For those who don't reload, and don't want to shoot crap surplus ammo, Hornady now has Match 7.62X54R for your Mosin. It's 174 Grn @ 2660 FPS
7.62X54R Match
7.62X54R Match
7.62X54R Match Ammo
- Thread starter kraigWY
- Start date
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
Interesting...Grafs sells some with a 150 grain SST that I'd seen.
Now if only Hornady would sell the damn brass...
Interesting...Grafs sells some with a 150 grain SST that I'd seen.
Now if only Hornady would sell the damn brass...
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wannashootit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Interesting...Grafs sells some with a 150 grain SST that I'd seen.
Now if only Hornady would sell the damn brass... </div></div>
Winchester sells 7.62X54 brass.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wannashootit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Interesting...Grafs sells some with a 150 grain SST that I'd seen.
Now if only Hornady would sell the damn brass... </div></div>
Winchester sells 7.62X54 brass.
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
I don't really like the Winchester/S&B brass because the primer pockets are ridiculously tight.
But I'll take what I can get.
If you know anyplace that has brass in stock I'm all ears.
No one has anything other than Lapua or Norma.
I don't really like the Winchester/S&B brass because the primer pockets are ridiculously tight.
But I'll take what I can get.
If you know anyplace that has brass in stock I'm all ears.
No one has anything other than Lapua or Norma.
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
I haven't tried Hornady, since I handload. But, it's probably a good option for those who don't.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wannashootit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't really like the Winchester/S&B brass because the primer pockets are ridiculously tight.
But I'll take what I can get.
If you know anyplace that has brass in stock I'm all ears.
No one has anything other than Lapua or Norma. </div></div>
I've had the same experience. Winchester primers seemed to work best for me, but even they are tight.
I haven't tried Hornady, since I handload. But, it's probably a good option for those who don't.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wannashootit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't really like the Winchester/S&B brass because the primer pockets are ridiculously tight.
But I'll take what I can get.
If you know anyplace that has brass in stock I'm all ears.
No one has anything other than Lapua or Norma. </div></div>
I've had the same experience. Winchester primers seemed to work best for me, but even they are tight.
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
PRVI Serbian (*I have heard that they make the Wolf-Gold series)
Brass boxer primed and good for reloading
150SP
182 FMJBT
$16.00 a box form mid---
decent ammo at a good price
PRVI Serbian (*I have heard that they make the Wolf-Gold series)
Brass boxer primed and good for reloading
150SP
182 FMJBT
$16.00 a box form mid---
decent ammo at a good price
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
I bought http://www.allans-armory.com/aapictures.php?ItemId=200603CZ , he's shipping her to my FFL tomorrow. Is Hornady offering that ammo through commercial companies yet?
Jim
I bought http://www.allans-armory.com/aapictures.php?ItemId=200603CZ , he's shipping her to my FFL tomorrow. Is Hornady offering that ammo through commercial companies yet?
Jim
C
captrichardson
Guest
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
Check with Graf & Sons for brass they usually have it in stock:
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/771?
Best of Luck,
M Richardson
Check with Graf & Sons for brass they usually have it in stock:
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/771?
Best of Luck,
M Richardson
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lord Jim</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought http://www.allans-armory.com/aapictures.php?ItemId=200603CZ , he's shipping her to my FFL tomorrow. Is Hornady offering that ammo through commercial companies yet?
Jim </div></div>
Sweet, Jim! I've been tempted by those, as well. We expect a full report when you get her!
I've seen the Hornady ammo advertised at a couple places, I think it was Graf's and Midway, but you may want to double check me on that. Graf's has been out of the Prvi brass for a while and it seems to sell fast when they get it in. They have Lapua in stock and if you have a C&R, their dealer discounts are excellent (as in, blowing Midway out of the water. Don't know what's up with Midway, lately, but they're rapidly pricing themselves out of my business).
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lord Jim</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought http://www.allans-armory.com/aapictures.php?ItemId=200603CZ , he's shipping her to my FFL tomorrow. Is Hornady offering that ammo through commercial companies yet?
