7.62x54 reloading question

[Muddydogs]

I just slugged my 7.62x54 Russian Mosin Nagant and came up with a bore size between .314-315. When or if supply's ever come back I was thinking about loading for this rifle as it shoots surplus ammo ok. I am wondering what bullet size I should start with? Looking at bullet sizes they seem to jump from .312 to .318 so I'm thinking about starting with a .312.

I was thinking about messing around with cast bullets in this rifle which might entail more then I want as it appears I will have to deal with a larger expander plug to deal with a .316 bullet if I can find a mold that big without lapping or going custom.

Any insight to loading this old rifle with larger then normal bore will be helpful.

 

[Tolkachi Robotnik]

From lands to grooves usually a big difference.

You might find out .311 standard bullets will work. The lands and grooves usually have a big difference. The surplus ammo is usually .3105 in diameter, but they may expand a little out as they start. If is shoots surplus well it will probably shoot reloads of similar size okay.

Probably not an issue right now, but start with just a hundred and see if they work well. No use getting huge numbers of bullets before you learn they will work.

An easy cartridge to load and you can make lots of things you cannot really buy.

Have fun.