First batch of 7.62x54r reloaded :-)

[snayperskaya]

Well I shot the first batch of handloads the other Saturday and initial results were......disappointing and not as good as the results I get with milsurp.

I loaded the rounds at the starting load of 42gr of N140 and went to 43gr which would appear to be too low as when I measured some of the fired cases against some non-fired there seemed to be very little case expansion and there was quite a bit of dirty sooty blowby (which I don't get with milsurp rounds) so it would appear the pressure is low and not expanding the case neck properly.....does this sound about right?.

On the advice of, and under the guidance of, a seasoned reloader I've loaded another batch starting at 45gr up to 46.5gr using a 170gr .311" PPU bullet, will start with the 45s first and see how it goes.At 46.5gr they are still under the max load for that bullet weight/powder type but I'll check each case after it's fired to be on the safe side.

I think I also got carried away with the first lot as I loaded different bullet weights whereas I should have just concentrated on getting a good accurate load for one bullet before moving on to a load for a different bullet......part of the learning curve I suppose.

[Alpha1]

You are on the right track keep going.

[WelshShooter]

[...]I loaded the rounds at the starting load of 42gr of N140 and went to 43gr which would appear to be too low as when I measured some of the fired cases against some non-fired there seemed to be very little case expansion and there was quite a bit of dirty sooty blowby (which I don't get with milsurp rounds) so it would appear the pressure is low and not expanding the case neck properly.....does this sound about right?.

That's right correct. You're also lucky if you don't get any gas blowback too. I fired factory "8mm Mauser" in my Yugo M48 and found that it is really underpowered and there wasn't much case neck obturation. Some gas was blowing back towards me and the bolt was pretty dirty. Lucky I was wearing eye protection at the time, not that the gasses would have done much damage as it felt pretty cool and wasn't hot at all. Turns out that Privi make two sets of 8mm Ammunition - "8mm Mauser" and "8x57IS" the former which is designed for the older Gew88 (.318 bore) and the latter for the kar98 (.323 bore).

As Alpha mentioned you're on the right track and you'll continually learn as you go along. It's best if you take your time and don't change too many things all at once. Looking forward to seeing your first set of groups!