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I have aquired some 7.62x54r .311" tracer bullets courtesy of a forum member and have some questions, bear with me as I don't reload myself.

I have two types of bullet, an early version that is 37.9mm long and a later version that is 35mm long , when they are seated in the case the early version sits 2.9mm further into the case.Both versions weigh approx 150gr.
Because the early version sits 2.9mm further into the case would you use less powder?, would using the powder weight for, say, a 180gr bullet seem about right .Regarding powder I believe the powder type for Russian tracer rounds is the same type as used in the standard rifle cartridge (I have emailed the factory in Novosibirsk to confirm this, awaiting an answer) so would it be possible to pull the bullets from standard steel cased rounds, resize the neck of the primed case and reload the tracer bullet with the original powder?.
Any help with this would be appreciated as complete tracer rounds in 54r seem to be impossible to find.Also would be interested in more 54r/.303 .311 tracer bullets if anyone has any.

oooh, Russki fireflies !

*Awaits developments with interest*

Anyone?....any positive help or advice appreciated

I thought someone had found a source in Europe based on the last time we discussed this. Can't we get an RFD to bring a pallet in. I remember the issue about it being mixed in with section 5 stuff but there must be a way.

Charlotte the flyer wrote:I thought someone had found a source in Europe based on the last time we discussed this. Can't we get an RFD to bring a pallet in. I remember the issue about it being mixed in with section 5 stuff but there must be a way.

I found a supplier in the Czech Republic for live tracer rounds but got no response via email, I also had a mate who is a RFD email them but they also got no response.

What I am discussing here, or trying to, is not complete rounds but reloading 54r tracer bullets.......

Would measurements from a complete tracer round help?

Mark

bigfathairybiker wrote:Would measurements from a complete tracer round help?

Mark

Hi Mark,

I believe the overall length of a complete 54r tracer round is the same as standard ammunition.What would help is if a tracer round was pulled and the powder weight measured, also a pic of the powder would be good to see if it extruded or ball.I have compared the powder type marked on 54r spam cans and the powder designation seems to be the same for tracer rounds as it is for standard ammunition, both are marked "BT"

Pulling the bullet and weighing the powder would not give the answer as each powder is different .
What weight is the bullet and what length is it? (Grains and inches please don't do modern measurements )
I'll see what quickload suggests and compare the data to 7.62×51 tracer data I have.

MiLisCer wrote:Pulling the bullet and weighing the powder would not give the answer as each powder is different .
What weight is the bullet and what length is it? (Grains and inches please don't do modern measurements )
I'll see what quickload suggests and compare the data to 7.62×51 tracer data I have.

Ok Mike, will post the measurements later.I was thinking about the powder weight as the powder type designation are the same for both standard and tracer ammunition unless I'm mistaken.

Why tracer rounds ?