Mosin Reloading Kit

[AirConda]

I may be completely stupid for saying this and it may not even be possible, but I was wondering if it is possible to reload 7.62X54R ammo? If so, what would be the recommended kit for it?

[Longcolt44]

Not stupid at all. Lee, and others, make dies of several kinds for this caliber, handloaders to multi die machines. Most of us just shoot the surplus as unless you are going for specific loads for target shooting the surplus is much cheaper than you can load for.

[Darryl]

That correct. Reloading is cheaper than buying new ammo, but nothing is cheaper than surplus ammo in a Mosin.

Reloading 7.62 x 54r is for target shooters.

I just posted a load example on the reload forum from or friend Kari.

Dolk

[Junk Yard Dog]

Surplus Mosin ammo is not reloadable , most of it is steel case and Berdan primed, Berdan primers are available at a high cost, but loading equipment to handle them is not so easy to find. Fortunately most of the big outfits like Graf's and Midway have brand new unfired boxer primed brass cases available by the 100 sack for reloading. These are reusable about 20 times if you keep the pressure on the low side. First step is to get a reloading manual, I recommend the Lee manual as it has great instructions on the basics of reloading as well as the charge tables. Once you have the book you can select some equipment with a better idea of exactly what you need, and how it works, then select a load you would like to try for 7.62x54r, get the recommended powder and bullets for that load as well as the large rifle primers ( not magnum) you will need for your new cases and go to work. We have many people here who reload for both Smokeless, and Black powder cartridges who can answer most any questions that might come up.

[Darryl]

I started on the Lee handbook. Especially good if you have Lee equipment (but not necessary). Walks you right through each step.

Dolk

[taylorcraftbc65]

I have been reloading for a while now, and when I started, I used one of Lyman's big manuals. In the front of the book, they walk you through reloading, step by step, with photos.
I started with that, and I graduated to competition loadings for the .25-06, the 10MM Auto, the .30-40 Krag, the .45-70, and the .357.
I am now loading .30-30, 7X57 (for my 1895 Spanish Mauser Carbine), .45ACP (for my Argentine Air Force 1927 Systema), and my .270 Remington 721.
I will start loading for my Nagant as soon as I get a set of dies for my RCBS loader. Take your time, be a perfectionist, and in a short time you will be turning out very accurate rounds.
Brie

[Darryl]

The hardest part of reloading Mosin ammo is....finding the brass. Like JYD said, you can't (very easily) load surplus ammo, so you have to buy commercial ammo and fire it (ouch the price) then use them to reload. Or buy some brass, but that is hard to find. (Unless new..double ouch!)

Dolk

[taylorcraftbc65]

I know that buying new brass is a double ouch, but if you love the way that the rifle shoots as much as I do, and just LOVE to un-case this "Clunky looking" antique military rifle with iron sights, and then out shoot most of the people on the line, THEN you, (or at least I) buy NORMA brass (TRIPLE ouch), and precision load you own target loads. I already do that with my 8MM Mauser.
Brie

[Burrhead]

When I first added the 7.62X54R to my reloading bench I bought 100 rounds of S&B from J&G Sales. I am still reloading some of that brass ten years later. I have some new stuff that I got from Graf and Sons so many of us load for the rifles here. I shoot IMR-4064 powder and 150 grain bullets .311 diameter. Got to watch it because some of the Finn's have a .308 barrel though.

[cougar98332]

is 4064 also good for .303, because if so, then startup costs to reload for both rifles becomes even cheaper, especially since i have the brass [nice thing about the two rifles, is they use the same primers, same diameter bullets, and if they can use the same powder.....]

[millman]

I use 4064 in my .303 handloads.

[Burrhead]

I shoot IMR-4064 in all my 30 caliber and 8mm military rifles. I also shoot 150 grain bullets in them all. The only real exception to this is my M-1 Garand I use 4895 in this one the gas system seems to prefer it over the 4064. But my Pattern 1917 Enfield which is a 30-06 gets this powder also as well as my 8X57 rifles.

[entropy]

I shoot IMR-4064 in all my 30 caliber and 8mm military rifles. I also shoot 150 grain bullets in them all. The only real exception to this is my M-1 Garand I use 4895 in this one the gas system seems to prefer it over the 4064. But my Pattern 1917 Enfield which is a 30-06 gets this powder also as well as my 8X57 rifles.

I concur. I use IMR-4064 for .30-06 (hunting loads for friends), .30-30, 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, and tried it in .223, though wasn't impressed enough to switch from BL-C(2) for that. IMR-4895 is a slower burning powder, Burrhead, which makes it better for the Garand than IMR-4064, IMR 4350, IMR- 4320 or IMR-3031. I like 3031 for light 7.62x54R loads as well as 4064.

[Burrhead]

from what I have read H4895 is the powder that the Garand gas system was regulated to. I have shot other powders but my rifle seems to do better with this powder and a 150 grain bullet. Could just be my rifle but when she gets hot I have an occasional shot cycle and this results in a failure to feeb the next round into the chamber. I haven't experienced this with 4895.
I have had real good results in my M39's using AA4350 with heavier bullets as well. I shoot the 174 grain bullets with this powder and get some really nice groups with it. It's a slower powder and you get a compressed load with this combination with the max loads listed. Accurate Arms makes some good powders also.