Russia's new 7.62x54R Sniper Load
By David M. Fortier
Like the cartridge that it chambers, the SVD (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova-Dragunov
Sniper Rifle) has become rather long in the tooth. Adopted on July 3, 1963,
this elderly Russian sniper rifle design is now over 40 years old. To be blunt,
for a military sniper rifle still in front line service with a major power,
this is ancient. To better put this in perspective consider, when the SVD went
into service with the Soviet Army English snipers carried .303 No. 4 (T) Lee
Enfields while Americans had a motley collection of Springfield M1903A1's,
A4's, M-1C's, and D's. Yet 40 years later, this self-loading sniper rifle,
affectionately known as 'oar' by the soldiers, remains highly popular with
Russian troops. Considering the amount of recent combat this rifle has seen,
it says much for the basic design.
It's also interesting to note just how little this rifle has changed
over the decades. Although it has been upgraded with modern synthetic
furniture, and a folding stock version has been introduced, it
basically looks as it did 40 years ago. The SVD has not stagnated
though, and one very important aspect of this rifle that has
been recently updated is its issue ammunition. While the SVD
still chambers the standard 7.62x54R cartridge, a new dedicated
sniper load (designated 7N14) was placed into production in 1999.
This new load replaces the 7N1 which had been operational with
Russian forces since 1966. So while the rifle looks the same,
it received a new load developed expressly to decrease dispersion
and increase penetration.
For those of you unfamiliar with this Russian cartridge, the 7.62x54R
has the distinction of being the longest serving military cartridge
still in general issue with a major power. Adopted in 1891, when
American units were still saddled with black powder 45-70's,
it has seen our .45-70, .30-40 Krag, .30'03, .30'06, and 7.62x51
come and go as rifle rounds. The first major combat the 7.62x54R
saw was during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05. The original
load utilized in both rifles and machineguns featured a 210 grain
round nose FMJ. While quite deadly, it was found to be somewhat wanting.
The two main complaints being a rainbow like trajectory and poor accuracy
at battlefield ranges. When Russian Ordnance officials began working on
improving the 7.62x54R in the spring of 1906 they quickly adapted
the new German 'Spitzer' design to fit their needs. The culmination
of their work resulted in the "Lyokhkaya pulya obrazets 1908
g" or Model 1908 Light Bullet. This was a 148 grain Spitzer with a lead
core and a tombak jacket. It featured a higher velocity, flatter trajectory
and increased accuracy over the load that it replaced. This was the standard
ball round used during World War I and the Revolution.
Following the Revolution the fledgling USSR consolidated itself and
then developed two new 7.62x54R ball loads which were adopted
in 1930. The first, Type L, was developed for use in rifles and
was a slightly improved version of the 1908 Light Bullet load.
This had a 148 grain FMJ projectile with a brass plated jacket
made from iron with a cannelure. The second load was developed
expressly to increase the range and effectiveness of the M1910
Maxim gun. This load was topped with a 182 grain spitzer boattail
and designated the M1930 Heavy Bullet Type D (Dal'noboinaya or Long Range).
The new bullet was designed by Dobrzansky and Smirnsky and was intended
to allow the Maxim to be used in the indirect fire role out to 4500-5000
meters. To enable the new Type L ball loading to be differentiated from
the Type D Heavy Bullet load they received a color code on their projectile
tip. Silver for the Type L and yellow for the Type D.
With the passing of the Maxim gun, its long range fire roll having
been usurped by mortars, so too the M1930 Heavy Bullet Load faded
away. With the obsolescence of this load the need to color code
ball ammunition disappeared, and was subsequently dropped in
Russian service. The Type L load was eventually replaced with
an improved 148 grain FMJBT load with a steel core. Referred
to as the PS (Steel Core) Light bullet, or simply LPS, it featured
improved penetration. It was Modernized as the Russians say,
in 1988 to the ST-M2 pattern.
While the SVD is capable of firing the standard 148 gr ball round
in a pinch, accuracy will be poor. This is due to the (relatively)
low quality of standard ball ammunition. Similar dismal accuracy
results are also noted when firing a U.S. M-24 sniper rifle with
M-80 ball ammunition. It's a simple fact that precision (whether
Match or sniper) rifles require ammunition of the highest quality
and consistency to reach their potential. The Soviets were well
aware of this and developed a specialized load specifically for
the SVD.
With the adoption of the SVD a design team headed by Victor Sabelnikov
was tasked with designing a new 7.62x54R load. This was to decrease
the dispersion of the new rifle while at the same time increasing its
leathality. The result of their work was the 7.62x54R 7N1 Sniper load.
Externally the 7N1 looks identical to standard steel cased LPS ball
ammunition. There is no color coding on the bullet tip or primer annulus,
and no specialized head stamp to differentiate it. The headstamp simply
consists of 188 (Novosibirsk Low Voltage Equipment Plant) and year
of manufacture. For all intents and purposes it appears to be regular
ball ammunition. Pulling a projectile one notes that the 7N1 is topped
with a 152 grain FMJBT projectile. This is loaded on top of a charge
of extruded powder in a Berdan primed steel case. In standard Russian
practice the primer is corrosive.
Externally comparing a 7N1 projectile to a standard ball projectile
one finds both projectiles feature a copper washed steel jacket, but
there the similarities end. The 7N1 projectile is slightly longer and
features a more pronounced boattail with a noticeable hollow base.
