Loading 7.62x54 question

[reloader62]

Loads for 7.62x54 are as usually for components I dont have ,Ive always done well with making my own 'data' but I want to see if this new load might be a problem before I test them with anyone here that have knowledge. Im using a 174gr FMJBT ,Ramshot Tac {because thats what I have enough of in powder} ,With looking at comparable cases from other data I come up with starting at 41 gr to 45 max. Ramshot has no data for the 54' Any help appreciated.

[HARRYMPOPE]

Cast loads using 30-06 data is 100% fine.On your own on jacketed stuff.

Water capcity-

68g 30-06 /64g for 7.62 x 54 (roughly of course,varies with mfg)

HMP

[Dutch4122]

Cast loads using 30-06 data is 100% fine.On your own on jacketed stuff.
Water capcity-
68g 30-06 /64g for 7.62 x 54 (roughly of course,varies with mfg)
HMP

:goodpost:

Due to the differences in capacity of different case brands I always err a little more on the cautious side. As an example, the above differences in case capacity come out to the 7.62x54r case having 6% less case capacity than the 30-06. So, using jacketed 30-06 data with the same weight bullet in the 7.62x54R I would reduce the starting & maximum book listed loads by 6% to 8%. Then work up carefully from the reduced new starting load to the reduced new maximum load.

Hope this helps,

[turbo1889]

I would politely suggest you look at 308-Win data rather then 30-06 to build your 7.62x54R loads. My main reason being that the maximum acceptable pressure levels for the 7.62x54R is less then either the 30-06 or 308-Win so best pull the data from the cartridge that is slightly smaller rather then the one that is slightly bigger.

Plus as an added bonus for your application there is a lot of load data for using Ramshot Tac in 308-Win.

[HARRYMPOPE]

Lyman/ideal suggested using 30-06 cast load for years and didn't list 7.62 x 54 cast data separately.i find the 30-06 loads with similar bullet weight accuracy to be quite good.I ma talking loads in the 1400-2000 fps range BTW.

HMP

[Dutch4122]

The reason I like to use 30-06 reduced load data in the 7.62x54r is for the slower burning powders listed. I've just recently began work with a custom 210 grn boolit cut by Mountain Molds of my own design. The powder that I'm using with this boolit in the 29 inch bbl Mosin Nagant is IMR-7828ssc.

[Larry Gibson]

Concur with turbo1889.

CIP (European testing house and somewhat equivilent of SAAMI) lists 57,000 psi (that's piezo not CUP) as the MAP (Maximum Average Pressure). Having pressure tested numerous lots of milsurp 7.62x54R from the year '27 to the late '90s in my Finn M39 I 've found all to be quite a bit under that CIP MAP.

Ramshot Tac is a medium burning powder comparable to 4895 though probably not gr for gr. Using a chrono graph in load development and watching for the usuall pressure signs I'd use starting 4895 loads and work up until the velocities equaled published data. Of course if any pressure signs came up I'd stop.

I use 46.5 gr of H4895 under the Sierra 174 MK in Norma cases with WLR primers as my Russian 182 gr "D" "sniper" load equivelent for my Russian M91/30 sniper rifle. It tracks to the ranges in the PU scope and is a moa load in that rifle. In the Finn M39 (SAKO) it runs 2666 fps at 44,200 psi(M43). I'd start at 41 gr of TAC and work up in 1 gr increments untill I hit 2600 - 2700 fps, depending on the barrel length of the rifle, or pressure signs develop. That's what I'd do if i wanted to develop a load with TAC and the 174 FMJBT bullet.

Larry Gibson

[turbo1889]

I agree about the slow powder with cast. But in this case the OP is asking about jacketed bullet loads and he has already selected a fairly fast burning powder. My post is thus tilted to one direction due to that info given by the OP.

[Dark Helmet]

+ 1 on Larry's data- if you want more velocity later, try Ramshot Hunter

[tomme boy]

One thing I found on a few of the Mosins that I had was to use a mag primer. Never could figure out why, but I always had poor ignition until I went to a mag primer. The only thing that seems to make any since was that they all had a very long throat. With the mag primer it helped build peak pressure faster. A very slight crimp also seemed to help the starting PSI. And I also had better luck with stick powder. The ball powder was a complete waste of time.