I have also used the Remington 180 gr bullets.
I can neck size the 7.62x54R cases by not resizing all the way. This is
in part possible because of the case design's steep taper.
Reloaded with neck sized cases, CCI 200, 2.843" OAL, and IMR4895 powder
shooting 3 shot groups:
40 gr 2.7" 41 gr 2" 42 gr 2.25" 43 gr >4" 44 gr 1.2" 45 gr 2.9" 46 gr
1.4" 47 gr >4" 48 gr 2.5" 49 gr 3.3" 50 gr 2.5" w/ sticky bolt
I reloaded again:
43.0 gr > 2" 43.3 gr 2.4" 43.6 gr 3.5" 44.0 gr 2.1" 44.3 gr 1.2" 44.6
gr 2.2" 45.0 gr 1.7" 45.3 gr 1.7" 45.6 gr 4.5" 46.0 gr 2" 46.3 gr 2.6"
46.6 gr 4.6" 47.0 gr 3.2" 47.3 gr 1.3" 47.6 gr 3.8" 48.0 gr 2.2" 48.3 gr
2.7" 48.6 gr 3"
I like Lapua brass much better than S&B. The S&B Boxer brass has two
problems:
1) the base of the primer pocket has too large a radius and needs
reaming.
2) The handloads are not as accurate as the original ammo.
The factory loaded ammo:
7.62x54R S&B soft point 180 gr. ammo 2" 3 shot groups at 100 yards
I have been getting the rifle on the paper with surplus ammo from
Century.