Jim </div></div>
Sweet, Jim! I've been tempted by those, as well. We expect a full report when you get her!
I've seen the Hornady ammo advertised at a couple places, I think it was Graf's and Midway, but you may want to double check me on that. Graf's has been out of the Prvi brass for a while and it seems to sell fast when they get it in. They have Lapua in stock and if you have a C&R, their dealer discounts are excellent (as in, blowing Midway out of the water. Don't know what's up with Midway, lately, but they're rapidly pricing themselves out of my business).
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
How is your accuracy with the 7.62X54R i have yet to play around much with this rifle yet... I bought one from a budy for fun and was currious about it..
How is your accuracy with the 7.62X54R i have yet to play around much with this rifle yet... I bought one from a budy for fun and was currious about it..
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
Thanks for the info. I'm going to run some in my Mosin sniper and Romanian PSL and see if it's GTG.
Thanks for the info. I'm going to run some in my Mosin sniper and Romanian PSL and see if it's GTG.
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How is your accuracy with the 7.62X54R</div></div>
Not that bad, I only shoot reloads, so I can't speak for the new Hornady stuff.
When I say not that bad, after I got the elevation problems fixed on my Mosin (shot 8 inches high at 100 when I got it) it shoots a hair over 3 inches. Not bench rest grade, but I don't shoot bench rest I shoot CMP GSM games, all you need is 3.5 MOA to clean the targets so in reality, my Mosin can, I can't. Its the shooter not the gun once you get below 3-4 inches on a Mil Spec-As Issured Rifle.
To me the Mosin shines in Offhand, a lot to do with the long barrel. But what I gain in offhand I loose in rapid fire, it's not a Springfield.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How is your accuracy with the 7.62X54R</div></div>
Not that bad, I only shoot reloads, so I can't speak for the new Hornady stuff.
When I say not that bad, after I got the elevation problems fixed on my Mosin (shot 8 inches high at 100 when I got it) it shoots a hair over 3 inches. Not bench rest grade, but I don't shoot bench rest I shoot CMP GSM games, all you need is 3.5 MOA to clean the targets so in reality, my Mosin can, I can't. Its the shooter not the gun once you get below 3-4 inches on a Mil Spec-As Issured Rifle.
To me the Mosin shines in Offhand, a lot to do with the long barrel. But what I gain in offhand I loose in rapid fire, it's not a Springfield.
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
The thing is, you don't know how this match ammo will shoot until you try it. The same goes for the Soviet 7N1 "Sniper" ammo that was developed for the SVD. Some guys have great results with it. Some guys just so-so. Others not very good, at all.
I currently have 25 Mosins (twelve snipers/ex-snipers) and have owned almost that many more, in the past. I've found that a lot of them can be extremely picky about ammo. What shoots MOA in one, may only be 3 MOA in the next one and <span style="font-style: italic">that</span> rifle could have been built in the same arsenal, the same year and be in exactly the same condition. So, there's some variation, for sure.
Most of my standard M91/30s will all do about 2 MOA when I find their preferred ammo (I'm talking surplus, for the most part. All of them seem to improve with handloads, of course and most available commercial ammo seems to hold no consistent accuracy advantages, in my experience). However, another thing to consider is the condition of the bore, the stock fit, the trigger, etc. Most of the rifles being bought nowadays are refurbs that were slapped together from random parts and restamped to match. The stocks may be war weary and compressed or warped. The triggers have had no attention in fitting and it's my belief that most refurbs will not shoot as well as they did when they first came off the production line, if only for these factors, alone. In other words, they take some tuning.
My main point is, however, that you need to be sure the gun fits like it should in the stock and the trigger is where it needs to be (a standard 91/30 trigger is never likely to be "match grade", however). Then, you can start running through different types of ammo. The "best" could be Hornady, Wolf, or even Albanian surplus. You just don't know. Now, for the guys who don't reload and/or can't/won't use surplus ammo, the Hornady stuff probably has a slight edge in it's consistency, as far as commercial 54r goes. So, that's at least a step in the right direction.
