range report TIGER

[sfc ret]

took out my TIGER to the indoor range....25 yards, wish the outdoor range run by ohio dept of natural resources is open during the winter, but it isn't :(......but as soon as it is, I'm going to the 100 yard lane....... anyway I used the S&B 7.62x54r, 180 gr to scope it in, figuring if I set the drop compensator at 1 for 100 meters that should put it above my aim point, and it will be zeroed for 100 meters.

I couldn't shoot prone supported, so using my range bag and setting it on the firing tray, and trying my best to get some kind of steady hold factor, while in a stoop position, which isn't the easiest thing...I fired 15 rounds (lost a couple) ...I will say one thing.. getting a good cheek to stock weld with this type of buttstock, was non existent...and it is too short, still I got some very good groupings....luckily the akron gun show is this week, so I'll get me some wolf 148 gr. and see if that will make a difference.

the recoil wasn't that bad at all, the rifle didn't jerk up but more of a straight back recoil, and that is without a muzzle break.

This is going to be one of favorite rifles :)

I didn't know this, but it has a bolt hold open device....which surprised me for a russian rifle..



I am definitely going to get the soviet wood stock set with cheek pad, (the wood stock set looks more classy then the black polymer ones, IMHO) and fire this in the prone supported position...I believe I will be able to get even better groupings. She is well worth spending some more money on her. :)

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/4794target-med.jpg

if any of you guys get a chance to buy one of these rifle, do it...they are great! and well worth the money.

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/4794DRAGUNOV_TIGER-med.jpg

[Pappyo]

sfc ret what indoor range do you use. I shoot at North Coast over in Sheffield. Kinda seems like overkill bringin them 30cals. to an indoor range.

[sfc ret]

yeah I agree with you about the indoor range.....but those are the only ranges open during the winter.....the one is west farmington on Hwy 88 is closed during the winter, so really there is no choice, unless you are a memeber of south cuyahoga sportman association....in which you have to have 2 members sponser you.....or go down to Tusco Rifle Club in MIDVALE, OH and that is a long long drive....although I have heard they do have a 500 yard distant target or something like that...but I think you have to be a member, or go with a member...not sure.

the northcoast one is nice...and for a set price 15 bucks you can stay as long as you want, which is nice...but they won't let you fire ANY ROUNDS if a magnet sticks to it...and they check at the register. and all my rifle ammo is mil surplus, steel jacket, so of course they will stick. even the wolf 180 gr sticks to a magnet...so really that range was out of the question.

I went and fired at PRO GUN in cuyahoga falls...they don't care if a magnet sticks to your round...the price for range time is exspensive 15 bucks for a one hour session.

[alfajim]

I think you will find the 148 grain a little better as the correct ammo for the SVD's was a 151 grain. The best results are from handloads and when I find the link I will send it to you for the load data.

[mack8384]

when I find the link I will send it to you for the load data.

why not post it here too for all of us to see :)

Mack M.

[alfajim]

The 7N1 was the original load developed by Russian armorer Sabelnikov in conjunction with the development of the SVD back in the late 1950's. It has a steel jacketed projectile with an air pocket, steel core, and a lead knocker in the base. The 7N14 is a new load developed for the SVD. It consists of a 151 grain projectile which travels at the same 2723 fps, but it has a lead core projectile and is supposed to be the more accurate of the two. Nikolai Bezborodov, head of R&D at Ihzmash, stated that it was the most accurate load for the SVD.


150 GR. NOS BT (Starting Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.875"
VARGET 47.0 2721 38,000 CUP
BL-C(2) 52.0 2878 40,200 CUP
H335 46.0 2751 38,800 CUP
H4895 46.0 2769 38,000 CUP
150 GR. NOS BT (Maximum Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.875"
VARGET 50.5 2985 46,400 CUP
BL-C(2) 55.5 3027 46,300 CUP
H335 49.5 2918 45,900 CUP
H4895 49.5C 2938 46,300 CUP

165 GR. BAR XBTC (Starting Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.950"
H4350 52.0 2608 36,300 CUP
H414 49.0 2521 33,600 CUP
H380 47.0 2499 35,900 CUP
VARGET 45.0 2581 39,800 CUP
H4895 44.0 2633 40,200 CUP
165 GR. BAR XBTC (Maximum Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.950"
H4350 55.0C 2740 41,500 CUP
H414 52.0 2669 41,400 CUP
H380 50.0 2629 40,800 CUP
VARGET 48.3 2727 46,000 CUP
H4895 47.0 2761 45,800 CUP

180 GR. SFT SCIR (Starting Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.975"
H4831 51.0 2281 31,900 CUP
H4350 51.0 2493 37,600 CUP
H414 49.0 2478 38,600 CUP
H380 47.0 2430 38,200 CUP
VARGET 43.0 2409 38,400 CUP
H4895 42.0 2482 40,900 CUP
180 GR. SFT SCIR (Maximum Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.975"
H4831 55.0C 2484 39,200 CUP
H4350 55.0C 2692 44,700 CUP
H414 52.0 2622 45,600 CUP
H380 50.0 2542 42,000 CUP
VARGET 46.5C 2575 45,900 CUP
H4895 45.4C 2618 45,800 CUP

200 GR. SPR SP (Starting Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.950"
H4831 52.0 2348 41,100 CUP
H4350 48.0 2329 37,400 CUP
H414 48.0 2396 40,500 CUP
H380 46.0 2337 41,200 CUP
VARGET 41.0 2304 41,500 CUP
H4895 39.0 2271 41,400 CUP
200 GR. SPR SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.950"
H4831 55.0C 2468 45,700 CUP
H4350 52.0 2529 46,500 CUP
H414 51.0 2526 45,500 CUP
H380 49.0 2432 46,600 CUP
VARGET 44.0 2412 46,000 CUP
H4895 42.2 2411 46,400 CUP

220 GR. HDY JRN (Starting Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.830"
H4831 50.0 2209 39,100 CUP
H4350 47.0 2227 37,600 CUP
H414 47.0 2296 40,200 CUP
H380 43.0 2145 39,400 CUP
VARGET 40.0 2178 42,300 CUP
H4895 38.0 2143 41,200 CUP
220 GR. HDY JRN (Maximum Loads) DIA. .308" COL: 2.830"
H4831 54.0C 2381 46,000 CUP
H4350 50.5C 2396 45,900 CUP
H414 49.5 2401 44,500 CUP
H380 46.0 2274 45,900 CUP
VARGET 42.5 2269 46,000 CUP
H4895 41.0 2263 46,600 CUP

C = Compressed Charge

This is the posted load data for the 762X54 from Hogden I think the important part is that a .308 diameter bullet is not going to be accurate and .311 to .312 150 grain bullets are the one to be used @ 2700 to 2800 fps. I have not started reloading for the tiger yet just accumulating data. I have had best results with some of the 148 grain supposed sniper ammo but it is not consistent enough. This is one from a member over at the gunboards that I was going to try first using some quality brass most likely the Laupa or Sellier & Bellot brass.

I'm using a Hornady 150 grain interlock bullet (0.312" dia), Winchester WLR primer, Sellier & Bellot cartridge casings, and 48 grains of Varget. OAL is 2.900" - basically seated to the cannelure, and I use a Lee Factory Crimp die as well.
I worked this load up from 47 grains to 50 grains, with 48 grains producing a 1.25" group at 100 yards off a bench rest.
Muzzle velocity is in the 2800 ft/sec range, which is plenty for whitetail deer hunting.