7.62x54R and 8x56R

BMiracle · April 13, 2001, 12:46 PM

Does anybody know starting points on these rounds. I have found no info on these. The only thing I have found says on 7.62x54R to start with .308 WIN starting loads. (Approximately same case capacity shooting same size bullet) I know they have dies and brass(EXPENSIVE) for 8x56R, but I can't find starting points on loads. Any suggestions?

**Mike Irwin** · April 13, 2001, 01:13 PM

Barnes Cartridges of the World offers loads for both cartridges.

The 7.62 Russian round, though, is included in just about every reloading manual I've every looked at.

Clark · April 13, 2001, 07:34 PM

7.62x54R S&B Factory ammo 2" 3 shot groups at 100 yards

1) Lyman's 45th [1970] and 47th [1992] both say 45 gr IMR4895 max for 180 gr JSP 3.037" 2493 fps
2) PO Ackley 1966 says 49 gr IMR4895 180 gr for 2675 fps
3) Hornady 1973 says 47 gr IMR4895 180 gr 2600 fps
4) Sierra 1st [~1970] and 50th [1998] both say 45.1 gr IMR4895 for 180 gr 2500 fps
5) Modern Reloading by Richard Lee says 38.7 gr max for IMR4895 and 180gr 2354 fps
6) I found 44.3 gr the most accurate as shown in the data below

Reloaded with neck sized cases and loaded with 180 gr Rem .312 bullets,
CCI 200, 2.843" OAL, and IMR4895 powder shooting 3 shot groups: 40 gr
2.7" 41 gr
2" 42 gr 2.25" 43 gr >4" 44 gr 1.2" 45 gr 2.9" 46 gr 1.4" 47 gr >4" 48
gr 2.5" 49 gr 3.3" 50 gr 2.5" w/ sticky bolt

I reloaded again: 43.0 gr > 2" 43.3 gr 2.4" 43.6 gr 3.5" 44.0 gr 2.1"
44.3 gr 1.2" 44.6 gr 2.2" 45.0 gr 1.7" 45.3 gr 1.7" 45.6 gr 4.5" 46.0 gr
2" 46.3 gr 2.6" 46.6 gr
4.6" 47.0 gr 3.2" 47.3 gr 1.3" 47.6 gr 3.8" 48.0 gr 2.2" 48.3 gr 2.7"
48.6 gr 3"

April 13, 2001, 01:13 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Barnes Cartridges of the World offers loads for both cartridges. The 7.62 Russian round, though, is included in just about every reloading manual I've every looked at. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 13, 2001, 12:46 PM	#1
BMiracle Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Posts: 159	Does anybody know starting points on these rounds. I have found no info on these. The only thing I have found says on 7.62x54R to start with .308 WIN starting loads. (Approximately same case capacity shooting same size bullet) I know they have dies and brass(EXPENSIVE) for 8x56R, but I can't find starting points on loads. Any suggestions?

April 13, 2001, 07:34 PM	#3
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	7.62x54R S&B Factory ammo 2" 3 shot groups at 100 yards 1) Lyman's 45th [1970] and 47th [1992] both say 45 gr IMR4895 max for 180 gr JSP 3.037" 2493 fps 2) PO Ackley 1966 says 49 gr IMR4895 180 gr for 2675 fps 3) Hornady 1973 says 47 gr IMR4895 180 gr 2600 fps 4) Sierra 1st [~1970] and 50th [1998] both say 45.1 gr IMR4895 for 180 gr 2500 fps 5) Modern Reloading by Richard Lee says 38.7 gr max for IMR4895 and 180gr 2354 fps 6) I found 44.3 gr the most accurate as shown in the data below Reloaded with neck sized cases and loaded with 180 gr Rem .312 bullets, CCI 200, 2.843" OAL, and IMR4895 powder shooting 3 shot groups: 40 gr 2.7" 41 gr 2" 42 gr 2.25" 43 gr >4" 44 gr 1.2" 45 gr 2.9" 46 gr 1.4" 47 gr >4" 48 gr 2.5" 49 gr 3.3" 50 gr 2.5" w/ sticky bolt I reloaded again: 43.0 gr > 2" 43.3 gr 2.4" 43.6 gr 3.5" 44.0 gr 2.1" 44.3 gr 1.2" 44.6 gr 2.2" 45.0 gr 1.7" 45.3 gr 1.7" 45.6 gr 4.5" 46.0 gr 2" 46.3 gr 2.6" 46.6 gr 4.6" 47.0 gr 3.2" 47.3 gr 1.3" 47.6 gr 3.8" 48.0 gr 2.2" 48.3 gr 2.7" 48.6 gr 3"