Winchester 1895 in 7.62x54R

[kevin.303]

soon i'll be the owner of a winchester 7.62x54R sporter. don't worry i didn't bubba an original Russian musket, but it's a combonation of a .30-40 Krag action that had a s**tty barrel, and a minty Russian Contract 26" original barrel. i will need wood, and all i can find is buttstocks, no fore ends. i've checked boyd's, western gunparts, lots of places. numrich had them at one time but not anymore. is there someplace i can look that i haven't yet?


also ammo is another major concern. for now i'm working on the assumption that most of the available surplus might be too hot for a lever action. i'm pretty sure the Hungarian 174 gr yellow tipped stuff available locally is too hot, as i think it was originally intended for machine guns. i figure to buy some, pull the bullets, remove the propellent then reseat over a known charge of a suitable. shouldn't be a problem with this should there? also is there any of the commercially made stuff like Igman or Norma that might be too hot for it?

and last thing is i will need a rear sight. i am quite pleased with the Williams recevier peep on my '94, is there a similar one i can use for the '95? also will a Lyman No.2 tang sight fit as well?

[muskeg13]

For a forestock why not try a Graybeard advertiser, http://www.gunstocksinc.com/?  (Look for the banner at the top of these pages)  You may also try www.treebonecarving.com.  Treebone did me right a few years ago on a  Remington rolling block stock.  The Lyman #2 tang sight may not work due to the length of the bolt throw (The bolt may come back too far and hit the sight), althought it is advertised for the Marlin 1895.  I've seen Lyman M66 receiver sights adapted to the Winchester 1895, and you can get a Lyman M38 replica from Buffalo Arms (or Parts Unknown).  The M38 was a special order option on original M1895s.  The drawbacks are the price @$225, and the replica sights require some gunsmithing to get them to fit.   I have both an original M38 on an original M1895 carbine and a replica M38 on a new USRAC M1895.  On the new rifle, my groups shrunk by half when I went from the factory buckhorn sight to the Parts Unknown M38.  As for loads, I'd handload and make sure to use recipes that generate about 40,000psi or so max.  The M1895 action is strong, but not as strong as a bolt.  Factory loads are too strong for my original M1895 30-06 carbine.  If you don't handload, it's time to start.  You might want to begin with a Lee Loader and get a set of balance or digital scales.  You won't regret it.

[kevin.303]

i do handload, and wasn't planning on putting factory ammo through this rifle. am gonna pull the bullet from a surplus, discard the military powder, so i am left with a one time use primed case.a lot of work, especially with cleaning because it will be corrosive, but my cheapest option that i've found so far.

[kevin.303]

also just talked to gunstocks inc, they will ship to canada and have the best price on wood i have found, both peices i need for $75 US is better then i thought.

[Rick Teal]

Districorp in Montreal used to carry a couple of different types of 7.62X54 ammo.  You might want to check them out at www.districorp.ca .

[fastbike]

You can also try Sportsman's Guide, the Wolf Gold ammo. This is brass case, boxed primed, good to reload. Remember that your surplus is almost certainly steel cased and will be problematic if you need to resize the case at all.

i do handload, and wasn't planning on putting factory ammo through this rifle. am gonna pull the bullet from a surplus, discard the military powder, so i am left with a one time use primed case.a lot of work, especially with cleaning because it will be corrosive, but my cheapest option that i've found so far.

[kevin.303]

i was thinkinh of the wolf stuff, but it's not available here in canada and importing ammo is more of a headache then it's worth.

[454Puma]

kevin.303
 Why? I mean why go with a cartridge that you can't get? Or components to reload ! 

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

The same reason I chose a Swedish rolling block in 8 x 58 R Danish Krag1.  Because it's there!

The "districorp" link above has brass boxer primed ammo at about  $12 CAD per 20.  We can do most things, but we have to be somewhat innovative to get what we "need"  (My local dealer charges about $27/20 for the same or similar ammo)

[kevin.303]

well given the barrel was chambered for that cartridge and couldn't be easily rechambered, didn't have much of a choice. components are actually very easy to get,(working for a large sporting goods store also helps, as does the healthy discount) and like i said i can always pull apart and recharge surplus ammo.

[86er]

I had an Argentine Mauser in that caliber, but didn't reload for it 'cause ammo was almost free back then. I don't know the SAAMI specs on it, either.

I have used plenty of modern commercial  and milsurp ammo in my '95 .30-06 SRC, but my favorite load for that little gun is a tad lighter than the modern fodder.

[Blackhawk44]

Kevin- Marbles has a tang sight for the '95's, original, Browning and tang safety Winchester.  Love mine for the windage adjustment. 

[ottawa rogue]

as far as load data goes, this oughta be a start
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
they've got a nice selection for the 54r

[S.S.]

That should be a nice piece when you are done with it !
Post some Pics.