7.62X54 Russian

[arizona jim]

I am researching the availability of ammo for the 7.62X54 Russian. Considering the rifle for a custom hunting rifle. Does anyone know of the different bullet weights & styles available for hunting ? How about balistics charts the barrel length would be about 22 to 24 inches.

[jmabbott888]

If you are into reloading you can load any bullet weight from 123gr ( they don't like to feed real good I guess cause of how short they are) to 220 gr slugs. My 2 best reloads are with 165gr gamekings & the bulk 123 gr slugs from midway. Both those bullets are spitzer types for lack of a better term, Ammoe has probably tried cast but I haven't YET lol. As far as ballistics go I haven't chronyed any bullets yet but from other sourses I've heard its about equivilent to a 30-06. Good luck & keep us posted.

[AMMOe]

AZ Jim: There is a vast amount of ammo available for the 7.62x54R but most of it isn't something I'd want to feed through a custom rifle of any kind. The majority is surplus from China, Soviet Union, and former Soviet republics. A lot of that is steel cased, Berdan primed, Corrosive or Not, loaded with steel-jacketed bullets. Norma, Sellier and Bellot, and one Yugoslavian outfit produce Boxer primed, non-corrosive, hunting ammunition. Lapua makes EXCELLENT match brass for this cartridge. For ballistics, I'd advise looking through a reloading manual or downloadable data from powder manufacturers. Commercial and surplus bullet weights run from 180- to 200 grains. Ballistics are extremely close to the US 30-06 cartridge. Forgive the curiosity, but what rifle were you planning to use for a custom? The rim diameter and fat body of this bottle-necked round make it a difficult proposition for a standard bolt action like a Mauser, Remington, or Winchester.

It's one of my favorite cartridges though. I'm glad to see someone taking an interest in it. Good luck. ~AMMOe

[arizona jim]

My brother wants customize a Moisin Nagant Russian rifle already chambered for it. The problem is he tells me it does not have a safety. We are looking into if a safety can be added or if there is an action available that is easily adapted. We are also interested in the chamber pressures. If we use a more modern rifle action we may be able to increase the pressures over the old military action ?

[MarinePMI]

Jim,

The safety is on the back of the bolt (the knob). Just pull it back and rotate it 90 degrees... Assuming of course it's a stock Mosin Nagant....

[AMMOe]

The Marine is correct. The cocking piece is pulled reaward and rotated counterclockwise. This drops the firing pin into a locking recess. I have seen alternative safeties for Nagants but they were custom affairs. The simplest was a cross-bolt that I believe contacted the lower section of the sear, preventing it from dropping when engaged. This was a real bit of custom work on a rifle that was already beautifully customized into a 348 Winchester sporter. In practice, it's best to just leave the chamber empty until you're ready to shoot, or get used to the military safety. Just remember that when you're engaging or disengaging that safety, DON'T squeeze the trigger as you strain to overcome that mainspring. A slip could be disasterous!~AMMOe

[arizona jim]

Marine PMI,

You are right I talked to my brother & he tried it on his it is at the back & it works.

Thanks,
Jim

[jmabbott888]

One thing I've been able to do on most of the military rifles as well as a few others is when the bolt is slid forward & you start to push it down into the closed position if you hold the trigger the rifle will not cock. If you try this PLEASE do it on an EMPTY chamber till you figure it out. After you do this all you need to do is push the bolt up & back down without cycling it or pull the striker back if you can get a grip on it. Like I said before PLEASE TRY THIS ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER TILL YOU GET THE IDEA ON HOW IT WORKS!!!!!!!!