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What is 7.62x54R Ammo? 🤔
It is a rimmed rifle cartridge developed in the late 19th century by Russian arms maker Sergei Mosin. It was used by Russia and its Soviet satellites during WWI, WWII, and the Cold War. This powerful round has remained popular for hunting and target shooting because of its accuracy and power.
Features 🔥
The 7.62x54R round has been around since 1891 and is used by militaries all over the world, including Russia, Finland, China, and Germany – just to name a few.
- 🟣 The type of bullet: Full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets are often chosen for their affordability and availability, but they may not always offer superior accuracy or stopping power. Soft point (SP) bullets offer better accuracy and more expansion upon impact for greater damage potential but can cost more.
- 🟣 The cartridge casings: Brass-cased rounds tend to have higher heat tolerances than steel or aluminum-cased rounds, and they also provide a tighter fit and seal when fired. Copper casings are sometimes chosen due to their corrosion resistance, but they may not be as durable as brass or steel.
- 🟣 The powder load: Powder-loaded rounds offer greater accuracy and range than low-powered ones but can lead to higher recoil felt by the shooter.
Benefits 😍
7.62x54R ammo offers several key benefits that make it an attractive choice for firearm enthusiasts.
- 💣 Its use in military rifles and machine guns gives it a legendary reputation for being reliable and powerful, offering great accuracy and stopping power.
- 💣 It is also one of the most affordable forms of ammunition on the market, making it perfect for budget-conscious shooters who are looking to maximize their bang for their buck.
- 💣 In addition, these cartridges have relatively high muzzle velocities compared to other rifle calibers, making them ideal for use at longer ranges where higher velocity rounds can help maintain accuracy at greater distances.
- 💣 Finally, ammo is available in a variety of weights and types, allowing shooters to customize their loadout for different shooting scenarios.
How to choose it? 🔍
When searching for the best 7.62x54R ammo, there are several factors to consider to get the most reliable and accurate rounds. This includes:
- ✅ Bullet weight: The heavier the bullet, the more energy it will create on impact and making it a better choice in certain applications such as hunting or long-range shooting.
- ✅ Velocity: The higher velocity of a round will help with accuracy and distance traveled.
- ✅ Price point: When shopping for ammunition, budget is an important factor to consider. Find a quality product at an affordable price point that meets your needs.
- ✅ Additionally, pay close attention to the manufacturer’s reputation when selecting ammunition.
😉 When selecting the best ammo, make sure to take into account these factors to ensure the most reliable and accurate rounds for your needs.
Best 🚀 7.62x54R Ammo Reviews
1# 7.62x54r – 174 Grain HPBT Sierra Match King – Sellier & Bellot
Searching for a top-of-the-line 7.62x54R round that is sure to deliver accurate, precise shots? Look at the 174 Grain HPBT Sierra Match King from Sellier & Bellot. With a long history of producing high-quality ammunition, you can be confident that this round will meet your expectations. The Sierra Match King boat tail projectile design ensures flatter trajectories, making it ideal for competition shooting or hunting. reloadable brass case makes this an economical choice for those who enjoy shooting regularly. Don’t miss your chance to get your hands on this top-of-the-line 7.62x54R round!
2# 7.62x54r – 203 Grain SP – Silver Bear
The 7.62x54R is a powerhouse of a round, perfect for sniping and long-range target shooting. But its accuracy and power also make it ideal for hunting deer and other games. Silver Bear’s soft point 7.62x54R ammunition is a great choice for hunters, as the exposed lead tip expands on impact for a clean kill, without fragmenting and damaging the meat or trophy. Compared to other 7.62x54R ammo, this load trades velocity for a heavier bullet and deeper penetration; making it an excellent choice for taking down larger deer and other big game. So stock up today and be prepared for your next hunting adventure.
3# 7.62x54r – 148 Grain FMJ – Tula
Introducing the 7.62x54R – 148 Grain FMJ from Tula. This newly manufactured ammunition is perfect for anyone who needs an economical and reliable option. Our findings show that this particular cartridge complies with CIP requirements and features a polymer-coated steel casing with a non-corrosive Berdan primer. So you can rest assured that you’re getting a high-quality product that will perform well in the range. Pick up a box or two of 7.62x54R – 148 Grain FMJ from Tula today and see for yourself why this ammo is so popular among shooters!
4# 7.62x54r – 148 Grain FMJ – Wolf Military Classic
Do you want to purchase reliable ammunition for your Mosin-Nagant? Consider the Military Classic 7.62x54R 148 Grain FMJ from Wolf. This cartridge has a bimetallic FMJ bullet, which means it’s tough and resistant to warping, yet gentle on the barrel of your firearm. The copper pad also helps keep the gun in good condition between cleanings. The steel sleeve is also economical, making it a great choice for shooters searching for value. So, if you need reliable, inexpensive, and effective ammo, Wolf’s Military Classic 7.62x54R 148 Grain FMJ is the perfect choice for you.
