150 gr. Hornady in 7.62x54R

[Win75]

I am thinking about using my Finn Model 28 for deer hunting this year.

Would a Hornady 150 gr. round nose bullet be good for deer in the 100 yard limit I am placing on myself for this gun?

I am looking at IMR4350 as the powder to use.

[Rocky Raab]

That's an exceptionally good bullet choice - if the diameter is right. Most former Commie guns have .310" bores, instead of the more common .308". If your rifle already shoots regualr .308" bullets fine, the Hornady RN should be great. But if you haven't handloaded for this rifle yet, it would be best to slug the bore first.

Thoroughly clean and then lightly oil the bore. Now take a lead "egg" sinker or lead roundball for muzzleloading that's just slightly larger than the bore. Oil it lightly, place it on the muzzle and tap it in gently with a block of hardwood and hammer. Once in the bore, push it through with a wooden dowel that just fits the bore. (Don't use a metal rod or a dowel that's too small, or you could damage the bore.)

When the slug drops out, catch it carefully. I use a pad of folded towels on the floor. Carefully measure the diameter from ridge to ridge - which mirrors the groove-to-groove diameter of the bore. If in doubt, repeat with anew slug.

[denton]

I don't know why you would place a 100 yard limit on yourself with a fine rifle like that. It is quite a potent round, and ordinarily, the Finnish Mosins are quite accurate. My 1944 M39 will do 2" or better five-shot groups at 100 yards, and I don't think it is anything out of the ordinary.

Military bores do vary, so you should do the slugging thing. However, I've heard serious collectors opine that all the Finns slug at .310". I can't vouch for the general statement, but mine does.

I do have a strain gauge on mine, and have done some load development. In my rifle, 50 grains of Varget and a 150 grain Speer .310" bullet get me 2840 FPS and a trifle over 50 KPSI peak on a hot day. With the more manageable barrel length of the M28, you'd probably still be around 2800. Your results will undoubtedly be somewhat different from mine.

I'm not at all embarrassed to take mine out after deer or elk.

[Win75]

Thanks for the replies.

I have slugged the bore and it is around .309-.310.

Standard surplus ammo gives pressure signs and that is why I slugged the barrel to begin with. I pulled the bullets from some S&B ammo and loaded a few 150 grain FMJ .308 bullets. I got a 3 shot group at 50 yards of a little less than an inch.

100 yards with open sights and my old eyes (my wife says I am not old but at 57, I don't pick up open military sights like I used to) is a limit on deer that I think I need to set to keep from just wounding the animal.

I was just not sure if the round nose bullet was a good choice.

Thanks again.

[Rocky Raab]

In that case, your choices are responsible and prudent. You'll be delighted with the roundnose.

[denton]

I have pressure tested S&B ammo in this caliber, and it is definitely on the hot side. I measured about 58 KPSI peak. I'm not comfortable with that pressure level in Mosins.

You might also take a look at Mojo sights. My eyes are 63, and I have a hard time seeing the rear sight anymore. The Mojos are very simple to install, and they help me a lot. www.mojosights.com.

Some Mosins have chambers that are slightly too long or too large. They will routinely split steel cased ammo, but brass normally has enough stretch. For those, I shoot only brass cased ammo, and then neck size.

My suggestion is to stick with bullets made for the .303. A bullet .002" undersize will often lead to excessive throat erosion.

Sounds like you're doing it all just right... hope you have a great time, and a successful hunt.

[squirrelman]

You will have no problems with your choice of bullet. Good luck...