7.62x54 with RL22???

Dadnabit · March 13, 2013, 07:40 PM

I am just getting started as a reloader. Got excited and bought supplies before having actual data. I bought Nosler 168gr ballistic tip, Reloader 22 powder, and Remington 9 1/2M primers(the only LR primers I could find). Any one have data for RL22 powder?! Getting desparate. Dont want to get MORE powder.

Jimro · March 13, 2013, 07:47 PM

Ok, got some bad news for you.

First, 168gr 30 caliber bullets are .308 in diameter, you need to buy 30 caliber bullets that are .311 inches in diameter.

Second, Re22 is totally useable in your 7.62x54r, however expect very low velocities and quite a bit of sooting as you will have a hard time getting complete burn with such a slow powder. Next time reach for the Reloader 15.

Jimro

m&p45acp10+1 · March 13, 2013, 07:48 PM

Reloader 22 is a way slow powder for the round. I have had good luck with H-335, Varget, and IMR 4320. With the 4320 working best across tie board in all of my Mosin Nagant rifles. For super light 110 grain bullets H-335 makes a great screamer load, that has a huge muzzle flash. I get a hoot out of lighting a few of them off every once in a while. For the most part I use Speer Hot Cor 150 grain (.311 diameter.) They give me exelent groups.

reynolds357 · March 13, 2013, 08:46 PM

I have never messed with a 7.62x54Russian but according to Lee you can use the 168. Well, they list it anyway. Have no idea if it will hit the broad side of a barn, but they list it.

Dadnabit · March 13, 2013, 10:09 PM

I picked up the 308's because the manual I have said to start with 308. Said it can be between 308 and 312. ??? How do I "slug" the barrel to find the actual bore size? Do I have to take it to a gunsmith or is that something I can do at home?

reynolds357 · March 14, 2013, 08:33 PM

You can order a kit and do it at home, but its a little bit aggravating. Shoot the 168 and see if it groups. If so, dont worry about it.

Dadnabit · March 15, 2013, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the info.

m&p45acp10+1 · March 15, 2013, 06:43 PM

I load quite a few .308 bullets in my rifles. The 115 grain bullets for the .30 carbine with 14 grains of Trail Boss zip at about 1700 FPS out of a 91/30. They bang steel knock down targets, and bowling pins at 25 yards with no problems. As far as groups I have never shot groups with them. I worked up the load for my wife to shoot in her rifle. She likes them quite well, and she is quite good with it.

Boomer58cal · March 15, 2013, 09:12 PM

7.62x54R = .312 dia. Use .311

7.62x53R = .309 dia. Use .308 you should only find these in Finnish rifles.
You can use .308 bullets in both but the .312 bores will not be very accurate.

Clark · March 20, 2013, 12:50 AM

The guy I know that has been killing deer for decades with a Russian uses the Sierra 180 gr bullet.
http://www.sierrabullets.com/index.c...0&bullettype=0

I have used it at the range, and it makes the best groups.

It is not boat tailed, and with my lousy marksmanship, cuts the range down from 500 yards to 400 yards, at best.

March 13, 2013, 07:40 PM	#1
Dadnabit Junior Member Join Date: March 5, 2013 Posts: 3	7.62x54 with RL22??? I am just getting started as a reloader. Got excited and bought supplies before having actual data. I bought Nosler 168gr ballistic tip, Reloader 22 powder, and Remington 9 1/2M primers(the only LR primers I could find). Any one have data for RL22 powder?! Getting desparate. Dont want to get MORE powder.

March 13, 2013, 07:47 PM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Ok, got some bad news for you. First, 168gr 30 caliber bullets are .308 in diameter, you need to buy 30 caliber bullets that are .311 inches in diameter. Second, Re22 is totally useable in your 7.62x54r, however expect very low velocities and quite a bit of sooting as you will have a hard time getting complete burn with such a slow powder. Next time reach for the Reloader 15. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

March 13, 2013, 07:48 PM	#3
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	Reloader 22 is a way slow powder for the round. I have had good luck with H-335, Varget, and IMR 4320. With the 4320 working best across tie board in all of my Mosin Nagant rifles. For super light 110 grain bullets H-335 makes a great screamer load, that has a huge muzzle flash. I get a hoot out of lighting a few of them off every once in a while. For the most part I use Speer Hot Cor 150 grain (.311 diameter.) They give me exelent groups. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

March 15, 2013, 06:43 PM	#8
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I load quite a few .308 bullets in my rifles. The 115 grain bullets for the .30 carbine with 14 grains of Trail Boss zip at about 1700 FPS out of a 91/30. They bang steel knock down targets, and bowling pins at 25 yards with no problems. As far as groups I have never shot groups with them. I worked up the load for my wife to shoot in her rifle. She likes them quite well, and she is quite good with it. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

March 15, 2013, 09:12 PM	#9
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	7.62x54R = .312 dia. Use .311 7.62x53R = .309 dia. Use .308 you should only find these in Finnish rifles. You can use .308 bullets in both but the .312 bores will not be very accurate. __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

March 13, 2013, 08:46 PM	#4
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I have never messed with a 7.62x54Russian but according to Lee you can use the 168. Well, they list it anyway. Have no idea if it will hit the broad side of a barn, but they list it.

March 13, 2013, 10:09 PM	#5
Dadnabit Junior Member Join Date: March 5, 2013 Posts: 3	I picked up the 308's because the manual I have said to start with 308. Said it can be between 308 and 312. ??? How do I "slug" the barrel to find the actual bore size? Do I have to take it to a gunsmith or is that something I can do at home?

March 14, 2013, 08:33 PM	#6
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	You can order a kit and do it at home, but its a little bit aggravating. Shoot the 168 and see if it groups. If so, dont worry about it.

March 15, 2013, 06:12 PM	#7
Dadnabit Junior Member Join Date: March 5, 2013 Posts: 3	Thanks for the info.

March 20, 2013, 12:50 AM	#10
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	The guy I know that has been killing deer for decades with a Russian uses the Sierra 180 gr bullet. http://www.sierrabullets.com/index.c...0&bullettype=0 I have used it at the range, and it makes the best groups. It is not boat tailed, and with my lousy marksmanship, cuts the range down from 500 yards to 400 yards, at best. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?