Reduced loads for .303 Brit and 7.62x54mm Russian?

Pumpkinslinger

I've been thinking about loading some plinking loads for a SMLE and a Mosin using the bullets below. They are 123 grain, polymer coated. Has anyone seen any reduced loads for these cartridges that will give me a starting point? The manufacturer says they are most accurate at about 1700-1800 ft.sec.

lucky13bullets.com/ind...uumhmq1fp5

PaulS

The two best powders for reduced loads are TrailBoss and H4895.
Hodgdon lists a 45 grain maximum charge of H4895 with a 125 grain bullet in the 303, so you can load a minimum charge at 27 grains and probably reduce it another grain for the heavier bullet.
In the 7.62x54R they list a compressed load of 54 grains of H4895 with a 125 grain bullet so you can load down to 32.4 minus a grain for the 130 reduced load.
these are both recommended by Hodgdon for reduced loads.

With TrailBoss you pour the powder into the case to where it will fill it to the base of the bullet, weigh it and the load 90% of that charge as your starting load. This will usually give you lower velocities than the H4895 loads.

There is always the standard lead bullet loads using Unique at 12 grains too - you are not supposed to need filler in any of these loads.

Pumpkinslinger

Thanks Paul. Apparently some folks have run these at 2800 ft/sec but no reports on accuracy.

Aloysius

Pumpkin, I recently started reloading the .303 Br for my son-in-law and your zombi-bullets are very close to the 126 gr FMJ used in a Kalashnikov. I load these 126 grs FMJ in front of 14 grs TrailBoss with good results. What kind of dies are you using? Standard .303 Br. dies? Then you might have a problem as your bullet does not have a tight fit in the neck. For such load I necksize (about 80 % of the neck) the .303 Br. cases in a .308 Win die. Works fine for me.

And don't forget that you can also use blackpowder. But I still don't understand how they managed to get 70 grs FF BP in such a case. The original load was 70 grs FF BP behind a 215 gr RN Cu-Ni-jacketed.
I can get about 57,5 till maximum 60 grs BP in a .303 Br. case and normally I put a 180 grs lead (RCBS mould) or the 180 grs lead with GC (from the Saeco mould) on top. Lead .308 bullets best left unsized, but sized till .308 and using the .308 Win to necksize the .303 case also works.

And for reduced loads I always recommend to have a quick view on the site of H&N as they also sell a 165 grs coated bullet. I'll try to add the link...

www.hn-sport.de/en/pro...ading.html

and now I saw that they also sell a 180 grs bullet special for the .303 Br. Maybe I was playing a little bit too cheap by using their 165 gr .308 bullet...
Both work fine. The trick with their bullets is that you take the loaddata they advice and you change the OAL of you bullets till you have your smallest groupe.

Have fun. And show some respect. The .303 Br did win 2 wars... Smile

gelandangan

25 grains of hodgon 4895 is likely to bring you to your target speed.
You can use 10 grains of Unique or RED DOT or CLAYS as well, all would likely bring you close to your target velocity with pressure well within the SAAMI range.

I suggest to tip the rifle UP before shooting to consolidate the powder to the back of the case near the primer. Doing so would likely improve powder burn consistency and thus accuracy.

Vince

I harken back to Robert Lee's book for developing reduced loads using cast bullets...match your alloy to the powder and load and you can have all sorts of fun. So long as you know the BHN # of your alloy bullet, you can develop a load for different powders by applying Lee's principles.

A couple of other powders to consider are Alliant 2400 and PROMO. However, before using these powders do a little research on Lee's principles and information.

Pumpkinslinger

Thanks all! I'll post some results when I get a chance to try some of this.

Elvis

Ill dig some out for you if you cant find them but best projectiles for that use are 123 grn ones for 7.62x39mm which are .310
heaps of guys using them in .303 brit with good results

Aloysius

Elvis, you're right. I should correct myself: it's not 126 grs but 123 grs FMJ. But the tip with 14 grs TB is correct

RePete

Have a look here, you may find something.

www.303british.com/id28.html

Elvis

my Nick Harvey manual has about 15 loads for 130s all sorts of powders

Gil Martin

I agree with you good folks. I have been using IMR4895 or Unique with cast bullets in the .303 British and the 7.62X54mm Russian with good results. All the best...
Gil

MacD

You may also wish to look at AA5744. It is also advertised as being used for reduced rifle loads. I am sure an email to them would yield some loads for both calibres with that bullet. I have found them pretty good in the past.

MacD

While cleaning up my bookmarks I came across this post. You may find it useful.
forums.gunboards.com/s...-CE-Harris

PaulS

Mac,
Great find! I copied and pasted the info so if the website disappears I will always have it.