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what do you think about the 7.62x54 for deer?i am wundering becuose ican git ammo for cheap.

7.62x54R is in the 30-06 league, same velocities with same bullet weights. Only one is .308 and the other has a .310 bore when they are unissued. I can't vouch for the imported softpoint hunting ammo (cheap FMJ is a no-no for hunting), and I know that to reload for it, good bullets are lacking. Best powerful accurate load that I have found to date is using a .311 180gr roundnose. I've been reloading the round for over 12 years now in every way shape and form for my 7 different Mosin models.

can you use bullets meant for the .303 for the 7.62x54r? I just got a m44 carbine and am wondering about ammunition options myself.

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In factory ammo I recommend using Sellier & Bellot 180gr S.P.; good ammo and the brass is reloadable.

762mm- I'm just getting into reloading for my 91/30 and my M-44 so that bullet weight you recommended is one I'm gonna try, since I've had good results with the factory ammo in that weight.
PS- Could you post some of your load data? Would greatly appreciate it.

"Lord, make me fast and accurate."

I second BigEd on the Sellier & Bellot 180gr SP.

Use the 7.62x54R in any situation you'd feel comfortable with a .30/06 or .308

Briman, you CAN use bullets intended for the .303 British and the 7.65mm Argentine Mauser to load the 7.62X54R. In addition, I have had some good results with Sierra 200 grain .308 bullets in both the .303 British and the Argentine Mauser, so would not be too surprised if the same bullets would work OK in a 7.62X54R as well. It would be worth a try. (Actually, there are some reasonably good .311" hunting bullets available in 150, 174, and 180 grains from Sierra, Speer, and Hornady.)

Keep yore powder dry!!

Okay here is one tried and true load data I tested through a PU scoped 91/30 Mosin sniper for accuracy potential, and it does give a tight cluster. Actual velocity across my Chrony is at 2500fps. This load was worked up using Sierra's data:

Lapua casings
CCI large rifle primers
50gr of Hodgdon H-380 powder
180gr Remington Corelokt .311 (.303 type) diameter bullets.

If you find other load data for the 180gr bullets, always start at the minimum loads, especially when firing a .311 jacketed bullet through a .310 bore. Using .311's is especially good for worn out bore Mosins, to bring accuracy back.

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In factory ammo I recommend using Sellier & Bellot 180gr S.P.; good ammo and the brass is reloadable.

762mm- I'm just getting into reloading for my 91/30 and my M-44 so that bullet weight you recommended is one I'm gonna try, since I've had good results with the factory ammo in that weight.
PS- Could you post some of your load data? Would greatly appreciate it.

"Lord, make me fast and accurate."
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

762mm-Thanks for the reply on the reloading data. :)

"Lord, make me fast and accurate."

I slugged the barrel of my m44, it appears to have a .314 bore diameter. Is this normal or is this barrel worn out?

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Briman, it is not too unusual to find Moisin-Nagant bores that are somewhat oversize, and it seems yours is one of them!! What condition does it seem to be in? Are the lands and grooves clear and sharp? If so, it is not necessarily worn out, just a little on the large size. Because of this, it may require .311-.313 bullets to shoot accurately. It might also do well with as-cast .311-.314 diameter cast bullets.

Keep yore powder dry!!

check out www.milsurpshooter.net I believe they have a hunting with military surplus rifle forum that will have some information about hunting loads. I have a few Mosin-Nagants myself, but that akward safety scares me away from hunting with them.

At first the bore looked horribly pitted, but I noticed that the bayonet on the side that the muzzle would be on looked the same. I took a brillo pad to the bayonet and found the pitted looking area was just some hard sooty crud. The bore seems to give up more black gunk the more I scrub it, but is no where near shiny and smooth yet. The rifling looks almost rounded, but it might just be gummed up with crud.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms... who's bringing the chips?