7.62x54r load

[uneasyrider77]

I'm new to loading cast bullets and am looking for a good starting point for my nagant I have a lee CTL312-160-2R mold just looking for starting point to develop loads can anyone help?

[ukrifleman]

You don't say if you are completely new to reloading or just cast ammo.
If you haven't done so already, buy a good reloading manual such as Lee's Modern Reloading, it will give you masses of information as well as load data. They also have some good tutorial videos on their Lee Precision web-site.

I suggest you slug the bore to determine which bullet diameter suits your particular rifle.

There are quite a few powders that will work well with cast bullets such as 2400, Unique or Accurate 5744, check out the manufacturers load data for further information.

I don't use this bullet in my M/N, but I am sure there are many experienced cast shooters here who will give you good advice.
It takes minutes to load a round and nano-seconds after you have squeezed the trigger to realise you got it wrong!
Above all, get some background information and knowledge BEFORE you load anything!
ukrifleman.

[WILCO]

I'm new to loading cast bullets and am looking for a good starting point for my nagant I have a lee CTL312-160-2R mold just looking for starting point to develop loads can anyone help?

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?13425-Cast-Bullet-Loads-for-Military-Rifles-Article

[uneasyrider77]

i have been reloading since i was about 8 yo but moved away from that area and never had my own equipment until now i have only loaded jacketed bullets i have a lot of older books and some newer ones but none list anything for cast bullets below 200gr

[leadman]

Cast is fairly forgiving when loading for reduced velocity. Note that the loads with the fast "pistol or shotgun" powders are not low pressure, just low velocity.
If you have data for the 200gr cast bullets this should be safe with your lighter 160gr bullet. When you go from lighter bullet data and use it for a heavier bullet is when the trouble starts.
There are issues when using W296 or H110 with other than data listed in a manual so be aware of this.
There is much info here so try a search and see what you can turn up.

[Larry Gibson]

I'm new to loading cast bullets and am looking for a good starting point for my nagant I have a lee CTL312-160-2R mold just looking for starting point to develop loads can anyone help?

What powder(s) do you have?

Unique, Red Dot, 2400, 4227, 4759, 5744 and 4198 are all good ones for that bullet in the MN. 3031 and RL7 can also be usefull. Other powders to but need to know what you have (or can get ?) to give a "starting point".

Larry Gibson

[Maven]

uneayrider77, You can also look here: http://www.google.com/cse?cx=001951264366462437169%3Aggn3vg-bjum&ie=UTF-8&q=Mosin+Nagant&sa=Search Scroll down until you come to the CastBoolits material (at least 10pages of it!). You're sure to find loading suggestions there.

[mac1911]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?13425-Cast-Bullet-Loads-for-Military-Rifles-Article some good starting points here.
so far 2400 has down ok with my 54r beginings....and do slug your bore at minimum will save you some time by not casting/loading boolits that will not do well no matter what........i know nothing of this, really.

[khmer6]

I'm using the same mold. Scooped up a pail of wc860 and topped off. Seated out as far as I can to chamber

[skeet1]

The Harris load of 16 gr. of 2400 is hard to beat and a great place to start with the 314299.

Ken

[garym1a2]

Do you think this boolit with Bullseye or Unique will work for a low velocity plinker if no gas check is used?
Just with Lee tumbe lube.

What powder(s) do you have?

Unique, Red Dot, 2400, 4227, 4759, 5744 and 4198 are all good ones for that bullet in the MN. 3031 and RL7 can also be usefull. Other powders to but need to know what you have (or can get ?) to give a "starting point".

Larry Gibson

[Outpost75]

The Harris load of 16 gr. of 2400 is hard to beat and a great place to start with the 314299.

Ken

That has been my experience also.

But if you want the ultimate cheap load, not having to use GCs, about 7 grains of any pistol or shotgun powder you have lying around will also work for low velocity plinking. Takes 500 yard elevation on the battle sight to zero at 100 yards, but nothing more economical and more accurate than ball ammo!

[repawn]

I'm new to loading cast bullets and am looking for a good starting point for my nagant I have a lee CTL312-160-2R mold just looking for starting point to develop loads can anyone help?

I'm in the same boat - been reloading jacketed for some time now - plenty of data out there for that. Just started casting with this mold - want to put together some light gallery loads. Powders are scarce here - but I do have h4895 and Universal Clays - I have seen the light loads that use unique - was wondering if there would be a problem working up a load using its starting data.

[Hang Fire]

I'm in the same boat - been reloading jacketed for some time now - plenty of data out there for that. Just started casting with this mold - want to put together some light gallery loads. Powders are scarce here - but I do have h4895 and Universal Clays - I have seen the light loads that use unique - was wondering if there would be a problem working up a load using its starting data.

