7.62x54r StaBall and 168gr tmk

[Redpltdoc]

Hello,
I'm trying to see if anyone has tried the StaBall with the 7.62x54r? I had a barrel made for my nagant years ago, 24" benchmark barrel, 1-10 twist. Chambered for the 7.62x54r case and .308 Dia bore. I wanted to try the StaBall with the 168gr sierra tipped matchkings for the BC. I'm waiting for a magnetospeed to get mv when i actuallyget a day to go out. I figured I might have to go up to 175gn but I wanted to start with 168 first. I plan on doing a ladder test when I get the chrono. I started at 46gr working down to 44.2.

I'm also working on my remington 308, 1-12 twist with the same powder and sierra 168gr TMK. Both are getting cci Large rifle primers #200.

Ps. Be gentle about the 7.62x54r

 

[Bandit320]

да

 

[Bandit320]

Interested, my brother shoots Mosins.

 

[Redpltdoc]

I love it, got my first antelope with it after the rebarrel with garbage 150gr steel. Really want to see if it can get to 1,000

 

[TSULLI]

There was a time when I was wayyy more involved in old military rifles than anything else. I even had a C&R license. I never reloaded for any of them though. I always shot surplus ammo. Would be interesting to see if anyone on here has gone down that path.

 

[Redpltdoc]

I was hoping to not be the trailblazer on this one hahahaha.

 

[Bandit320]

I’ll find out what my brother loads. I know it’s not StaBall though.

 

[MK20]

It should work just fine. 4064 is a very popular powder for 7.62x54 and Staball Match is similar in burn rate.

The Finns did load a bunch of x54 back in the day with .308 bullets, mostly for the m28/30.

Make sure your die sizes your case neck for .308 and not .311. Specific dies are needed for this, and are available.

 

[TicTacTex]

You didn’t find that mosin in a dumpster did you?

 

[Bandit320]

My brothers load:

New Hornady brass, 46.0 grains Varget, .312” 150 Hornady Spire Point bullets (made for .303 British cartridges). Something like 2670 fps.

It’s around WWII vintage from what I can remember. Original barrel. Shoots pretty good.

 

[tomme boy]

44gr varget will get you past 1K with a 174gr hpbt sierra. Or 45gr of rl15. With several Finn m39 rifles and a real 1943 ishv 9130 sniper

 

[Redpltdoc]

You didn’t find that mosin in a dumpster did you?

No not in a dumpster. Friend of mine that was Cav gave to me for my birthday many moons ago.

It did shoot like garbage until I slugged my bore. It was .311, the factory ammo actually loads .308 bullets. I'm surprised I ever hit anything with it before I started loading .311. Then when benchmark was kind enough to make and install the barrel I went back to .308 Dia bullets.

 

[Redpltdoc]

Thanks Tommy boy and bandit320, if I can find some varget I'll try those. I was using sierra HPBT, so have quite a few 168 and 174 of 175, not looking at my bullets right now. Thought I would try the TMK just to see.

From what I can tell the StaBall has similar burn rates to varget, or an i missing something?

Is varget more accessible now or still short supply?

44gr varget will get you past 1K with a 174gr hpbt sierra. Or 45gr of rl15. With several Finn m39 rifles and a real 1943 ishv 9130 sniper

 

[TicTacTex]

No not in a dumpster. Friend of mine that was Cav gave to me for my birthday many moons ago.

It did shoot like garbage until I slugged my bore. It was .311, the factory ammo actually loads .308 bullets. I'm surprised I ever hit anything with it before I started loading .311. Then when benchmark was kind enough to make and install the barrel I went back to .308 Dia bullets.

Don’t take that personally, I said that in reference to another thread on here about a guy claiming to find a gun in a dumpster.

Cool rifle, and best of luck with load development.
I have a 91/30 and an M44. Bought before prices went crazy, but I just shoot surplus 54r out of them.

 

[towerofpower93]

Not an apples to apples comparison, but here's my 174gr SMK load for my SVDs

174gr SMK
45.4gr IMR4064
1 x fired PPU
CCI 34 LRP
OAL: 2.940"
Fully closed Lee FCD crimp

10rd group

Lo: 2494
Hi: 2537
Avg: 2511
ES: 43
SD: 11.7

I have a bunch of IMR 4064 still, but I'm interested to see how the StaBall Match works for you in the 54R as I've been thinking about picking some up.

ETA: I presume you're talking about StaBall Match in this post and not the StaBall 6.5. Might want to clarify that in your OP.

 

[Redpltdoc]

Yes StaBall match, should go to the range soon now the chrono showed up. I'm going to do some 308 also.

Someday, if I ever get the money I would love to have an SVD. Got to shoot one in the army with the Estonia guys that were attached to us. It was pretty awesome.

 

[Redpltdoc]

Don’t take that personally, I said that in reference to another thread on here about a guy claiming to find a gun in a dumpster.

Cool rifle, and best of luck with load development.
I have a 91/30 and an M44. Bought before prices went crazy, but I just shoot surplus 54r out of them.

I didn't take that personally. Sorry playing catch up, my kid gave me some disease from school. I've been in slow noting for a week now. I think the only thing I would have done differently was also build a hex receiver along with the rounded one I have, just to see how much more the hex could handle. Again, not going max pressure, but I am more cautious with the receiver I have.

 

[kc0yef]

I was hoping to not be the trailblazer on this one hahahaha.

Ps. Be gentle about the 7.62x54r

You aren't, I have an Izzy exPEM and a Remington. Teddy Roosevelt Had that model 95 Chambered in 7.62x54R