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Be gentle as I don't currently reload but I am looking to start reloading 54r in the New Year specifically for my Dragunov .I have started getting some brass and after some reading up I think I have settled on using .311" 174gr SMK Hpbt bullets.
I have scoured the 'net and there is a bewildering assortment of powders and data available but I was wondering if someone on here with 54r reloading experience could give me some pointers with regard to start loads.I was thinking of N140 powder, is that suitable for what I am after?.
Any help and advice appreciated and any info given will be taken as a guide only.

Just a thought, I looked on the VVT website and there appears to be no data on a 54r load using 174gr bullets.....so what does everyone else use with regard to powders and FMJ bullets?.I'm after an accurate round out to 6-700m, barrel twist rate is 1:320mm and barrel length is 620mm.

Hi,

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bnz41 wrote:Hi,

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Thank you

46 grains of N140 behind the 174 grain SMK is a good place to start with 47 grains roughly equating the characteristics of factory ammunition, you can push the load up to 48.5 grains or more however the rifle starts to get uncomfortable after a while so wear some padding.

The Vikings preferred 1000 yard load was with Vectan SP9 which worked well in her rifle.

It is worth checking the bore of your rifle by slugging it as the diameters seem to vary slightly.

ovenpaa wrote:46 grains of N140 behind the 174 grain SMK is a good place to start with 47 grains roughly equating the characteristics of factory ammunition, you can push the load up to 48.5 grains or more however the rifle starts to get uncomfortable after a while so wear some padding.

The Vikings preferred 1000 yard load was with Vectan SP9 which worked well in her rifle.

It is worth checking the bore of your rifle by slugging it as the diameters seem to vary slightly.

Thanks, I have checked the bore at .311" so thats sorted.To be fair I realise the Drag won't be a single hole tack driver but would like to pull the group size in over milsurp plus get away from the corrosive Berdan primers used in milsurp.

Everyone I'm sure will tell you different but I use 43.5gr of N140 with a .311 174gr bullet like you suggested, I try to keep things simple and use the same powder and bullet size/weight in my .303 and 7.7 Jap rifles, just different powder loads.

Here we go again F-B UK's pet loads compendium.

You are fishing for loads and everyone tells you what works in their rifle, however that may not be applicable to your gun.

You need to start with tested data giving min and max loads and work up for your rifle.

Lymans 49th manual give the following for N140 with a 174 gns Hornady round nose bullet. Suggested start load 42 gns for 2243fps. Max load 46.5 for 2484fps.

Notes: cases: Norma; trim-to length: 2.105"; primers: Federal 210; primer size: Large Rifle; Lyman shell holder: No. 17; cast bullets used sized to .313" dia.; firearm used: SAKO Mosin-Nagant; barrel length: 26"; twist: 1-9.5"; groove dia.: .313"

It also gives the same suggested start and max data for the Sierra 180 gn SPT with N140.

Dromia is right, make up ten rounds at the bottom charge and work up in .5gn increments making ten of each. Then shoot em. See what it likes.

It's only one of a million variables to tinker with but powder weight is a good start.

dromia wrote:Here we go again F-B UK's pet loads compendium.

You are fishing for loads and everyone tells you what works in there rifle, however that may not be applicable to your gun.

You need to start with pressure tested data giving min and max loads and work up for your rifle.

I realise every rifle is different, I'm not so much fishing for loads as you put it but just trying to get an idea as to what other people have had success with as I didn't see anything wrong in asking the opinion of people more knowledgeable than myself.

Nothing wrong in asking at all, it is just loads without context are not really helpful, tested data gives that context.

It wasn't the question that concerns me but the replies.