Your Preferred Bullet Weights out of a M91/30 PU Sniper

I'm currently loading 7.62x54mmR for my M91/30 PU sniper rile with 150 grain bullets over 54.5 grains of BL-C(2). The ammunition functions fine -- I shoot 3-ish MOA with the rifle but I can't say I've ever been particularly happy with my recipe. For one, it's a slightly hot load that hits just over 3,000 fps -- I'd rather settle down with 2,600-2,800 fps.

I figured I'd come at it from the other end this time and perhaps experiment with bullet weights instead of focusing exclusively on powders.

What are you using for your 54r loads in your sniper? I'm more interested in your bullet weights than recipes, but feel free to share if you like.

I use 180 grs. FMJBT from Sellier & Bellot, with 44 grs of N140. Very good accuracy. But… with iron sights.
I would swear that I can match the 3” at 100 meters. And the round is not soft, but not punishing.
Out of a 1942 91/30.

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Originally Posted by Ovidio

I use 180 grs. FMJBT from Sellier & Bellot, with 44 grs of N140. Very good accuracy.

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That's something I'd like to try -- shame that Vihtavuori has gotten so expensive here in Canada.

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Originally Posted by GunsNotPuns

I'm currently loading 7.62x54mmR for my M91/30 PU sniper rile with 150 grain bullets over 54.5 grains of BL-C(2). The ammunition functions fine -- I shoot 3-ish MOA with the rifle but I can't say I've ever been particularly happy with my recipe. For one, it's a slightly hot load that hits just over 3,000 fps -- I'd rather settle down with 2,600-2,800 fps.

I figured I'd come at it from the other end this time and perhaps experiment with bullet weights instead of focusing exclusively on powders.

What are you using for your 54r loads in your sniper? I'm more interested in your bullet weights than recipes, but feel free to share if you like.

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Slightly hot ? That is a major over load , in the proof load pressure range .

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Originally Posted by GunsNotPuns

That's something I'd like to try -- shame that Vihtavuori has gotten so expensive here in Canada.

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Same here…
As an alternative, I use (as long as it lasts) 43 or 44 grains of Lovex S060-2, depending onthe barrel length. On my M44 I use 43 grs, on the 1891/30 I use 44 grs. That powder was cheap, but not it is unobtainium and almost as expensive as Vihtavuori. I have bought the Reload Swiss RS50. Will try that too.

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Originally Posted by bob q

Slightly hot ? That is a major over load , in the proof load pressure range .

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Initially my thoughts too but I checked online at the Hodgdon reloading website and the maximum load is 55.5 grains of BL-C(2).

Then they must have had a misprint or bad data . Just because it is in a manual does not mean it is correct . I have seen several loads listed that were way off of reality . That load is about 64,000 cup , way above the normal 56,000 cup . The Russian proof load is 70,000 cup . Also with the greatly varying bore areas of rifles in 7.62x54r , you could have a pressure variation of +/- 5000 cup easily . The rifle may hold such a strong load for a while , but why beat a 80 year old rifle [ made in wartime ? ] like that . That load could also be the accuracy problem as it is overloading the receiver and locking lugs and causing flex .

I can't speak to any greater authority other than Gordon's Reloading Tool and it calculates the PSI for that load to be about 58K -- which is still above 56K to be sure.

At any rate, this is the reason why I'm reformulating. Playing around with GRT and what I'm trying to accomplish (to start) is leading me to back down to about 48.5 grains of BL-C(2). That would theoretically net me about 2800 fps and pressure of about 39K. From there I can do some more work.

I do not know what data they used to write your pressure calculator , but it seems to be way off . There is no way to get 2800 fps with only 39k in that case size , closer to 2450 fps . It will take around 54 - 56 k to get 2800 fps . I have a ballistics lab , have been testing loads [ a lot for military rifles ] with pressure measuring equipment for many years . I develop new cartridges , build rifles to shoot them . Sometimes reality is better than a computer program .

I ran military rifle matches at my range for years . There were a couple of guys who ran overloads in their rifles . The results were : M-96 cracked lug , M-48 one lug broke off and jammed the action , M-96 one lug fell off when the bolt was removed , Enfield bolt bent . Also nobody would ever buy a used rifle from those guys .