The 7.62x54mmR cartridge is one of the oldest service cartridges still in military use in the world. Originally adopted by the Russian army in 1891 with the adoption of the bolt-action magazine fed Mosin-Nagant rifle, it still remains in widespread use after more than 125 years of continuous service.
Over time, it has been chambered in a number of bolt-action and semi-automatic military rifles (such as the SVD-98), as well as several machine guns (such as the PKM), and some civilian-type rifles (mostly for hunting purposes).
Many types of military- and civilian-grade loadings are still produced in this chambering worldwide.
| Designation | Bullet weight, g | Muzzle velocity, m/s | Muzzle energy, J | Comments |
| M1891 | 13.7 | 610 | 2550 | with round-nose FMJ bullet |
| L | 9.7 | 860 | 3587 | with pointed FMJ bullet (M1930 light ball) |
| D | 11.9 | 795 | 3760 | with pointed boat-tailed FMJ bullet (heavy ball) |
| B30 | 11 | 815 | 3650 | with armor piercing bullet |
| 7N1 | 9.56 | 820 | 3214 | with pointed boat-tailed FMJ bullet, for sniper rifles |
Encyclopedia of firearms and ammunition of the XX and XXI centuries
All texts are written by Maxim Popenker © 1999-2024
