7.62X54R 85gr JHP

[singleshotbuff]

Gentlemen,

I picked up a partial box of Hornady .312" XTP HPs at last weekends gunshow. I want to make up a pest load for my M44. Nothing long range, just explosive performance inside of 50 yards.

Any idea as to powder charges? I was thinking of using 77% of the recommended charge weight for 110gr bullets, since 85grs is 77% of 110grs. But since I have a limited number of these bullets, I'd like some input from someone who has done this, I don't want to reinvent the wheel. Not looking for the last f.p.s., just a good, safe load for yard vermin. I have the following powders on hand, among others;

IMR-4895
SR-4756
IMR-800X
Unique
Red Dot
Blue Dot
IMR-4198
WC-860
IMR-7383
etc

Any ideas?

Thanks

SSB

[JeffinNZ]

OHHHHH those XTP's are really nasty varmint bullets. I used to pull FMJ's from mil surp 7.62X39 and transplant 100gr XTP's in them. They would vacate my SKS at 2500fps and LEVEL hares, goats and wallabies on the spot.

For reference I push a 115gr Lyman 311316 out of my .303 Brit over 18gr of 800X for just shy of 2300fps. You could load that in the 7.62X54 easily as the case is greater in volume.

You will have to watch the wee 85gr that they don't fly to bits en route to the target if you REALLY get them smoking.

[jhrosier]

SSB,
I wouldn't use the WC860 in a reduced load.
4198 or Unique should work OK.

If it was me, I would just pull some bullets from ball ammo and seat the 85s.

If the bullet doesn't get them, the muzzle blast will.:twisted:

Jack

[Spudgunr]

Got any 2230? I used something in the neighborhood of 45 grains of it in my nagant with the 100 grain XTP bullet. Never chrono'd it, but it sure exploded water jugs nicely! I go by the 308 loading data, they have some 110 grain plinker loads. The 7.62X54 case is a bit bigger than 308 and they can run similar pressures. So, I figure if I use a lighter bullet and don't go to the high end of the spectrum I should be pretty good to go.

[mroliver77]

SSBuff,
You can use the 110 data as it is. I cant find my old lyman manual but it would have a unique load.
J

[singleshotbuff]

Gentlemen,

Finally got to chronograph a few loads today, in my search for a good vermin load.
Since I have a limited # of the Hornady 85gr XTPs, I started load development with a few Hornady 71gr FMJs, to get me in the neighborhood, before completing load development with the XTPs. My goal is a vermin load in the 2500 f.p.s. range, which should provide impressive destruction with the XTP bullet.

Chronographed today;

Hornady 71gr, .311" FMJ

12grs Unique, 1920 f.p.s.
13grs Unique, 2095 f.p.s.
14grs Unique, 2265 f.p.s.
15grs Unique, 2410 f.p.s.

At this point, I decided to switch to the Hornady .312" XTP HP. Results were;

16grs Unique, 2305 f.p.s.

I ran outta daylight for the chronograph before I could shoot 17, 18, 19 & 20gr loads. I'll shoot those tomorrow and post the results.

Hopefully someone, besides me, will find this info useful and can be saved from reinventing the wheel if they need this type of load. I plan to use these loads for coons and oppossums in my yard this summer.

SSB

[JeffinNZ]

Well done.

That 85gr XTP will EVAPORATE when it hits something furry!!

[singleshotbuff]

Gentlemen,

I chronographed the remaining loads this morning.

17grs Unique, 2344 f.p.s.

18grs Unique, 2430 f.p.s.

19grs Unique, 2536 f.p.s.

20grs Unique, 2608 f.p.s.

I'm done with load development, as long as 20grs will group reasonably it will be my vermin load. Gonna load a handful to work out rear sight setting and then shoot a few for group. Then I'll load my last 20 bullets and keep the rounds near the gun for those pesky coons that get in my dog food barrel. Can't wait to see the terminal performance!!

SSB

[JeffinNZ]

"Terminal" is a particularly good choice of word.:drinks:

[corvette8n]

I have a Ruger 10/22 converted to .17 PMC/Aguila.
shoots flat as can be.

[mroliver77]

I have a Ruger 10/22 converted to .17 PMC/Aguila.
shoots flat as can be.

I venture to say that the rooskie lonskie 85 grainer will be just a might more spectacular on the masked banditos.
J

[singleshotbuff]

Gentlemen,

After a coupla weeks of really nasty weather, the temp finally cracked 40 here today, so I waded through the sloppy mud and shot my vermin loads at paper.

The range was only 25 yards, since it's too muddy to get to the 50 yard line, but that's the distance I'll mostly use these loads at anyway. I was shooting off my front yard bench, using sandbags under the forend but not the buttstock. There was a decent breeze from 9 o'clock and the sky was overcast.

In the picture, the top 2 shots were working out a rear sight setting (#2 on my M44), and the rest are part of the 5 round group. The shot to the left was a called flyer and the remaining 4 shots cut one ragged hole, as can be seen. Minute of vermin to be sure! I'm very happy with the results, can't wait to ventilate a coon with one of these pills.

Since I had a few rounds left, I tried to test "terminal performance" by shooting into half frozen 2 litre bottles of water. I fired 1 round into a single bottle and it pretty much exploded.

Next, I lined up 2 bottles of water/ice in an attempt to stop a bullet. Still nothing to recover, the first bottle exploded and the bullet blew the back out of the second bottle as it exited. I did find a few small jacket fragments on the ground behind the second bottle.

Next will be to shoot a live target, when the opportunity presents itself, and study the results.

So far, pending use on a coon, I am happy with how this little project turned out. Happy enough that I think I'll order another box of these bullets from MidwayUSA.

SSB

[wallacem]

This is great information. I found this because I have a box of the same 85 gr bullets I plan to use in the 7.62x39 Ruger Ranch bolt gun so I was looking for loading info. I think I will jump to the 20 gr of Unique and try them. Thanks for your work. Wallacem in Ga

[rockrat]

I wouldn't load 20 gr of unique in the x39 case. Big difference in case capacity

[Fitz]

there is a article called ''The Load'' by C.E. Harris it is a most excellent read that you will enjoy it mentions the 7.62 x 54 R and calls for 13gr. of Red Dot , I have tried it in most of my military rifles with good results.

[wallacem]

Update: I was planning to go with your 20 gr of Unique but got to reading and decided on another start. 20 gr of 2400 powder. I tried them today. they are somewhere about the same speed, maybe a little faster to about 2800 fps. I was amazed. At fifty yards they were five in the same hole, really, and the same point of impact as my regular 125 gr bullets do. This was in a Ruger Ranch Bolt action. Wallacem inGa