Just me, but I would try it. Many consider Hodgdon Universal Clays to be a near-twin to Unique and is supposed to burn cleaner.

Other's mileage may differ.

[repawn]

Thanks for the info - I will try the light load of universal with an non-gc boolit. Just want to plink at steel at 100 yards and give my wife a chance to shoot more than 5 rounds before she is done.

[JJ Mc FRAG]

My current favorite load for my MN 91/30 is 180gr. GC boolit sized .311 and
driven at 1300 fps. by 14 gr. of SR4759. The powder is held in place with
a pinch of kapok for consistent ignition. This is a great load for dumping
grey squirrels and feral cats.
72821
:wink:

[uneasyrider77]

What powder(s) do you have?

Unique, Red Dot, 2400, 4227, 4759, 5744 and 4198 are all good ones for that bullet in the MN. 3031 and RL7 can also be usefull. Other powders to but need to know what you have (or can get ?) to give a "starting point".

Larry Gibson

been pretty hard to find any of these powders around here but finally found some 5744 and found info for 180gr boolit using 20.5-31.5gr should i reduce that a little or run in that range?

[Larry Gibson]

been pretty hard to find any of these powders around here but finally found some 5744 and found info for 180gr boolit using 20.5-31.5gr should i reduce that a little or run in that range?

If you are using the same bullet (160 gr) the OP mentions or a 180 cast then start at 20 gr and use a 3/4 gr Dacron filler. Work up to 28 gr in 1 gr increments. Accuracy going south will tell you when enough is enough in that range. You can then tweak the load just below that.

Larry Gibson

[Larry Gibson]

Do you think this boolit with Bullseye or Unique will work for a low velocity plinker if no gas check is used?
Just with Lee tumbe lube.

Sorry for the late answer but that bullet will do fine with Unique. Start at 10 gr and work up to 14 gr. No filler is needed.

Bullseye will also work for excellent loads up to 1200 fps. Start at 4 gr and work up to 7 gr or so.

Larry Gibson

[res45]

With the CTL .312 160 gr. GC bullet 16.0 grs. 2400 or 13.0 grs. Red Dot worked like a champ in my M44 right off the bat with no need to experiment any further.

My Lee mold drops the bullets right at .314" and gas checks are applied with the Lee .314" push through sizer,bullets are TL'ed once before and once after sizing.

First 5 shot test group.
http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w633/res45/303030_zps2266c23c.jpg
http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w633/res45/Baseball002_zps7a3c67c3.jpg

[garym1a2]

7 gr of BE was about like shooting a BB gun, nice accuracy at 50 yards just a bit of drop. The Unique I tried was 12 Gr and accuracy was OK at 50 yards with less drop. The gun was pretty much sighted in with the Unque and just one notch up on the back sight. Speed was around 1700fps if my crono was right. I am trying 12.7 gr of Unique next as I like the way it shoots better at distance without so much drop.
Recoil is near nothing with both loads.


Sorry for the late answer but that bullet will do fine with Unique. Start at 10 gr and work up to 14 gr. No filler is needed.

Bullseye will also work for excellent loads up to 1200 fps. Start at 4 gr and work up to 7 gr or so.

Larry Gibson

[mac1911]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t196/jrm7800/101_3593_zpsbda115f4.jpg (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/jrm7800/media/101_3593_zpsbda115f4.jpg.html)

not the best groups but its a start. Im short on brass so I loaded up several "4 shot test groups" lower group is with trailboss. group up on the right is 2400. I didnt change the sight settings so poi vs poa changes alot with changes in loads. Shot at 50 yards from a rest. These loads out perform the fmj surplus even at 50 yards . I also got some good results with reduced loads of 4895, no pics though

[Piedmont]

That has been my experience also.

But if you want the ultimate cheap load, not having to use GCs, about 7 grains of any pistol or shotgun powder you have lying around will also work for low velocity plinking. Takes 500 yard elevation on the battle sight to zero at 100 yards, but nothing more economical and more accurate than ball ammo!

I took that advice of yours a few years back and was just amazed at how well my Finn Mosins shot culls without the GC and the 7 grain load. In some cases outshooting my well-put-together gas check loads.

[Donor8x56r]

13 Gr of Red Dot/Promo works for my M91 Mosin but didn't work at all in my friends Polish M44.

I'm waiting for arrival of Lee pistol molds in proper size-less lead to pour,no GC to buy,way less powder needed and I might get better accuracy.

Also new shooter shoulder friendly load!