M57 Reloading (7.62x25)

[Outpost75]

Both the Czech and Russian pistol designs are entirely suitable for 7.62x25 loads at full MAP and are quite strong enough for any sensible load. CZ52, Tokarev and its Combloc copies are safe with military surplus and commercial ammunition, including the Czech Sellier & Bellot, which in my chronograph tests approaches 1700 fps fired in the Cz52 with 4.7-inch barrel and has a Pmax (sample average + 3 standard deviations) of 2800 bar (40,600 psi).

For a "safe" load which functions well in both the CZ52 and TT33 use Starline brass, Federal 200 primers and 5.3 grains of Alliant Bullseye with the .309" diameter Hornady XTP bullet at an overall cartridge length of 1.35", which approximates the 1380 +/- 30 fps velocity of USSR Type P Ball with a modern JHP bullet. The Norma .307" diameter 93-grain FMJRN can be safely substituted over this powder charge at an overall cartridge length of 1.38" for about 1350 fps. The Accurate 31-087B bullet which is designed for the 7.62x25 can be cast BHN16 (50-50 linotype and wheelweights) and sized to .310" can also be safely substituted and gives about 1400 fps.

All of the above loads are more accurate than milsurp ammunition in my several pistols.

The 5 grain Bullseye load listed by Lyman for the C96 Mauser pistol would NOT cycle my TT33 or CZ52 pistols, resulting in about 50% "smokestack" jams. The 5.3 grain charge of current Alliant product was the lightest which functioned reliably in both pistols in over 100 rounds, so I quit there.

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