Light load for 7.62x54r

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • PMD354

    Active Member
    I shot my 1943 Mosin using mil surplus 147gr copper washed steel core ammo. The problem is I had my shoulder operated on a few years ago and the recoil was too much. I was wondering if anyone has a light load with a lot less kick. All I am going to do is punch holes in paper at 100 yards. I have red dot and IMR 4895 plus a few other powders on hand.
     

    j8064

    Garrett Co Hooligan #1
    Feb 23, 2008
    11,635
    Deep Creek
    Surplus 7.62x54R ammo is a lot of fun to shoot, but it's brutal on the shoulder.

    OP, you can load some mild rounds using CB's from a Lee .311/150 gr mold. I use 28 gr of IMR-3031 to power the boolits for plinkers. But there are other powders like Unique and 2400 that work fine.

    There's a good CE Harris article on the internet with lots of info (attached below). That's what I used to work up my mild plinking rounds.

    Good luck and let your shoulder stay in one piece.

    :thumbsup:
     

    Attachments

    • CAST BULLET LOADS FOR MILITARY RIFLES.doc
      37 KB · Views: 174
    • 7.62x54r Capture.JPG
      7.62x54r Capture.JPG
      51.1 KB · Views: 668

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    Old school cast bullet load data has data for pistol powders.

    Newer School for really light loads is Trail Boss . I don't know if IMR specifically has printed loads for x54R , but their general recomendation is 50% load density for starting load.

    If you actually were thinking mid range, aka "medium" , IMR/ Hogdons recomends 2/3 by weight of "normal starting load " of 4895 .
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Lyman 314299 with 16 grains of 2400 will give you about 1500 FPS and small sized groups at 100 yards. This is my experience with a M39 for some 25 years. Arthritis got too bad so I gave it away last year. The M39 trigger makes it easier to get small groups.
     

    65by55

    Member
    Mar 30, 2013
    36
    Rockpile, MD
    50 grains of accurate (western) 2700 behind a 123 grain AK bullet. It's easy on the recoil, no fireball from the muzzle and four holes touching @ 100 yards.

    No signs of excessive pressure in my 91/30. It works well for me !
     

    Brickman301

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 23, 2015
    2,534
    FREDERICK, MD
    Gas checked cast bullet or a jacketed bullet with 13 grains of red dot. Ed Harris wrote a lot about 13 grains of red dot, search up "the load", Ed Harris.
     

    PMD354

    Active Member
    Old school cast bullet load data has data for pistol powders.

    Newer School for really light loads is Trail Boss . I don't know if IMR specifically has printed loads for x54R , but their general recomendation is 50% load density for starting load.

    If you actually were thinking mid range, aka "medium" , IMR/ Hogdons recomends 2/3 by weight of "normal starting load " of 4895 .

    I found a load in my lyman book that calls for 48gr of IMR 4895 pushing a 125gr jacked bullet. So if I go by the 2/3 rule that would be a 32gr load.
     

    PMD354

    Active Member
    Gas checked cast bullet or a jacketed bullet with 13 grains of red dot. Ed Harris wrote a lot about 13 grains of red dot, search up "the load", Ed Harris.

    I think that I will try this load also. Like I stated I'm just looking for something to punch holes in paper at 100 yards without killing my already sore shoulder.

    I would like to thank all of you who have responded.

    Michael
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    A couple of ways to do this.

    One is using H4895 and reduced loads. Hodgdon has info on their site, but basically you can use 60% of MAX load as a starting point.

    In the Garand world, they load light bullets with just about the same powder charge as the heavier bullets. 125 grain seems to be popular.

    I thought that 123 grain AK bullets might be good to try.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Most of Ed's early load work ups ('70's - '80's) were from when we were active in the Cast Bullet Association. For shooting paper, most of us used 2400 powder, 4895 was used in heavier cast bullet hunting loads. Some years later (how much later I've forgotten), he did something similar and used 13gns of Red Dot. The Lee 313-150gn GC was designed by Ed specifically for the SKS which became more readily available sometime in the late '80's.

    Be careful when shooting reduced loads with rifles like the Grand, FN49 and SVT's as they have long op rods that can get bent. When H4831 was real cheap, like $10 for 8 pounds, a guy by the name of Mike (forget his last name) from PA developed an adjustable gas plug for the Garand so we could shoot it. If you added a couple of grains of Bullseye and filled the case with H4831, you could shoot 150 gn surplus bullets without worrying about bending the rod. They didn't shoot fast though so you would have to count your clicks to adjust for when changing between 4895 and 4831. You also had to remember to put the standard plug back in. :lol:
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    I have seen threads on the 13 grains of Red Dot. It seems to be a universal bolt action light load. Also the 2400 loads.

    The Garand light loads use the same powder as the full power loads, but with a lighter bullet for less recoil. No op rod problems.

    Go over toe CMP Forums to see a number of threads about reduced recoil Garand loads.
     

    PMD354

    Active Member
    I just got the 7.62x54r die set. I had to order a new sizer/decapper. The one that comes with the set is .308. The one I ordered is.310. I have some 125gr Berry bullets comming. I think that I am going to start with "the load" 13gr of red dot as I have plenty on hand for shotgun.

    Thanks again for the responses

    Michael
     

    Brickman301

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 23, 2015
    2,534
    FREDERICK, MD
    Glad I could help with "the load", I use it a lot. It makes the mosin's recoil feel like shooting a .223, or maybe less. I will tell you, it will be shooting way low. Just keep raising you sight up to get you on target. My M39's sights are set to 600 meters, to shoot at 100 yards.
    That's with a 150 grain bullet.
    Good luck, be safe and have fun.
     

    PMD354

    Active Member
    I missed my match this weekend due to some kind of flu. Have the empties tumbled and resized/deprimed. I will put together 50 rounds of "the load" and get to the range to see where they are hitting. I will give a report on group size and point of impact.

    Thanks again

    Michael
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    I don't know if this helps you or not but I use a brit 303 neck sizing die on my 7.62x54r. I reload with Sierra .311 bullets also.
    I found the 308 bullets would swim in my barrel and was crappy at 50 yards.

    I have yet to find the brass not chamber in any of my Mosins but for the most part, I use the reload formula developed for my PU sniper. I'll once and a while feed those to my Finn Mosin with no issues. If you only have one Mosin, you may consider neck sizing only. The brit 303 neck sizer is a common choice for many Mosin folks and was a suggestion given to me by one of the resident Mosin experts years ago.

    question, what berry's bullet did you order? Do you have a link? Was this something designed for the SKS/AK?
     

    PMD354

    Active Member
    I found once fired 7.62x54r brass at www.diamondkbrass.com. I also got the berry bullets, 123 gr spire point, from the same site. He was selling the brass in lots of 25. I bought 5 bags. I was moaning when I was going through them. Some of the cases had dings in the neck and BIG dents between the neck and rim. After sorting them out I wound up with 160 good cases. My guess is he knew that some were damaged and threw in extra. I full lenght resized them. I then made "the load". 13 grs red dot. I have not made it to the range yet to see how they print.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,930
    Messages
    7,259,465
    Members
    33,350
    Latest member
    Rotorboater

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom