Doug Bowser's 54R Ammo Tests
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Hello All,
The test was a success. The weather was mild and not windy. I used the following rifles and ammo combinations. All groups were fired at 100 yards.
M39 rifle with mint bore .310"
military ammuntition
1) Bulgarian brass cased ball marked 10-53, 149 gr bullet, 48 gr flake powder, bullet diameter = .311"
Muzzle velocity: low = 2789 fps high = 2908 fps
Group: 1.5" for 5 shots
2) Chinese brass cased ball marked 71-55, 149 gr bullet, 50 gr extruded powder, bullet diameter = .311"
Muzzle velocity: low = 2908 fps high = 2962 fps
Group: 1.75" for 5 shots
3) Russian yellow tip heavy ball marked 185 5 (55), 182 gr BT bullet, 48 gr extruded powder, bullet diameter = .310"
Muzzle velocity: low = 2634 fps high = 2685 fps
Group: 2.1" for 5 shots
4) Russian soft point marked LVE, 202 gr SP, 46 gr extruded powder, bullet diameter = .311"
Muzzle velocity: low = 2404 fps high = 2432 fps
Group: 2 5/8" for 5 shots
5) East German steel cased marked 21 78, 147 gr bullet, 47 gr extruded powder, bullet diameter = .311"
Muzzle velocity: low = 2744 fps high = 2828 fps
Group: 3.75" for 5 shots
6) Czech brass cased marked 3 0 10, 149 gr bullet, 46 gr flake powder, bullet diameter = .310"
Muzzle velocity: low = 2759 fps high = 2872 fps
Group: 4.5" for 5 shots
7) Egyptian brass cased marked factory 10 1970, 183 gr BT, 44 gr flake powder, bullet diameter = .309"
Muzzle velocity: low = 2510 fps high = 2624 fps
Groups: 12" for 4 shots
8) Finnish VPT 44 ammo all misfired no detonation.
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Reloads: Lapua Cases RWS Primers ( All Firing At 100 Yards)
1) Hornaday 100 gr hp, .312" pistol bullet, 16 gr 2400 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 1615 fps high = 1767 fps
Group: 4.25" for 5 shots
2) Sierra 150 gr SP, .311" rifle bullet, 42 gr IMR 4895 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2320 fps low = 2441 fps
Group: 4.5"
3) Lapua D46 170 gr step BT FMJ, .309" match bullet, 42 gr IMR 4895 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2382 fps high = 2405 fps
Group: 2.5 for 5 shots
4) Remington 125 gr .310" SP bullet ( 7.62X39 bullet ), 43.5 gr IMR 3031 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2635 fps high = 2766 fps
Group: 3" for 5 shots
5) Lapua D46 170 gr step BT FMJ, .309" match bullet, 40 gr IMR 3031 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2232 fps high = 2320 fps
Group:3" for 5 shots
6) Lapua D46 170 gr step BT, .309" match bullet, 45 gr IMR 4064 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2570 fps high = 2624 fps
Group:2" for 5 shots
7) Sierra 168 gr HPBT, .308" match bullet, 45 gr IMR 4064 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2635 fps high = 2766 fps
Group: 3.5" for 5 shots
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Model 1928/30 Finnish Rifle Bore Diameter .3082"
Reloads: Lapua Cases, RWS Primers ( Firing At 100 Yards )
1) Sierra 168 gr HPBT, .308" match bullet, 45 gr IMR 4064 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2520 fps high = 2568
Group: 2" for 5 shots
2) Lapua D46 170 gr step BT FMJ, .309" match bullet, 45 gr IMR 4064 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2607 fps high = 2651 fps
Group: 2.25" for 5 shots
3) Lapua D46 170 gr atep BT FMJ, .309" match bullet, 40 gr IMR 3031 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2335 fps high = 2364
Group: 1.5" for 5 shots
4) Winchester 150 gr SP, .308" bullet, 43.5 gr IMR 3031 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2629 fps high = 2678 fps
Group: 4" for 5 shots
5) Sierra 168 gr HPBT, .308 match bullet, 42 gr IMR 4895 powder
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2721 fps high = 2742 fps
Group: 2" for 4 shots
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Smith-Corona 1903 A3 As Issued Fired As Illustration Of The 7.62 X 54 Power Level
1) LC 1969 M2 Ball , 152 gr, .308 bullet, standard USGI loading
Muzzle Velocity: low = 2525 fps high = 2641
Group: not fired for grouping
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M1891/30 Tikka PU Sniper Rifle
This rifle is capable of .75" 3 shot groups at 100 yards. The trigger is so stiff that I will change the trigger parts with a set of a M27 Finn I have at the shop.
Note: I fired the velocity check on the 30-06 M2 Ball ammo to show that the 7.62 X 54 is more powerful than most military 30-06 loads.