7.62x54mmR
The Mosin's cartridge and a living antique still on active duty — the ten-dollar-crate days are over, but the rifles remain history you can shoot.
Family
Rifle
Introduced
1891
Origin
Imperial Russia
Military
Russian service rifle and MG cartridge (Mosin-Nagant through SVD and PKM)
History
Adopted with the Mosin-Nagant rifle in 1891, the rimmed 7.62x54mmR has served Russia continuously ever since — in the SVD marksman rifle and PK machine guns today — making it the longest-serving military cartridge in the world. Oceans of surplus Mosins introduced American shooters to it cheaply for decades. It performs in the .30-06 class.
What it's used for
Iconic platforms
Mosin-Nagant 91/30 and M44, SVD and PSL marksman rifles, and Finnish M39s prized by collectors.
Common load types
Surplus and imported FMJ plus soft point hunting loads.
Reference only — not loading data, not ballistics advice, and KitID links to no ammunition sellers. Know your local law before you buy anything that goes bang.