III. Firearm Information by Type

D. Rifles

1. Commonly Available Cartridges

b. A Comprehensive List of Available 7.62x53 R Factory Loads

Last revised May 6th, 1996

With the recent imports of cheap Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines from the former Eastern Block countries, interest in this fine all-round cartridge has resurged. The rimmed 7.62 x 53 R, also called 7,62 x 54 R in some European countries, and not to be con- fused with the Franch 7.5 x 54 MAS or the Argentine 7.65 x 53 Mauser, is comparable in performance to the .308 Win and the .303 British.

A number of (semi-) wildcats have been developed on this cartridge, such as the 6.5 x 53 R, the 8.2 x 53 R and the 9.3 x 53 R; the latter two are still produced by Northern European manufacturers, the 9.3 being respected as a fine moose cartridge.

Since not all readers may be aware of the comparatively large choice of high-quality factory-loaded ammunition in this caliber, I have put together a short listing. Choose as you like :-)

[Note: all weights are in grams, not grains. 1 gram = 15.3 grains]

1. Norma (3 loads)
   11.7 g Softpoint
   10.9 g Sierra-Match
   9.7 g Softpoint
2. Lapua (4 loads)
   12 g FMJBT D 46
   11 g FMJBT D 46
   8 g FMJ 123
3. Sako (5 loads)
   13 g Softpoint Hammerhead
   11.7 g Softpoint Hammerhead
   11.7 g FMJ
   10.1 g Softpoint Hammerhead
   8 g FMJ (also as 50 rounds economy practice pack)
   6 g FMJ
4. Norinco (1 load)
   11.7 g FMJ
   Allegedly corrosive primers.
5. SK-Nimrod = Polish Mesko (2 loads)
   11.6 g Softpoint
   9.6 g FMJ

And if you really want to hit something, use a Finnish Mosin-Nagant, e.g. a Mod. 28, M 28/30 or M 39 - these are generally considered the best in terms of worksmanship and accurancy (also at long ranges).