likely to work best. Then you want to do a ladder test to find the optimal load. These are not precision rifles so your results will be somewhat marginal but it's a start.

Also, for 91/30's you really need to let the barrel cool down between rounds and strings. M39's are a little less sensitive but still need time between strings. I typically shoot every 45 seconds between each round, then a minute or two between 5 round groups. I get more consistency that way.

I now have a Finn 28/30 that has has a 0.3085 bore that I haven't had out yet, but I am loading Lapua 155gr Scenar L's with N150 behind it. I expect this will be a good combination as these bullets are fantastic in my Swiss K31's, and Remington 700 5R.

I buy bullets from Graf & Sons with a dealer discount or from Powder Valley. PV for powder whenever they have it.

Thank you

[nick]

Thank you, guys! Lots of useful info here, and I got my answers, as usual on Calguns.

[IntoForever]

I can't find my recipe book but I either use IMR 3031 or 4198.
I'm considering a group buy on bullets from X-treme once work slows down.
I need to slug my barrels. For fun I load up .308 frangible on the hot side and laugh at the key holes in the targets at 50 yards.

[sixoclockhold]

I use Hornady for my 91/30 bore .313

In stock .312 dia 150 gr. and a little better bullet than the interlock. Pricey but you only live once and it maybe that last shot you need?

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/25654