What gr 7.62x54r ammo

[deadeye1122]

I have a PSL and a M-38. I've been told not to shoot heavy ball in the PSL as it will bend the firing pin. Where do you draw the line on heavy vs light? Seems that most surplus is 147 gr and the most popular is 174 gr. Thanks in advance. deadeye.

 

[mberoose]

You can shoot whatever you want out of your M38, my M44 eats 182 grain Russian & Bulgarian heavy ball without issue. For your PSL, stick to the 147 grain and don't look back. I personally like the Czech silver tip light ball. Can't say I've heard of 174 grain surplus, but I wouldn't risk it in the PSL.

 

[Ash]

The carbines will thump your shoulder badly with heavy ball. 203gr stuff really makes it tough to get through multiple mag loads. The PSL, as with the M1 Garand and other autos, was designed to use a specific bullet weight. Too heavy creates too much pressure (the bullet is not out of the bore yet and the pressure spike is higher than with lighter grain) and slams the carrier rear-wards. 147-149 is ideal for the PSL and more comfortable for the carbine, too.

Think Garand vs 1903. The latter digests anything that head spaces correctly. The former can bend/break its oprod with heavy stuff.