Reloading for Mosin Nagant

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Prof Young

New member
Loaders:

As I near the end of my first purchase of the sardine can of 7.62X54r milsurp ammo I'm wondering if I should get some brass and hand load my own? I'm already a loader so I have the gear save for the dies. BUT at about 27 cents a shot for milsurp I'm not sure I can do any better on the per shot cost? I only shoot the gun for fun and since I have the octagonal receiver with the hammer and cycle stamped right on it I'm sure it will stay in my collection if for no other reason than the historical value. Anyone out there reloading for their mosin? What kind of per shot cost do you get?

Live well, be safe
Prof Young
 
Well, the simple answer is no- I think- unless you find some really cheap bullets...

The cost of commercial jacketed bullets alone from Hornady or Sierra exceeds .30- so you're already above the cost of the surplus ammo with just the cost of the bullet alone; let alone pro-rated brass, primers and powder; and your time.

You might be able to find some pulled .308 military bullets for less- but, they'll likely shoot like crap. You'd need to change out the expander ball in the sizing die to .308 from .311 if you try it.

I handload for accuracy, not cost. For plinking, you can't beat the cost of the surplus.
 
reloading 54r is pricey, but s mandatory if you want real accuracy from your mosin. but the powder alone is pretty ridiculous cost-wise, your looking at a pound of powder for about 160 bullets. you'll never get close to surplus price.
 
I did not start off on my own, but going to the range with a guy who started hunting and reloading with Mosin Nagants the 1960s.

I made a vid of him shooting a buck antelope with one of his Mosins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S7vdJVDSNQ

He, to this day, uses 4350 and Sierra 180 gr .311" game king.

By 2004 I realized that I prefered to work up with that bullet, Lapua brass, and 4895 to stiff bolt lift and then back off 2 grains.

I got discouraged by the lack of good 0.313" boat tailed hunting bullets for the old Mosin Nagant miliary barrels.

Since then I have converted MNs to 45/70, 30-30, 7mmRemMag, .223, and 300 Win Mag.
 
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