Reloading for M38

[concretus]

Hello, I have an Izzy 1943 M38 that still has good rifling although it has been counter-bored that I would like to reload for. I've used the corrosive surplus Russian LB and after 20 rounds of fouling the barrel the groups start to come together but you have to clean the rifle when your done shooting....Has anybody out there had any experience reloading for a Mosin Nagant? Do you have to consider powder burn rates because of the shorter barrel when choosing a powder? What are some of your recipes and results? I've been reloading for quite a few years now and yes it's been very rewarding working up custom loads for my rifles and handguns. I don't expect moa accuracy with the M38 but I'm sure there will be an overall improvement. I should slug the barrel though to determine which dia bullet would work best. I had (3) powders in mind to try; IMR 4064, IMR 4350 and Varget. I got 100pcs of Privi brass and Win LR primers. Have any of you had better success with full length or neck sizing the brass? Thanks for your time?

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[concretus]

Well I slugged the bore this evening and it measures between .311 and .312. So does that mean that I nee to use .310 bullets? I know you have to be careful because of unsafe pressures.

[jmoore]

I'd neck size if the brass is to be used only in this rifle. From your bore size, it looks like regular old .303/ 7.65 bullets will be fine. They range in size depending on mfg. from .310" to 0.313". try some from different makers and weights and see what the rifle likes. Just just the bullet maker's loading data regardless of size, as they will have made sure it's OK for the Mosin. Plenty strong action. No especial precautions required beyond the usual. Faster powders might give less muzzle flash out of that short barrel, but otherwise, I generally start with 4064 and usually end up making it the powder of choice.

[concretus]

I decided to start with Hornady .312 15gr Spire Point. Will that be okay with that slugged bore?

[jmoore]

Sure! Even a thousandth or so over won't hurt. Mainthing is that theres sufficient clearance of the case neck in the chamber. Too little, and the bullet can't easily exit into the bore. (Most bullets are fairly malleable, and will accomdate some mismatch in size.)

[concretus]

Would it be beneficial to run the bullet out closer to the lands? Is the magazine big enough to allow that?

[jmoore]

If it was a 0.308" bore, then it would be a bit big, but as long as you follow Hornady's loading recommendations, and don't start with a max load, no worries.

The solid "monometal" type bullets such as the Barnes DO need close matching to the bore size.

[kriswaller]

I use 19.6 grains of 2400 and cast bullets that i grease with alox and size as well as either 155 to 200 grain bullets (it does not like the light ones) in my m91 and it really flings em out there, it's impressive for a 100 year old rifle...............