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Posted: 5/10/2011 5:18:45 PM EDT
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Hi,
The 49 is obviously banned here as an SLR, however, they share the same cartridge, so I though I'd mention both for this question. I was interested in reloading 7.5x54mm French because its the only affordable option here, so I acquired 100 rounds of Privi factory ammunition yesterday, plus I should have some extras in the near future; that's brass covered! Apparently they fire .308 bullets which is helpful; does anyone have a good load which works well with the range calibrations on the sights? Privi use a 139gn bullet which I have a number of, plus can easily acquire cheaply, but I was told the original bullet was nearer .309? I also assume that my cleaning equipment for .308 Win should be OK to use with it? And finally, are there stripper clips available for these rifles? Thanks very much. |
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I have a 36/51 that I handload for, using 150 and 168g bullets, both in .308 diameter and they work fine. I don't recall the loads off the top of my head and would have to go look them up. However, I know that some have been successful using IMR4895 and the powders I've used have been Hodgdon H4895, Varget and Winchester W748. I'm not sure what powders you have access to on your side of the pond, but if you can let me know, I can try to find some data for you. The load data for this cartridge is somewhat lacking, but there is some out there. I have a Lee manual with some loads in it and I've used that, along with notes from a friend who also loads 7.5mm French.
I'll see what I can dig up tomorrow (it's 11pm here at the moment and I'm on my way to bed!) Cheers, John |
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Thanks, John.
It is listed in my reloading manual, although I have a 36 whilst the manual is geared towards the 49. Most powders we can find here, but they cost about $60 per 1lb tub (bit tired, may be wrong). I have Viht N140, Varget and Benchmark at the moment. |
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Quoted:
Thanks, John. It is listed in my reloading manual, although I have a 36 whilst the manual is geared towards the 49. Most powders we can find here, but they cost about $60 per 1lb tub (bit tired, may be wrong). I have Viht N140, Varget and Benchmark at the moment. This will probably get moved to the reloading forum, you may get more answers there. Varget works well in just about any .30" caliber; so I'd start there. I would think either 125- or 150-gr .308 projectiles would be fine, erring towards the heavier ones if your bore is rough. Your .308 cleaning kit is fine. Edit: I have a box of 7.5x54 on 5-round strippers, so yes, they're out there somewhere! 55_grain |
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Anaxes,
I looked through my notes and found some info for you. The Lee book doesn't have any Vihtavuori data. However, I have some other data sheets that I picked up off the web that may be of some use to you, as they do have some Vihtafuori loads. If you IM me your email address, I'll scan what I have and send it to you (about 8 or 9 pages). From my own personal records, I have the following (all groups are five shots fired at 100 yards and chrono data would be for five rounds, unless otherwise noted. OAL will be 2.992", as per spec length listed in Lee manual): Hornady 168g BTHP Match over 40.0g Benchmark. Graf brass, Winchester primer. Low: 2494fps High: 2523 Avg: 2511 ES: 29.12 SD: 11.04 Group measured about 2.25" with three inside one inch and the other two being higher. (ETA: Found a second target with this same load and a group of 1.5") Hornady 168g BTHP Match over 42.0g Varget. FNM brass, Win. primer. Low: 2495 High: 2534 Avg: 2518 ES: 38.14 SD: 15.32 Four rounds into 0.78" with one unexplained flyer stretching it out to just over two inches. Hornady 168g BTHP Match over 42.0g W748. FNM brass. Win. primer. Low: 2517 High: 2610 Avg: 2554 ES: 93.37 SD: 35.35 Group measured 1.5" with two in one hole. I know I had some data/targets for 150g Hornady FMJ loads with various powders and some H4895 data with the same 150 and 168g bullets, but I can't seem to find them, now. From memory, the H4895 didn't do as well as Varget. My pet/plinking load is currently the Hornady 150g FMJ over 42.0g Varget. This one shoots in the 1.25-1.50" range and I settled on it because I can get the bullets for cheap and it's a light recoil load that's "accurate enough". Drop me a line and I'll get the other data scanned for you. It may take me a day or two, but I'll get it to you. 
John P.S. Stripper clips are available, but usually a bit spendy. I'm not sure what ammunition you have access to, but the best clips/surplus ammo that I've used is the French cupro-nickel jacketed surplus that comes on strippers in a 15 round box. If you can find any of that stuff, grab it! It's getting hard to find over here and is very expensive ( which is why I got into handloading for this caliber!). |
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