QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW
Member
anyone reload this? i was thinking of trying some handloads instead of paying the increacing price for the corrosive surplus (even though i have over 1krnds on the way today from UPS)
7.62x54r
- Thread starter QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW
- Start date
- Status
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I have hear of shooters reloading for the 7.62X54R but only to make good hunting ammo, not for plinking. There are still some good deals around on Surplus ammo. Widener's has a case of 300 Heavy Ball 7.62X54R for $45.00, that's only $3.00 a box. I know you have to add Shipping but that only adds another $15 or so to the order. That is still only $4.00 a box of 20. The Brass alone for reloading would cost you much more to buy. If Brass was available cheap I would agree any ammo you could make would be better than Surplus but I just don't think it's a good deal financially, unless you are making hunting rounds of course.
I don't worry too much about the corrosive primers because I shoot a little Windex down the barrel after shooting and then clean the rifle well at home with 7.62 Sweets.
I don't worry too much about the corrosive primers because I shoot a little Windex down the barrel after shooting and then clean the rifle well at home with 7.62 Sweets.
Cacique500
Member
If you can find it, there was a batch of "JMS 02" out there...something like 420 rounds per can, boxer primed, recent manufacture, and non-corrosive. Going rate was around $140/can. Reportedly good brass to use for reloading.
I've got a couple cans I'm holding back for my SVT-40, cause cleaning that thing is a nightmare
I've got a couple cans I'm holding back for my SVT-40, cause cleaning that thing is a nightmare
dmftoy1
Member
Wow . . that's a good price given that brass is about $40 per 100. If you see any of that around on the internet please post a link.
res45
Member
Assuming you have a Russian rifle and not a Finnish one. I reload for my Russian M44 mainly because the surplus stuff as it comes shoots all over the place in my rifle,however I have a little trick for that plus you can use American bullets to reload the surplus stuff with if your so inclined to to cut cost and make some good stuff out of junk. http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=34731.0
Ok now for my reloads first thing you need to do if your going to reload for your rifle is slug your bore pretty easy things to do http://www.surplusrifle.com/reloading/slug/index.asp most likely though your going to end up using a .311 or .312 dia. bullets mine likes both dia. bullets equally well. The most accurate load I have found so far with my limited testing is the Lyman accuracy load 43.5 grs. RL 15 and the Hornady .312 flat base SP. My M44 likes the 150 Gr. range bullets the best,I also use the Hornady 174 Gr. .312 flat base RN and no matte how I load it, it shoots about 6 inches low on the same sight setting as the 150's do. I have to bump the rear sight up to about 300 Meters to bring it back to center,hence why I'm going to do the sight pin mod. I will just make a custom pin for those two bullet I like to shoot.
As far as reloading dies go I would get the RCBS the Lee are cheaper but the expander rod is the wrong size for the Russian it's .308 the RCBS comes with .308 and .310 expander balls,.310 is the correct size to use with .311 and .312 bullets.
I use Graf brass http://www.grafs.com/product/181582
Bullets
http://www.grafs.com/product/165923
http://www.grafs.com/product/165924
CCI LR primers and Reloader #15 powder.
Buy these at your local gun shop or reloading supply place to save on the Hazmat fee.
I trim my cases with the Lee trimmer,cutter and stud
http://www.grafs.com/product/167234
http://www.grafs.com/product/167199.
I use the Lyman #48 manual for about everything I reload for.
Ok now for my reloads first thing you need to do if your going to reload for your rifle is slug your bore pretty easy things to do http://www.surplusrifle.com/reloading/slug/index.asp most likely though your going to end up using a .311 or .312 dia. bullets mine likes both dia. bullets equally well. The most accurate load I have found so far with my limited testing is the Lyman accuracy load 43.5 grs. RL 15 and the Hornady .312 flat base SP. My M44 likes the 150 Gr. range bullets the best,I also use the Hornady 174 Gr. .312 flat base RN and no matte how I load it, it shoots about 6 inches low on the same sight setting as the 150's do. I have to bump the rear sight up to about 300 Meters to bring it back to center,hence why I'm going to do the sight pin mod. I will just make a custom pin for those two bullet I like to shoot.
As far as reloading dies go I would get the RCBS the Lee are cheaper but the expander rod is the wrong size for the Russian it's .308 the RCBS comes with .308 and .310 expander balls,.310 is the correct size to use with .311 and .312 bullets.
