7.62x25 Tokerov reloads

[MikeyM]

I need some help here. Just bought a Romanian TT-C & plan on reloading. I bought Hornady 30 cal, 90 XTP.309 (because my load data calls for a .309 bullet) & Starline brass. Starline says to use a .308 bullet because a .309 will cause neck splits. The only thing close I can find is a Hornady 30 cal Mauser 86 grn .308. Is this a good substitution & has anyone have experience with this?

Thanks

[JD0x0]

Should be fine since .30 mauser and .30 tokarev have a lot in common. In fact, I believe you can fire .30 mauser from a .30 tokarev chamber (but not the other way around.)

Interesting how the 7.63 mauser uses a .308 bullet (BTW I have a source saying .309) and the 7.62x25 uses a .309-.310 bullet. (BTW I also have a source saying .310 cal for the 7.62x25)


honestly I dont think it's as critical as you're making it out to be. Older fire arms have wider tolerances than modern firearms. I wouldn't doubt that the .30 tok bullets varied anywhere from .307-.311 and likely without problems. I dont think a .001'' oversized bullet should really be causing issues.

[Clark]

Looking at the books:
Donnelly says 0.307"
Howell says 0.308"
Bussard says 0.309
Lyman says 0.309"

Looking at the factory ammo:
Polish from the 1950s 0.307"
Norinco [pre Clinton Chinese] 0.307"
Modern S&B 0.308"
Czech ammo [feared only 5 years ago] 0.308"

10 years ago when I wrote Sierra that their load book info about Tokarevs vs CZ52s was wrong, they wrote back that they only printed what they had read.

10 years ago when I wrote Jan Libourel that his magazine article about Tokarevs vs CZ52s was wrong, he wrote back that he only wrote what he had read.

What does it all mean?
The Tokarev is so mysterious that Werner Heisenberg needs to get involved.

[tobnpr]

Delete

[madmo44mag]

M1 30 carbine bullets can also be used as most are .308 but you have to get them when they are available. They seems to move pretty fast and stay on back order.

[zeke]

Am using both of the Hornady bullets, and both are very accurate out of recently purchased Zastava 7.62x25. Believe the 86 grainers are/were cheaper.

The 86 grain soft point has a cannelure appropriately set for the 7.62x25, but would advise checking how the soft lead tip works with your feed ramp.

The larger dia 90 grain xtp also works well, but uses slightly less powder for same velocity. It helps to determine how far to seat the xtp out, may be further than you think.

Am using less than Hornady's listed max of H-110. if you like the round, it now pays to reload, although wish I could find some fmj's for it. The Seller and Beloit rounds are pretty hot, and warmer than I care to handload to.

[JD0x0]

although wish I could find some fmj's for it

try some .312 .32acp FMJ's and size them down to fit better. natchess has a 100/bag of Remington .312 cal 71gr FMJ's for ~$19
Those 71 grainers probably can be loaded up to a fairly high velocity

[tangolima]

The best way to determine optimal bullet diameter for YOUR gun is to slug the bore.

I use 30 carbine bullets for loading 30 Mauser. Should also work in your case. Pretty of them available if you look up plated, coated, or cast bullets.

-TL

[Clark]

my favorite loads for the Tokarev:

1) 7.62x25mm and 30 Mauser are with 110 gr Hornady round nose soft point .308 bullets and Power Pistol, 1.316" OAL
The S&B brass is better than the Starline brass, which is still ok.

2) 9x23 throated I like Hornady XTP 158 gr JHP, Power Pistol, 1.36" OAL.
The Winchester brass is better than the Starline supercomp, which is still ok.