7.62×54mmR
7.62×54mmR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Type | Rifle | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of origin | Russian Empire | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Service history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
In service | 1891–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Used by |
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Wars |
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Production history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Designer | Colonel N. F. Rogovtsev | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Designed | 1891 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Produced | 1891–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Specifications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Case type | Rimmed, bottleneck | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Bullet diameter | 7.92 mm (0.312 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Land diameter | 7.62 mm (0.300 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Neck diameter | 8.53 mm (0.336 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shoulder diameter | 11.61 mm (0.457 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Base diameter | 12.37 mm (0.487 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rim diameter | 14.48 mm (0.570 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rim thickness | 1.60 mm (0.063 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Case length | 53.72 mm (2.115 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Overall length | 77.16 mm (3.038 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Case capacity | 4.16 cm3 (64.2 gr H2O) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rifling twist | 240 mm (1 in 9.45 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Primer type | Berdan or boxer large rifle | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Maximum pressure | 390.00 MPa (56,565 psi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Test barrel length: 73 cm (28 in) Source(s): [1][2] |
The 7.62×54mmR is a
The
Background
The 7.62×54mmR is the second-oldest cartridge still in regular combat service with several major armed forces in the world.[
The .30-06 Springfield cartridge (7.62×63 mm), with its higher service pressure and case capacity, will outperform the 7.62×54mmR when same-length test barrels are used, though this is very uncommon as .30-06 Springfield firearms are generally sold with much shorter barrels than 7.62×54mmR firearms.[4] Commonly available 7.62×54mmR 150 gr (9.7 g) commercial ammunition chronographs around 3,000 ft/s (914 m/s) from the typical Mosin-Nagant (29") barrel, while the heavier 180 gr (11.7 g) loads chonograph in the low 2,700 ft/s (823 m/s) range. This is identical to .30-06 Springfield performance from a 24" barrel and slightly better than .30-06 Springfield performance from a 22-inch barrel.[citation needed]
The 7.62×54mmR originally had a 13.7 g (210 grain) "jager" round-nosed
Sniper rounds
To increase accuracy for the
As hard body armor saw increasing use in militaries, the 7N1 was replaced in 1999 by the 7N14 special load developed for the SVD. The 7N14 round is loaded with a 9.8 g (151.2 gr) projectile containing a sharp hardened steel penetrator to improve penetration which is fired with an average muzzle velocity of 830 m/s (2,723 ft/s), for a muzzle energy of 3,375 J (2,489 ft⋅lbf).[citation needed]
Cartridge dimensions
The 7.62×54mmR has 4.16 ml (64
7.62×54mmR maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimeters (mm).[5]
Americans would define the shoulder angle at alpha/2 ≈ 18.5 degrees. The common
According to the official C.I.P. (
Performance
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2021) |
The attainable muzzle velocities and muzzle energies of the 7.62×54mmR are comparable with standard 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges. However, a rimmed case such as the one used in the 7.62×54mmR cartridge can complicate smooth feeding within box magazines, but they are by no means unreliable.[6]
When used with modern hunting bullets, the 7.62×54mmR is capable of taking game in the medium- to large-sized class (CXP2 and CXP3). The 7.62×54mmR can offer very good penetrating ability due to a fast twist rate that enables it to fire long, heavy bullets with a high sectional density. In Russia, the 7.62×54mmR is commonly used for hunting purposes, mostly in sporterized Mosin–Nagant rifles and civil Dragunov variants (Tigers).
Basic specifications of 21st century Russian service loads
The 7.62×54mmR rounds in use with the Russian Armed Forces are designed for machine guns and sniper rifles. As of 2003, there were several variants of 7.62×54mmR rounds produced for various purposes. All use clad metal as case material.
- 57-N-323S
- A conventional steel-core bullet designed to engage personnel and weapon systems. The bullet has a steel core and has a ballistic coefficient (G1 BC) of approximately 0.374 and (G7 BC) of approximately 0.187. The tip has no distinguishing colour. It can penetrate a 6 mm (0.2 in) thick St3 steel plate at 520 m (569 yd) and 6Zh85T body armor at 110 m (120 yd).
- 7N13
- An enhanced-penetration bullet designed to kill personnel wearing body armor, featuring a heat-strengthened core. The tip is uncoloured. A sealing lacquer belt on the mouth of the case is red-coloured. It can penetrate a 6 mm (0.2 in) thick St3 steel plate at 660 m (722 yd) and 6Zh85T body armor at 800 m (875 yd).
- 7T2
- A variant of the T-46, a tracer bullet designed for fire adjustment and target designation. The bullet has a green tip, and the tracer burns for 3 seconds.
- 7BZ3
- A variant of the B-32, an armor-piercing/incendiary bullet designed to defeat lightly armored targets. The bullet has a black-red tip.
- 7N1
- A sniper round designed for improved accuracy. The tip of the bullet is uncoloured.
