Author Topic: 7.62x54R Handi? (Read 1219 times)

just-an-illusion · « **on:** December 13, 2012, 02:24:32 PM »

Has anyone reamed a Handi to 7.62x54R? With the surplus x54R ammo so cheap,(440 rds $99 at my local dealer) I could see this a being a fun and affordable general purpose round. I'm thinking a 308 barrel would be a good canidate. 4d has the reamers. What says GBO?

Thanks, Illusion

tacklebury · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2012, 02:50:58 PM »

It's been discussed. 7.62x54R is actually a .311 bullet though. It was thought that stubbing a donor barrel might be a better way.

Spanky · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2012, 05:10:10 PM »

D. White says he can do rechambers from 308 to 7.62x54.
It'd be a nice one to have in a Handi. Cheap ammo for plinking and some good handloads for hunting.

Spanky

cudatruck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2012, 06:02:19 PM »

alot of the ammo comes with .308 bullets but most the surplus stuff is .311. lee reloading dies come set up for .308 bullets. i have loaded a few hundred for mosin nagant 91/30. it shoots the .308 just fine. if you reamed a .308 win barrel to 7.62x54R and shot true .311 ammo especially the steel jacketed crap, might not be too good for your barrel. just take a caliper shopping with you. I was thinking this might be an interesting one to neck up or down. maybe a .358x54R? or a 7mmx54R? 6mmx54R? nice rimmed case to start with.

hillbill · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2012, 06:22:49 PM »

hmmm a very good question,id rather jus buy a good mosin and shoot it.ammo is cheap but i reload so thats not a prob with the 308 bore yu already have.id rather not reload for a obsolete caliber that its hard to obtain brass cases for.and yes i know yu can reload sum of them.

Dinny · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2012, 09:38:27 PM »

7.62x39 (.311") accessory barrels may still be available through the Barrel Accessory Program. You could shoot cheap military ammo thorugh that or rechamber to the 54r.

Thanks, Dinny

jpshaw · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2012, 03:56:11 AM »

I know the 7.62 x 54R would have the advantage of cheap surplus ammo but I think I would still just ream a .30-30 to .30-40 Krag, buy about 100 rounds of Starline brass and not worry about the varying bore diameters. Right now I'm having too much fun with my .30-30 to do anything with it anyway.

Mr.Crowley · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2012, 03:57:14 AM »

you can re-bore too. I personally would use a .22 hornet or .223 barrel and re-bore to .300 bore/.310 groove then cut the 7.62x54r chamber. extractor/ejector mods would have to be considered.

Dinny · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2012, 04:37:10 AM »

Quote from: Mr.Crowley on December 14, 2012, 03:57:14 AM

you can re-bore too. I personally would use a .22 hornet or .223 barrel and re-bore to .300 bore/.310 groove then cut the 7.62x54r chamber. extractor/ejector mods would have to be considered.

That's about $150-$200 more than a rechamber, but it's a good option if the donor barrel is already on-hand.

I considered this same project and was planning to use two 7.62x39 barrels. Keep one as is and make the other a x54r. For some odd reason I just can't bring myself to house the same calibers that have attempted to take my life on so many occasions. $:-\$

Quote from: jpshaw on December 14, 2012, 03:56:11 AM

I know the 7.62 x 54R would have the advantage of cheap surplus ammo but I think I would still just ream a .30-30 to .30-40 Krag, buy about 100 rounds of Starline brass and not worry about the varying bore diameters. Right now I'm having too much fun with my .30-30 to do anything with it anyway.

I like the 30-40 Krag suggestion. So much that I plan to rechamber one of my 30-30 barrels when I return home. Graf's has 30-40 K brass on sale right now too.

Thanks, Dinny

Spanky · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2012, 06:52:34 PM »

Quote from: -Dinny on December 15, 2012, 04:37:10 AM

Quote from: Mr.Crowley on December 14, 2012, 03:57:14 AM
you can re-bore too. I personally would use a .22 hornet or .223 barrel and re-bore to .300 bore/.310 groove then cut the 7.62x54r chamber. extractor/ejector mods would have to be considered.

That's about $150-$200 more than a rechamber, but it's a good option if the donor barrel is already on-hand.

I considered this same project and was planning to use two 7.62x39 barrels. Keep one as is and make the other a x54r. For some odd reason I just can't bring myself to house the same calibers that have attempted to take my life on so many occasions. $:-\$

Quote from: jpshaw on December 14, 2012, 03:56:11 AM
I know the 7.62 x 54R would have the advantage of cheap surplus ammo but I think I would still just ream a .30-30 to .30-40 Krag, buy about 100 rounds of Starline brass and not worry about the varying bore diameters. Right now I'm having too much fun with my .30-30 to do anything with it anyway.

I like the 30-40 Krag suggestion. So much that I plan to rechamber one of my 30-30 barrels when I return home. Graf's has 30-40 K brass on sale right now too.

Thanks, Dinny

Nothing odd about that Dinny... I got rid of my x39 because it just didn't like the thought of it being around anymore.

Spanky

hoytcanon · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2012, 04:38:10 PM »

{quote}
I considered this same project and was planning to use two 7.62x39 barrels. Keep one as is and make the other a x54r. For some odd reason I just can't bring myself to house the same calibers that have attempted to take my life on so many occasions. $:-\$
Dinny
{quote}

Hey Dinny... if you get plumb sick of one of those 7.62X39 barrels, please keep me in mind! Thanks.

Dinny · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2012, 08:14:42 PM »

I couldn't bring my self to buy one.

Thanks, Dinny

hoytcanon · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2012, 01:28:58 AM »

Oh, I see... It sounded like you had two Russian's gathering dust in a closet... Thought I might let one out for fresh air!!! ;-)