History of 7.62x54mmR Ammunition
Entering service with the Russian Army in 1891, the 7.62x54mmR is the cartridge used in the Mosin-Nagant rifle. A rifle still popular among civilian users across the world, the 7.62x54mmR can still be found in military use as well. Most notably in the Dragunov sniper rifle, however the PKM machine gun also uses the 7.62x54mmR cartridge. With over 120 years in continuous service, the 7.62x54mmR is the longest serving military small arms cartridge in the world.
The nomenclature of the 7.62x54mmR has been misunderstood so that the R stands for Russian, when actually it stands for Rimmed, a description of the case. Ballistics of the 7.62x54mmR are very similar to the .308 Winchester cartridge. The original loading had a 210 grain bullet and a round nose full metal jacket. In 1908 it was replaced by a full metal jacketed spitzer point that weighed in at a much leaner 147 grains . This has remained as the most common bullet weight but the applications that this cartridge has had have spanned the gamut of rifle cartridge applications. For line infantry use, the full metal jacket bullet can be found with a steel core. There are also tracers, armor piercing and specially designed sniper ammunition.
The 7.62x54mmR is very respectable with muzzle velocities well above 3000 feet per second with some loads approaching 3500 feet per second. Bullet weights vary from 147 to over 200 grains. Easily generating over 2400 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle, the 7.62x54mmR can still carry over 1000 foot pounds of energy at 500 yards!
The 7.62x54mmR is used by target shooters and hunters across the world as it is fairly easy to find and compared to the .308 Winchester, very affordable. The Mosin Nagant is a popular entry level rifle in the United States as new shooters enjoy the affordable price of the rifle paired with the 7.62x54mmR ammo that can be bought and stored easily in the famous “Spam can”, a steel case that will normally hold 880 rounds of ammo for an indefinite period of time. Tula and Wolf are the main manufacturers of this ammunition, but other manufacturers do occasionally have runs of it as well.
The 7.62x54mmR is a great choice for the hunter and aspiring target shooter who wants to have an interesting, great performing cartridge that will take trophy game and win trophies at the range!
Discuss 7.62x54r ammunition by adding your comment to the 8 comments below or by asking a new question
- Drift Wood said: "This ammunition is well worth the price and would recommend it to anyone that likes this caliber. Only wish I had purchased more. I will need to reorder since what I bought only lasted one time at the range. Had to keep shooting for the accuracy was great. Clean up was fast as that this is definitely not corrosive."
- badass67 said: "I have two Nagant 7.62x54s they are long range rifles and the ammo performed very well. Right on the money!!!!!! Great price, excellent service. I've been shooting firearms for many years. I recomend this ammo to anyone. I also got some 7.62x38 for the Nagant Revolver no prob. Very happy with the products, and the service I recevied fron the whole team at Ammo Net. Thank you very much!!! "
- ghm said: "Of the few rounds I fired, it was very good. The cases were in excellent condition on arrival. I am totally satisfied with them. Thank-you."