Cartridge designation[7][8] |
57-N-323S | 7N13 (AP) | 7T2 (tracer) | 7BZ3 (API) | 7N1 (sniper load) |
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Cartridge weight | 21.8 g (336 gr) | 21.7 g (335 gr) | 22 g (340 gr) | 22.6 g (349 gr) | 21.9 g (338 gr) |
Bullet weight | 9.6 g (148.2 gr) | 9.4 g (145.1 gr) | 9.65 g (148.9 gr) | 10.39 g (160.3 gr) | 9.8 g (151.2 gr) |
Muzzle velocity | 828 m/s (2,717 ft/s) | 828 m/s (2,717 ft/s) | 798 m/s (2,618 ft/s) | 809 m/s (2,654 ft/s) | 823 m/s (2,700 ft/s) |
Muzzle energy | 3,291 J (2,427 ft⋅lbf) | 3,222 J (2,376 ft⋅lbf) | 3,073 J (2,267 ft⋅lbf) | 3,400 J (2,508 ft⋅lbf) | 3,319 J (2,448 ft⋅lbf) |
Accuracy of fire at 300 m (328 yd) |
90 mm (3.5 in) (R50) | 90 mm (3.5 in) (R50) | 150 mm (5.9 in) (R50) | 150 mm (5.9 in) (R50) | 80 mm (3.1 in) (R100) |
- R50 at 300 m (328 yd) means the closest 50% of the shot group will all be within a circle of the mentioned diameter at 300 m (328 yd).
- R100 at 300 m (328 yd) means every shot of the shot group will be within a circle of the mentioned diameter at 300 m (328 yd).
Availability
7.62×54mmR is widely available both as military surplus and new production, but less so for match-grade rounds. Most surplus ammunition is steel-cased and uses
Cartridge derivatives
USSR/Russia
- 6.5×54mmR: necked-down version, used in both converted Mosin biathlon rifles and Vostok-brand biathlon rifles in the 1960s and 1970.[9]
- 9×53mmR: hunting cartridge.
- 9.6×53mmR Lancaster: hunting cartridge.[10]
Finland
- 7.62×53mmR: military cartridge. Considered identical to 7.62×54mmR by some manufacturers, but not by CIP.
- 8.2×53mmR: hunting cartridge.[11]
- 9.3×53mmR: hunting cartridge.[12]
List of 7.62×54mmR firearms
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2021) |
Rifles
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Machine guns
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Alternative names
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2021) |
While the only official nomenclature for the cartridge is 7.62x54R ("R" standing for "rimmed"), some shooters in the U.S. have confused the "R" as an abbreviation for "Russian" due to the rounds' origin.
- 7.62×54R
- 7.62 Russian
- 7.62 Mosin–Nagant
- 7.62 Dragunov
- 7.62 M91
- .30 Russian[13]
- Rimmed Russian
See also
References
Notes
- ^ "Rifle ammunition — Sellier & Bellot". Sellier & Bellot. Archived from the original on 2015-03-21. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Wolf Gold ammunition in a reloadable brass case". wolfammo.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-01. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-89689-297-2.
- ISBN 0-935998-34-9.
- ^ "C.I.P. TDCC sheet 7.62 × 54 R (indisputable legally binding dimensions and data for civilian use in Russia)" (PDF). cip-bobp.org. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Brown Bear 7.62x54r 203 gr. SP". 7.62x54r.net. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ Russian 7.62x54mm Rounds for Rifles and Machine Guns, Land Forces Weapons Export Catalog, page 87 Archived 2011-12-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "LVE Novosibirsk Cartridge Plant: 7,62mm rifle cartridge with steel core bullet". www.lveplant.ru. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ municion.org: 6.5x54 R Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine(in Spanish)
- ^ thefirearmblog.com - Tag: 9.6x53mm Lancaster
- ^ waffenlager.net - 8.2x53R(in Finnish)
- ^ waffenlager.net - 9.3x53R(in Finnish)
- ISBN 978-1-941998-35-9.
Bibliography
- C.I.P. CD-ROM edition 2003
- C.I.P. decisions, texts and tables (free current C.I.P. CD-ROM version download (ZIP and RAR format))
- Accurate (2000). Accurate Smokeless Powders Loading Guide (Number Two (Revised) ed.). Prescott, AZ: Wolfe Publishing. p. 286. Barcode 94794 00200.
External links
- 7.62x54R rifle cartridges
- Various photos of 7.62×54mmR ammunition[permanent dead link]
- An evaluation list for variants, weights, and velocities of this ammunition type Archived 2006-08-16 at the Wayback Machine
- A dimensional diagram of the cartridge Archived 2006-11-16 at the Wayback Machine
- 110 Years Of The 7.62×54R Archived 2007-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
- C.I.P. TDCC sheet 7.62 × 54 R (indisputable legally binding dimensions and data for civilian use in Russia)