I'm trying to produce some rounds, for a 7.62x54R, as close to original military loading as possible. The sights on this particular gun are set for this loading and I would rather not change them. The criteria is a 200gr. bullet at 2250fps. No luck in finding a 200gr., .311, jacketed bullet, but Leadhead sells a .311, 200gr. GC, cast bullet. What are some thoughts on driving the Leadhead bullet at 2250fps?? If the velocity is feasible, would it be better to approach it with a fast to medium burning powder or use slower powders that will take up most of the cartridge air space?? TIA for all responses.

Well, for one thing, you'd best slug your bore before investing in a lot of bullets. I've heard that those 7.62x54R have some variance in bore diameters. If in fact you have a .311" groove diameter, you'll need a bullet of .312" to .313", preferably the latter.
As to which powder to use, your rifle will determine which is best in the long run. The slow powders would probably be OK and do what you want, but keep an open mind. Shooting cast bullets can sometimes be an excercise in frustration, so do not expect perfection on the fist try. That only comes to those who are truly blessed, and I sure ain't one of those.
Paul B.

The nice thing about those military sights on military rifles is that they can get adjusted WAY up--sometimes to 2000 yards/meters/"arshins".

What is an "arshin"? Russian for the length of a soldier's step, which is how many Russian/Soviet rifles are calibrated. An arshin is about 37.5 inches or so, roughly halfway between the yard and meter.

If your rifle is calibrated for the 200 grain bullet, chances are it has a fairly fast rifling twist around 1-10". Cast bullets do not get along well with faster twists at higher velocity.

What I do is run my cast bullets in military rifles (Mosin-Nagant, Lee-Enfield, G98/40) at around 1600 FPS. Doing so puts the bullets pretty much "spot on" as follows--for 50 yards, select 400 yard setting......for 100 yards, a 500 yard setting usually gets it done. Once you go farther than 100 yards, things get a little more poetic.

I cannot over-emphasize the importance of bullet fit to the rifle's bore. It should match the throat diameter and also be at leaast at or 011" to .002" larger than groove diameter. My Mosin Nagant has a .313" throat and .3115" grooves, so it gets .313" bullets. A fairly hard bullet and a soft lube (NOT the waxy crapola used by most commercial casters) is essential in the faster twists you might have in your rifle.

Deputy Al

BEJ the two posters here have given you excellent advice. I'd suggest your sight markings might not match with a lead bullet even using the same speeds. Even various powders of different speeds can radically change impact points in some calibers, how this one will print is the question. And the other factor is the range at which you'll target whereas a couple hundred feet per second with a cast bullet won't matter much in vertical.

Regards,
Ten Bears

Deputy Al.....Where'd you come up with something like that? Arshin.....must be one of them CA terms. You got too much time on your hands to do crosswords. Should be casting./beagle

Beagle--

I read it someplace a while back, can't remember where though.

Correction--above text should read "at or .001"-.002" over groove diameter".

I would MUCH RATHER be casting bullets--even in our current 105 degree temps--than sitting in my cubicle typing out homicide reports, but ya gotta put the time in to collect the retirement. 1 year, 10 months, 9 days to go. But who's counting? A short visit here a couple times a day keeps sanity in order and reality in sight.

Deputy Al

I've got a couple .30 bore rifles I'm getting this velocity range, and good accuracy. You'll just have to see what it like to eat. Go for a powder that will fill the case well.

I shooting 500 grain bullets at 2200 in the .458 these are rcbs gas checked bullets at @18bhn with wc844 and felix lube and it doesnt seem to be leading the barrel. The barrel was fire lapped though.