John
The thing is, you don't know how this match ammo will shoot until you try it. The same goes for the Soviet 7N1 "Sniper" ammo that was developed for the SVD. Some guys have great results with it. Some guys just so-so. Others not very good, at all.
I currently have 25 Mosins (twelve snipers/ex-snipers) and have owned almost that many more, in the past. I've found that a lot of them can be extremely picky about ammo. What shoots MOA in one, may only be 3 MOA in the next one and <span style="font-style: italic">that</span> rifle could have been built in the same arsenal, the same year and be in exactly the same condition. So, there's some variation, for sure.
Most of my standard M91/30s will all do about 2 MOA when I find their preferred ammo (I'm talking surplus, for the most part. All of them seem to improve with handloads, of course and most available commercial ammo seems to hold no consistent accuracy advantages, in my experience). However, another thing to consider is the condition of the bore, the stock fit, the trigger, etc. Most of the rifles being bought nowadays are refurbs that were slapped together from random parts and restamped to match. The stocks may be war weary and compressed or warped. The triggers have had no attention in fitting and it's my belief that most refurbs will not shoot as well as they did when they first came off the production line, if only for these factors, alone. In other words, they take some tuning.
My main point is, however, that you need to be sure the gun fits like it should in the stock and the trigger is where it needs to be (a standard 91/30 trigger is never likely to be "match grade", however). Then, you can start running through different types of ammo. The "best" could be Hornady, Wolf, or even Albanian surplus. You just don't know. Now, for the guys who don't reload and/or can't/won't use surplus ammo, the Hornady stuff probably has a slight edge in it's consistency, as far as commercial 54r goes. So, that's at least a step in the right direction.
John
C
captrichardson
Guest
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
Sorta off topic, but related,
Most people load the 7.62x54R with a .308 bullet, however due to "loose bores" being fairly common, you may actually do better with a .311 bullet.
I checked the bore in my PSL, and found that it was on the loose/large size, so I tried some of the Sierra .311 174 GR HPBT MK, and my group size shrank from 2-3 MOA to around 1 MOA.
Obviously running a .311 bullet in a tight/small bore could be a bad thing, so make sure you check your bore before you try them.
Best of Luck,
M Richardson
Sorta off topic, but related,
Most people load the 7.62x54R with a .308 bullet, however due to "loose bores" being fairly common, you may actually do better with a .311 bullet.
I checked the bore in my PSL, and found that it was on the loose/large size, so I tried some of the Sierra .311 174 GR HPBT MK, and my group size shrank from 2-3 MOA to around 1 MOA.
Obviously running a .311 bullet in a tight/small bore could be a bad thing, so make sure you check your bore before you try them.
Best of Luck,
M Richardson
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
The 7.62x54r is, by design, a .310-.312 bullet. Not .308. The exceptions would be for some of the Finn target rifles and the 28/30. If using a .308 bullet, I would expect it to be loose, because it's out of spec.
The 7.62x54r is, by design, a .310-.312 bullet. Not .308. The exceptions would be for some of the Finn target rifles and the 28/30. If using a .308 bullet, I would expect it to be loose, because it's out of spec.
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
Which is why I find it puzzling in the least that most commercial ammo is loaded with .308...maybe they're worried about someone shooting it out of a Fin and blowing it up.
I'm just glad I handload.
Which is why I find it puzzling in the least that most commercial ammo is loaded with .308...maybe they're worried about someone shooting it out of a Fin and blowing it up.
I'm just glad I handload.
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
If you folks would like a laugh, If someone has a good rifle with 7.62 X 39 barrel on it, they'd be shocked at the accuracy you can get even with ChiCom steel cased ammo. And yes, no case head separation. An old friend of mine did this with one of his convertible rifles and we had a good laugh over it. Me?? I stick with US .30 cal from an accurized 03, to an M1C or D to an NM'ed M14 or M1A these days. Yes, there was a time when I worked on M14s.
