I loaded up some 7.62x54R rounds today with the Lee 312-185 GCRN bullet today. Finally tapped into that pound of Accurate 3100 powder I have had for what.....30 years? Put 50gr in there to get about 2000fps on MV on that bullet. The case has 98% fill volume and the Accurate load manual data jives with the QuickLOAD data too. I'll fire these in a M44 Nagant in pristine condition. Look out Postal Match!
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.
Attached Files
Also noticed today that load data for the 7.62x54R cartridge is a little on the thin side. I guess not many folks reload for it? Now that the surplus ammo costs a small fortune, one would think more folks would handload for this cartridge and boxer primed brass would be more available with more sources other than PPU.
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.
Attached Files
If you have the LEE loading manual, it lists case capacity, 30-40 Krag, 308 Win, and 7.62x54R are very close, use 30-40 data, to be safe
I have a 91/30 1943, and a model 27 Finn with a Tikka barrel , the Finn is tight, but the throat is about .310/11, the3 M/N is at 313/4
I have 3 molds I use, one is a copy of the 311299, NOE, one is a copy 311299, on 6C, LEE blocks, casts .314, one is a group buy called fatter 30, casts .315
using 20mm/50cal surplus powder in a bolt gun is too frustrating for me, unburnt powder in the chamber, when WC820, was available, I worked up a load, good enough and accurate enough for 300M pigs, battle sights.
In my rifles, WC820, acted like 2400,
I had a M44 M/N , Muzzle blast was too much for me, want to make people move to another bench, shoot factory in it
Attached Files
That Lee bullet is a good one for a MN with excellent bore.......
Concealment is not cover.........
Attached Files
Good shooting Larry!! I wish I had a longer barrel but I will make the M44 work.
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.
Attached Files
Shot 40 rounds of this load today. It's 50gr of Accurate 3100. A CCI 200 LR primer. White's 50/50 lube. Lyman 2827267 30 cal GC.
Not a trace of leading or unburned powder in the barrel and recoil felt like 2000-2200 fps. It's just too dang hot to set up the chrono. Perhaps this fall I will check the velocity.
Good 3" group at 40 yards, offhand, open sights. I'm quite happy with this load.
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.
Attached Files
If you're going to shoot very many rounds from the bench, a lighter load would be more comfortable. I've had good luck with 16 grs. of 2400 and 17 grs. of N-110.
Glenn
Attached Files
I no longer have any Nagant rifles but shot cast in them for many years. I used the same Lee bullet as you for most of my loads. You can shoot anything that you can use in a 303 Brit. My M39 was the best but I had a very nice M44 that did well, gave a nice fireball with slower powders. I did a lot of powder coated and a fair amount of paper patch as well. Mostly used IMR 4198, 2400, and a lot of Unique. I shot a good many loads with a .312 RB and a 6 grain charge of Red Dot or Trail Boss, primers were cheap then.
Attached Files
I will seek a slower load soon. With A3100 no longer available, fate mandates it. My shoulder will too.
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.
Attached Files
Made up some loads with 25gr of RL-7. Looking to see how much RL-7 costs today, I was stunned. Need to mortgage the house. Last time I bought it, 12 years ago, the powder was about 29 bucks. Now a pound, with shipping, hazmat, and sales tax works out to $134 a pound. Now I understand why we see fewer and fewer handloaders and bullet casters.
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.
Attached Files
And today's RL-7 doesn't look anything like the stuff you bought 12 years ago either. I don't think it shoots the same, but I haven't done a head-to-head of the new and old.
https://forum.castbulletassoc.org/thread/it-s-not-your-father-s-reloader-7/?order=all#comment-6314c639-b5bd-4f42-b4d4-b1c2014f6a43
Glenn
Attached Files
Made up some loads with 25gr of RL-7. Looking to see how much RL-7 costs today, I was stunned. Need to mortgage the house. Last time I bought it, 12 years ago, the powder was about 29 bucks. Now a pound, with shipping, hazmat, and sales tax works out to $134 a pound. Now I understand why we see fewer and fewer handloaders and bullet casters.
The results are in! Nice shooting load with an average of 1685fps velocity. Must easier to shoot. Bore was immaculate with no unburned propellant like you get with IMR-3031 in other loads.
Here are the snaps:
It's only 4 shots, one did not register, but the proof of concept is good. This load was in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition. Sometimes I forget to look in all the load manuals I have. This bullet is specifically listed in that manual.
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.
Attached Files
Aaron
22
RicinYakima
20
delmarskid
18
John Alexander
17
Tom Acheson
17
OU812
7
Ed Harris
6
Wm Cook
6
Wilderness
5
beagle6
5
