7.62 x 54R M91

One of the longest surviving cartridges in the world – introduced to the Russian Army in 1891 [classified M91] and is still in active use in the Russian Army today. The round was initially introduced with a large round nosed projectile [in much the same manner as the .303 British was], but in 1908 the projectile was changed to a lighter weight and a pointed shape [Spitzer].  The only other changes to be made to the cartridge during the subsequent century or more, were changes in the materials used for construction and powders.  In 1959 the cartridge was “standardized’ for Warsaw Pac members and is currently used by the Armies of China, Finland and many developing countries.  The cartridge has excellent ballistics and trajectory as well as inherent accuracy and has been utilised as the sniper calibre for Soviet, Russian and many other armies of the world.  Made famous by Hollywood in “Enemy at The Gates”  - as only Hollywood could depict it.

The Russian Army have now standardized the sniper rounds at 174 gain, increasing the projectile weight from 152 grains. BARNAUL produce the 174 grain round and have now discontinued production of the 185gn FMJ projectile.

The qualities which saw the cartridge being selected as a sniper calibre were not lost to the hunting and sports shooting community and post Great Patriotic War, the calibre has found a very exciting place as a premium hunting round, throughout Europe. The BARNAUL 203gn SP projectile, being equal to any European game – Bear included.

7.62 x 54R  M91