If you folks would like a laugh, If someone has a good rifle with 7.62 X 39 barrel on it, they'd be shocked at the accuracy you can get even with ChiCom steel cased ammo. And yes, no case head separation. An old friend of mine did this with one of his convertible rifles and we had a good laugh over it. Me?? I stick with US .30 cal from an accurized 03, to an M1C or D to an NM'ed M14 or M1A these days. Yes, there was a time when I worked on M14s.
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
The Hornady website and PDF catalog lists:174gr BTHP bullet at 2800ft/sec at the muzzle out of a 24 inch barrel, has any one verified this with a chrono? If this is true, that would mean about 2900ft/sec out of a 28.7inch Mosin barrel, which is a peppy… can anyone confirm, and what is the B.C. on this bullet.
The Hornady website and PDF catalog lists:174gr BTHP bullet at 2800ft/sec at the muzzle out of a 24 inch barrel, has any one verified this with a chrono? If this is true, that would mean about 2900ft/sec out of a 28.7inch Mosin barrel, which is a peppy… can anyone confirm, and what is the B.C. on this bullet.
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
Could be- I haven't found any posts from guys that chrono their Mosin loads for some reason.
I need to get one...
According to Hodgdon, I was estimating (no load data for a 174 SMK) velocity at about 2300-2400, but I was shocked to be hitting 3" high at 300 based on what the ballistic program said it should be. Based on the come-ups needed at 300 and 600 yards, I was getting a MV of around 2700 out of my (cut) 22" barrel- and that's with only 43.5 of Varget and I'm sure I can get up to 46 or more...
It's not supposed to be that fast, so I was puzzled. I need to verify, but the computer sez it is, what it is...
Could be- I haven't found any posts from guys that chrono their Mosin loads for some reason.
I need to get one...
According to Hodgdon, I was estimating (no load data for a 174 SMK) velocity at about 2300-2400, but I was shocked to be hitting 3" high at 300 based on what the ballistic program said it should be. Based on the come-ups needed at 300 and 600 yards, I was getting a MV of around 2700 out of my (cut) 22" barrel- and that's with only 43.5 of Varget and I'm sure I can get up to 46 or more...
It's not supposed to be that fast, so I was puzzled. I need to verify, but the computer sez it is, what it is...
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
2700-2800 is what the hot military surplus light ball (147gr.) is moving at. I'm getting into the 2500-2600 range with the 174s and that's with 45 grains of Varget, which is getting pretty warm and showing primer flow into the large pin holes these rifles have.
John
2700-2800 is what the hot military surplus light ball (147gr.) is moving at. I'm getting into the 2500-2600 range with the 174s and that's with 45 grains of Varget, which is getting pretty warm and showing primer flow into the large pin holes these rifles have.
John
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2700-2800 is what the hot military surplus light ball (147gr.) is moving at...
John </div></div>
That’s what I was thinking as well, I should contact Hornady to verify. I load 46 gr of varget with 174 SMK and that is pushing it...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2700-2800 is what the hot military surplus light ball (147gr.) is moving at...
John </div></div>
That’s what I was thinking as well, I should contact Hornady to verify. I load 46 gr of varget with 174 SMK and that is pushing it...
Re: 7.62X54R Match Ammo
I just checked some notes. The hottest load I have on record, in military surplus, is some 1968 Czech silver tip light ball, that was averaging 2866. Most others are under 2800.
I've also shot some very tight groups with Hornady 124 gr. FMJ (intended for 7.62x39). I'll have to look and see if I have chrono data, as I don't recall. However, over 51 grains of Varget, I know they had to be screaming.
John
I just checked some notes. The hottest load I have on record, in military surplus, is some 1968 Czech silver tip light ball, that was averaging 2866. Most others are under 2800.
I've also shot some very tight groups with Hornady 124 gr. FMJ (intended for 7.62x39). I'll have to look and see if I have chrono data, as I don't recall. However, over 51 grains of Varget, I know they had to be screaming.
John