I use Graf brass http://www.grafs.com/product/181582
Bullets
http://www.grafs.com/product/165923
http://www.grafs.com/product/165924
CCI LR primers and Reloader #15 powder.
Buy these at your local gun shop or reloading supply place to save on the Hazmat fee.
I trim my cases with the Lee trimmer,cutter and stud
http://www.grafs.com/product/167234
http://www.grafs.com/product/167199.
I use the Lyman #48 manual for about everything I reload for.
armoredman
Member
I loaded it for some time, deleted my load info when I sold the rifles and equipment.
Oddly enough, just found a pristine 20 round paperwrapped bundle of surplus ammo, think it's Alabanian.
Oddly enough, just found a pristine 20 round paperwrapped bundle of surplus ammo, think it's Alabanian.
dwave
Member
I reload for the M/N Russian made. I use 51.1 grs. of Varget with a .311 Sierra 125 gr. SP. Pretty good accuracy. Oh, the brass is Winchester, and I use CCI BR-2 LR Bench Rest primers.
QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW
Member
ya i go the 300 round tin from wideners. but i was just thinking for something else.
its just a plinking rifle, then it will be retired when i get my 91/30 to make a long range rifle (200yard) which will get a new stock, scope kit, pod, etc.
its just a plinking rifle, then it will be retired when i get my 91/30 to make a long range rifle (200yard) which will get a new stock, scope kit, pod, etc.
QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW
Member
ya i go the 300 round tin from wideners. but i was just thinking for something else.
its just a plinking rifle, then it will be retired when i get my 91/30 to make a long range rifle (200yard) which will get a new stock, scope kit, pod, etc.
its just a plinking rifle, then it will be retired when i get my 91/30 to make a long range rifle (200yard) which will get a new stock, scope kit, pod, etc.
RecoilRob
Member
Just a note...the Wideners 300rnd can is Bulgarian heavy ball and NOT reloadable brass. Nice ammo, though!
res45
Member
The RCBS FL set I bought at midway came with two expanders one was for .308 bullets the other expander ball was for .311 bullets I think I remember when I used my calipers on it measured .310 which would be correct for .311 or .312 bullets to give proper neck tension. You can use the Lee dies all you have to do is call Lee and order a expanding rod for 303 British and swap it out.
stubbicatt
Member
My RCBS 2 die set came with 2 expander balls.
Something to consider is a custom sizing die, as while these cartridges headspace on the rim, the shoulder dimensions of these chambers varies greatly, and if you keep setting the shoulder back, you will get case failures at the shoulder junction.
CH Tool and Die will make you a custom sizing die to fit your chamber for not a whole lot of money, and your brass will last indefinitely.
Something to consider is a custom sizing die, as while these cartridges headspace on the rim, the shoulder dimensions of these chambers varies greatly, and if you keep setting the shoulder back, you will get case failures at the shoulder junction.
CH Tool and Die will make you a custom sizing die to fit your chamber for not a whole lot of money, and your brass will last indefinitely.
FieroCDSP
Member
www.classicarms.us and scroll halfway down the page. He's got brass cased Bulgarian yellow-tip surplus $55 for 300 rounds, $199 for 1200. I'm not sure these are reloadable, but that least they're brass and can be recycled for cash. Supposed to feed great. Corrosive, though, so take your windex. Also supposed to be great for accuracy.
fireflyfather
Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2006
- Messages
- 807
Any Bulgarian surplus is going to be berdan primed. Unless you have berdan decapper and the correct berdan primers, forget about it. The only east block reloadable stuff is the Wolf Gold/Hotshot/Prvi Partizan stuff (same Serbian factory, several brand names). That's all modern ammo, however, at about $12-20 per box. Same guys that make Graf's brass, as a matter of fact.
res45
Member
You can neck size with your FL dies,after you shoot the first Rds. adjust the die body up so it only resizes the neck. No point in buying another die and your case shoulders want be reworked each time either. You may have to lower your expander ball to clear the neck portion of the case.
Cacique500
Member
For those interested, there's a link on AR15 for a full can of JMS 02 (I'm not afiliated with listing):
http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=133&t=511757
Not sure if he's willing to ship but it's the only one I've seen listed for awhile.
http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=133&t=511757
Not sure if he's willing to ship but it's the only one I've seen listed for awhile.
kennedy
Member
I reload for a SVD russian tiger using S&b cases, much better accuracy then using mil surplus
- Status