How to reload it? 🧑🔧
Reloading 7.62x54R ammo is more involved than other calibers due to its rimmed case design and long neck.
- ➡️ The process involves loading the bullet, powder, primer, and a resizing die into a reloading press.
- ➡️ Once the components have been loaded into the press, the round can be cycled through it to finish assembly.
📝 It’s important to note that reloading any cartridge requires special knowledge and tools. We recommend researching 9mm reloading techniques before attempting to load 7.62x54R cartridges.
🚨 As always, be sure to follow all proper safety procedures when reloading ammunition.
FAQ 🙂
Conclusion 😊
The 7.62x54R cartridge is a powerful round that has been used for centuries in Russia and other parts of the world. It’s still popular today with hunters, sports shooters, and militaries around the globe. In this article, we looked at some of the best ammo on the market today. We also answered some common questions about it to help you make an informed purchase decision. Thanks for reading! 😉👍
I just bought my first gun, a Mosin, and I ordered surplus ammo online without reading the full description. Unfortunately, the outdoor range I want to go to doesn’t allow steel-core ammo, which is what I ended up purchasing. I’m not sure if all outdoor ranges have similar rules, but I need to figure out what to do with all this ammo.
From my experience, whether or not steel core ammo is allowed at an outdoor range depends on the specific range. Some outdoor ranges have natural backstops, so they don’t have an issue with steel-core ammo. However, it’s always best to call ahead of time and ask about their policies. I’m sure they get this question a lot, so don’t hesitate to give them a call.
Based on my experience, outdoor ranges may have different policies regarding ammo types. Some may prohibit armor-piercing rounds, while others may only disallow steel core ammo. For example, some ranges may permit the use of Mosin surplus or M855, but not other types of armor-piercing rounds. To ensure safety for everyone, it’s always best to clarify the range’s policies by asking about their specific restrictions on ammo types.
Understandably, one could accidentally purchase steel core ammo for their Mosin rifle. In this situation, it’s best to purchase regular lead rounds instead, as Mosins are already known for their high power and accuracy without the need for steel core ammo. It’s wise to reserve the steel core ammo for use in appropriate locations such as the desert, where it won’t cause any safety concerns.
I recently bought some ammo, which is advertised as Romanian light ball ammo. However, when I received it, the stamped code on the spam can was 188/89, and it was supposed to be Russian copper-washed ammo from 1989. I haven’t had a chance to try this ammo out yet, but I’m hoping someone here might have experience with this particular stamping or similar years from the 188 code. If reports are poor, I would prefer to return them, but I won’t have a chance to shoot them for another week. Thank you for any help or advice.
Surplus ammo, by definition, is inexpensive. The fact that it’s 20+ years old means that it was produced cheaply even when it was new. But that’s precisely why we buy it – because it’s affordable. I don’t use my Mosin rifle for hunting; it’s more of a fun/collector piece for me. That’s why I stockpile surplus ammo – it’s affordable, and I hate the idea of using expensive ammo that costs $2 per shot in a rifle that only cost me $99. If you want higher-quality ammo, then you’ll have to pay for it. Brands like Winchester and S&B can cost upwards of $15 for a box of 20 rounds, whereas surplus ammo can cost as little as $5 per 20 rounds at my local shop.
If you plan to hunt with your Nagant rifle, it’s not recommended to use surplus ammo with full metal jacket bullets. If you find that the surplus ammo doesn’t shoot tight groups, you can use it for shooting at moving targets at close range. Remember, the best way to improve your shooting skills is by practicing with a large quantity of ammo.
I’m curious to know what firearm this 7.62x54r ammunition would theoretically be fired from for home defense.
As a Mosin owner, I’ve been considering the issue of penetration and potential use for home defense. I came across Czech 46gr training rounds that may be worth exploring if penetration is a concern. While they may still penetrate an intruder, they may not cycle well in a Vepr. If I were in a situation where I had to rely on my Mosin for home defense and had no other options, I would choose the Czech training ammo first and keep some red/black tip rounds on hand as a backup.
Are there any good factory loads for 7.62x54R hunting ammo or am I stuck with using ammo or reloading?
As for my experience, I have taken down a deer using the 7.62x54r – 203 Grain SP – Silver Bear and it performed decently. Nowadays, I prefer to use my own reloads for hunting with 7.62x54R.
For hunting, I’ve had good results using 174 Grain HPBT Sierra Match King – Sellier & Bellot ammo out of my M38, and my “D” stamped M39 does great with 203 Grain SP – Silver Bear. Both would be fine for deer out to a couple of hundred yards. With factory ammunition, you’re usually stuck with either a soft-point or full metal jacket option. Some match-grade options offer improved accuracy but don’t do much for hunting.