Lindcott Armory Rifle · Soviet / Russian GRAU
7.62x54R
Oldest military cartridge still in frontline service.
- Caliber
- 0.3118″ · 7.92 mm
- Introduced
- 1891
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military, Hunting, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1891
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Russia
- Inventor
- Russian Imperial Army
- Manufacturer
- Tula Arsenal
- Standard
- Soviet / Russian GRAU
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Case capacity
- 65 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:9.5
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 56,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 900 yd
- Max range
- 4200 yd
- Recoil
- 18–25 ft·lb
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady Steel Match SST 174 gr, 2,600 fps, BC 0.294 G7 · 100 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 2599 | 2610 | -1.5″ | — |
| 100 yd | 2451 | 2321 | 0.0″ | 0.0 |
| 200 yd | 2307 | 2055 | -4.3″ | -2.1 |
| 300 yd | 2168 | 1815 | -15.1″ | -4.8 |
| 400 yd | 2033 | 1596 | -33.4″ | -8.0 |
| 500 yd | 1902 | 1397 | -60.1″ | -11.5 |
| 600 yd | 1775 | 1217 | -96.3″ | -15.3 |
| 700 yd | 1652 | 1054 | -143.7″ | -19.6 |
| 800 yd | 1532 | 907 | -203.8″ | -24.3 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open 7.62x54R ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.92 | 0.312 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.53 | 0.336 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.61 | 0.457 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 18.5° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 12.37 | 0.487 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 14.48 | 0.570 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.60 | 0.063 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 9.42 | 0.371 | ≈ |
| Case length | 53.72 | 2.115 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 77.16 | 3.038 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 7.62x54R is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 92 active loads across 39 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 92 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underwood Ammo | ELD-M | 174 | ELD-M | 2,625 | 2,662 | 0.279 G7 |
| Hornady | Steel Match SST | 174 | SST | 2,600 | 2,611 | 0.294 G7 |
| Lapua | Scenar | 185 | HPBT | 2,559 | 2,690 | 0.527 G1 |
| Barnaul | Military | 148 | FMJ | 2,887 | 2,739 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | Training | 148 | FMJ | 2,887 | 2,739 | — |
| Silver Bear | Standard | 148 | FMJ | 2,887 | 2,739 | — |
| Red Army Standard | Standard | 147 | FMJ | 2,887 | 2,720 | — |
| Hornady | American Whitetail Interlock SP | 150 | Interlock SP | 2,854 | 2,712 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP Hunting | 150 | SP | 2,854 | 2,712 | — |
| PPU | SP Hunting | 150 | SP | 2,854 | 2,712 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 150 | SP | 2,838 | 2,682 | — |
| Herter's | Select Grade FMJ | 148 | FMJ | 2,838 | 2,646 | — |
| MKEK | FMJ | 148 | FMJ | 2,838 | 2,646 | — |
| Poongsan | FMJ | 148 | FMJ | 2,838 | 2,646 | — |
| Wolf | Military Classic FMJ | 148 | FMJ | 2,800 | 2,576 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
2 reloading powders listed for 7.62x54R, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 7.62x54R
12 models in the database chamber 7.62x54R. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Adopted by Imperial Russia in 1891 for the Mosin-Nagant rifle. Survived the Russian Revolution, both World Wars, and Cold War. Still standard Russian sniper and machine gun cartridge. One of the most produced cartridges in history - billions of rounds manufactured. The 'R' designation means 'rimmed'.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7.62x54R use?
- 7.62x54R typically uses a 1:9.5 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7.62x54R?
- 7.62x54R uses a 0.3118″ (7.92 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7.62x54R still in production?
- 7.62x54R is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is 7.62x54R used for?
- 7.62x54R is primarily used for military, hunting, target.
- What are the best powders for 7.62x54R?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 7.62x54R include IMR 3031, IMR 4064.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 92 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →