Need Advice - 7.62X54R Reloading

Since this is my first post on this forum off i'd like to say hello to everyone.

I'm new to Military Surplus Rifles. I currently only own one of them but it's the one I've always wanted lol It's a very nice numbers matching Izhevsk 1945 Mosin Nagant M44 with a near perfect bore.:super:

My question is about reloading these cartridges.. Although i have never done this before I have a friend who is VERY experienced in reloading, he's been doing this for years but i'm not sure he's ever reloaded russian rounds.

So what i need to know is the specs on reloading, so basically i can give him all the info on what he needs for this. The primers, Powder, amount of powder, bullet make etc that you pros recommend. The powder count can be a little hotter than usual if you all think it's safe.

Right now i have a bunch of Brass from the Igman 150gr ammo i've shot so that's what i'll be reloading.

Any info on this will be appreciated.

Thanks! :D

If you already have the brass, you'll still need dies, preferable a set that comes with a shell holder. If you buy the Lee set (recommended by me) you will get the shell holder, the cartridge specs and the load data included free with the dies.

For primers, if not being used in a semi-auto, I like Winchester Long Rifle primers. For semi-auto milsurps, I prefer CCI No34 milspec primers.

For bullets, I tend to use the .311" bullets made for reloading .303 British. 174gr and 150gr weights are best.

My favorite powders for this round are H4895 and Varget.

Hope that helps!

thanks alot Claven!

where do i get the Lee Die Set ?

I collect surplus for many reasons and one of the biggest is they are cheap to shoot. I just saw some Russian Sniper ammo (light ball, somewhat match) for $89.00 a can on E-bay. Thats a little high, I've seen some in PA gun shows for $69.00 and regular for as little as $44.00 for heavy ball. My bolts seam to like the heavy a little more than the light ball and the Semi likes the light stuff-F.W.I.W.-SDH

Russian Sniper ammunition fo $89.00 a can is an excellant price.The downside to it is that if it is in fact 7N1 ammunition it is good but not as good as you would think.1987 Hungarian LPS shoots every bit as well in my 91/30T for a lot less.7N1 is selling for a great deal more here in Washington State.Will

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Originally Posted by sdh1911

...I just saw some Russian Sniper ammo (light ball, somewhat match) for $89.00 a can on E-bay...-SDH

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You saw ammo on eBay?

Anyone have a load for H414 or IMR4895?

If you get the Lee dies, also get the .311 expander from a set of .303 Brit dies, the X54r dies have a .308 expander.

I'm using a 125 gr FMJ (.310) over 56 grains of BL-C2. I'm also messing with a cast boolit for the .303 by Lee, 185 gr gas checked over 27 to 30 grains of IMR 4895. Both of these loads are pretty accurate at 50 yds, I'll be testing them at 100 yds next trip to the range.

Re: Lee dies for 7.62 X 54. I use the .308 sizer for both .308 and .310 bullets with no problems. If you use lead bullets you might get some lead shaving.

One problem I had with the Lee dies was the sizer die shaved brass on the bottom 1" of the cases, so I ground and pollished a radius on the mouth of the die and that solved the problem.

I would suggest that you neck size only to prolong case life. I would also suggest that you use moderate loads rather than top loads, you cases will last longer and your shooting will be more pleasant.

I found the .308 expander to be a real PITA. I'm sure its caused the death of 2 of my Privi - Partizan cases.

I actually cannot use my Lee full length die for my brass (Bell/SB). Thankfully, my RCBS neck size die works out just fine but it set me back about 60bucks when all was done.

Happydude,

what is the problem with the Lee die ?

I'm sizing some S&B brass with mine, no problems so far.

It won't size all the way. At the end of the process I can't go through the full motion and then the expander part sticks in the case and I have to cut the case open to get it out.

What press are you using? A good press (ie, classic cast, rock chucker, dillon, etc.) should have enough leverage to make it a non-issue. Are you using an aluminum press? If so, that's probably your problem.

Also, are you using case lube?

I'm using an RCBS Rockchucker, tried little lube and tried lots of lube, no difference. I get almost all the way but I assure you, even though I don't get all the way when I reverse the stroke the expanding ball/pin gets stuck in the case. Absolutely no issue with the RCBS neck size die though.

Sounds like an out of whack die, I'd send it back to Lee.