Can 7.62X53r cases be used instead of 54R?

[rlchemist]

I've had some experience in handloading pistol ammo but very little experience with reloading rifle rounds.

Today I received some 7.62x53R Lapua brass that I would like to reload for my M44 but first want to make sure this won't create a safety issue. The Lapua 53R is running about 2.080", which is less than the recommended trim length of 2.105" for the the 54R case. I would like to use the 53R instead of the 54R and I'm hoping someone here might know if this is OK. ????


Thanks......

[mosin430]

I may be wrong but i think there the same i believe that the finn riffles where marked 7.62x53

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[SA1911a1]

I am not a reloader, and I know as much about it as I know about flying the Space Shuttle, but, for what it is worth.

In the book, "The Rifles of the White Death", Doug Bowser, refers to Mosin-Nagant ammo as 7.62 x 53R, which is probably how the Finns referred to the stuff.

[rlchemist]

Thanks guys....just remembered that I read somewhere that the actual case length was something like 53.5. The Finns rounded this to 53 and the commies to 54. Makes sense if it's true.???

[FINNADDICT]

Yes. You can use it. You may have to expand the necks a bit because the Lapua is .308. All depends on the diameter bullet you use. I have been using it for years exclusively. Nothing else. It lasts forever as long as you don't hot load ( high velocity) and anneal it every 2-4 shots. The best brass you can get. Nothing beats it. 2.080 is correct too. The case weight variance will not go over 1.0 grs.

Yes you are right. The Finns rounded down, the Russians up.

FYI. Neck size only. This increases case life and as long as you use the same case for same rifle there is no need to full resize. The case will be "fireformed" to that particular rifle. Adds to accuracy.

[rlchemist]

Thanks...I'll be using Varget at 39 grains behind a Sierra .311Dia 174 gr HPBT. I slugged the barrel twice with .312 and .311 results. I've never annealed before so I'll be doing some reference on that procedure very soon.

I've had a lot of misfires using TulAmmo LR Lead Free primers and today my friendly brown truck delivered some CCI LR primers so I should be good to go.

Thanks guys for all your help, nice to know we have so many knowledgeable members on this board.

[FINNADDICT]

Yeah. Don't use the Tula's their dirty and FTF often. CCI LR is okay. I'd recommend using Fed GM210M primers. Can't recall not once when they FTF. I built my own annealing station using a propane torch and a power drill. The drill is rotated in a benchvice to turn it away and into the flame. A sparkplug socket is cut below the desired anneal length. A insert in which a case will fit is cut to anneal length but both must fit into the socket. That way the insert with case is above the socket and exposes the area just below the shoulder for heating. It also prevents the case from wobble while it spins and it allows quick removal of the case and insertion of a new one. So... case goes into the insert and the case with insert goes into the spinning sparkplug socket.

Glad to have been of help to you.

Good luck.

[rlchemist]

I do prefer Federal and use those in all my handgun rounds. But these days I pretty much take what's available and that's how I ended up with the TulAmmo---which is now at the bottom of my primer storage area. I was thrilled when I found some CCI primers, which was the only brand of LR primers available and I snatched it up.

Thanks for the info on your annealing process...sounds like you have a good system.

[Ironnewt]

I don't think you will be dissatisfied with CCI Primers. I've used both theirifle and pistol primers (both sizes) with good results.

[res45]

Differences between 7.62×53mmR (Finland) and 7.62×54mmR (Russia)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%97 ... 8Russia.29

[stubbicatt]

Mild Thread veer ahead...

I have grown to really appreciate CCI primers. I used to use Federals, back in the days of the old, low brisance, formulation. I don't see a whole lot of difference with the present iteration.

[rlchemist]

Guys...thanks for all of your help and valuable information.

I loaded some 53Rs yesterday and will be out at the range today to see how they work.

[rlchemist]

Back from the range and everything went very well with the 7.62x53R cases....no problems at all. I didn't set up any targets and just aimed at a tree at the base of a mountain---missed the tree but hit the mountain.

[FINNADDICT]

Very nice. The cases and primers look normal. What charge, powder type and bullet did you use??

[rlchemist]

I used 39 grains of Varget behind a 174 gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT (Product No: 2315). This was adapted from the Sierra Loading Manual 5th Edition, p.531. CCI LR primers with OAL at 3.000. The average case length from 10 measurements was 2.084".

Light recoil and I was favorably impressed with everything....now I have to set up some targets and really see how the M44 is working. I'm getting ready to join a gun club on May 1st, the start of their application process, and hopefully will get some nice range time in this summer. Right now I'm shooting in Custer National Forest which makes it difficult to set up targets, particularly now with a foot of snow on the ground.

[bunkysdad]

I have wanted to buy a hundred of these Lapua cases and see how I like them, but they are just so expensive. The problem is, I know I will like them. Everything I read about them is right in line with the report here from Finnaddict. In this world of "you get what you pay for" I feel sure they would be worth the investment.

[rlchemist]

They are...I am very happy with them and just ordered some more.

I'm gonna be taking a break from the forums, I apparently upset some people with my earlier postings and maybe I just need to get away for a while. I guess some politically incorrect comments are acceptable and others aren't...hard to tell where the line is at times.