Cutting the projectile in half quickly reveals the 7N1 to be a well
thought out sniper load. Sectioning it reveals an air pocket in the
nose (similar to Sabelnikov's later 5.45x39mm 7N6). Below the airpocket
is a 37.5 grain mild steel cone shaped core of .269 diameter and .520
in length. This sits on top of a 72.6 grain lead 'knocker'. These are
pressed into the jacket leaving a hollow base with a depth of .100.
Overall projectile length is 1.275 and diameter is .311. During flight,
due to the air space in the nose, the projectile's center of gravity
is toward it's rear. However, upon impact the lead knocker pushes the
steel core forward into the airpocket and changes the weight distribution
of the projectile. Thus destabilized, the projectile will yaw instead
of simply punching a .30 caliber hole in someone. While not new, the
British did something similar with their .303 British MK VII ball load
prior to the First World War, this design is effective. This is an
obvious attempt to increase the wounding potential of this FMJ projectile.
To increase accuracy this load was manufactured to much tighter tolerances
than standard ball ammunition. The Russians claimed an increase in
accuracy of 2.5 times over standard ball ammunition when fired from
an SVD Dragunov. My own testing has shown that to be a reasonable claim.
Muzzle velocity from the SVD is 2,723 fps, with the trajectory closely
matching that of standard LPS ball. To identify this load it must be
in its original packaging as Factory 188 also produces ball ammunition.
It comes packed 20 rounds to a paper packet, 22 packets to a metal
tin, two tins per wooden case for a total of 880 rounds. The wooden
shipping crates, hermetically sealed metal 'spam' cans, and individual
paper packets are all distinctly marked "SNIPER" in Cyrillic. This
is the load that was used throughout the war in Afghanistan and in Chechnya.
In the 1990's the Russians launched a Program for the Modernization
of 7.62mm cartridges. One of their goals was to improve the penetration
of the various 7.62x54R loads. At this time the 7BT-1 Armor Piercing
Tracer was developed and placed into production in 1998 replacing the
7T2M Tracer load. At the same time the standard 7N13 7.62x54R ball
cartridge was given enhanced penetration via a pointed hardened steel
core. This was adopted in 1999 as 7N26 and is now the general issue
7.62x54R load. At this same time, 1999, a new FMJBT load for the SVD,
designated 7N14, was placed into production. It was developed from
combat experience gained with the 7N1 and has replaced the earlier
load in Russian service.
Like all Russian 7.62x54R Sniper and Match ammunition it's produced
by Factory 188, also known as Novosibirsk Low Voltage Equipment
Plant (30A Stantsionnaya St., Novosibirsk 630108, Russia. Phone:
(3832) 41-9367, 41-3555). The 7N14 was developed to provide the
Russian sniper an armor piercing bullet with the accuracy of
a Match cartridge. This is to over come the proliferation of
modern body armor. The new load features a steel jacketed .311
diameter 152 grain FMJBT projectile with an AP core. Cases are
copper washed steel with corrosive Berdan priming. Muzzle velocity,
2,723 fps, and trajectory coincides with the older 7N1. Penetration
though is substantially improved over the older load. As an example,
firing at a 10mm thick grade 3 steel plate placed at 250m the
7N14 achieved 100% penetrations while the 7N1 was defeated.
My introduction to this new load came on a small shooting range
in Izhevsk, Russia. I was testing Izhmash's new SV-98 sniper rifle,
and the test ammunition provided was 7N14. As I examined it, Vladimir
Stronskiy gave me an inside look at this new load. Mr. Stronskiy
is an engineer at Izhmash and known for creating superbly accurate
target rifles. One of his designs being the Record-1, which is
well respected in Europe. This rifle, in the form of the 7.62x54R
Record CISM, teamed with 200 gr EXTRA Match ammunition (produced
by Novosirbirsk) was used by the national select of the Armed Forces
of Russia to win the International Military Games in 1995 and the
World Championship in 1996. Stronskiy also based his SV-98 sniper
rifle on his Record-1's action. Very friendly and good natured,
Mr. Stronskiy is the type of man any serious rifleman would love
to talk to. Although I had to speak to him through an interpreter,
it was abundantly evident that this was a man who had spent his life
crafting wood and steel into fantastically accurate rifles. Snuffing
out a non-filtered cigarette he proceeded to show me his rifle.
For test ammunition I was given a number
of 20 round packets of 7N14. These were simple brown paper packets
holding 20 rounds in four 5 round stacks with the ends stapled shut.
Each packet was plainly labeled "SNIPER" in Cyrillic.
Opening a packet revealed plain looking FMJ ammunition. If you found some of
these in the dirt you wouldn't look at them twice. Examining a cartridge I noted
that both the case mouth and primer annulus was coated with a red sealant. Our
test ammunition was manufactured by Factory 188 in 2000. Asking him about it
Stronskiy replied this new load offers a substantial increase in accuracy over
the older sniper load due to higher consistency, especially in powder charges.
However, he said this military load is still not up to the accuracy level of
commercial "EXTRA" Match ammunition used in competition.
Although I did not have the chance to test this load out
of an SVD Dragunov I did fire it out of the bolt action SV-98.
Testing was performed at 100m at an ambient temperature of
68 degrees F. Five shot groups were fired both off the bench
and from the bipod. Firing prone off the bipod with nothing
under the butt, I averaged .625". Firing off the bench Marc Krebs of Krebs Custom Inc. averaged
.5" with the best group coming in at .375". Recoil
from this load was very mild, out of a suppressed bolt-gun.
While I was impressed that the rifle could print 1/2 MOA
groups, I was more impressed that it could do it with the
issue steel case sniper load. This said much for the quality
of the issue ammunition.
Having researched it, examined, and tested it my view
of this load depends upon its application. For use 600
yards and in by a Designated Marksman at the squad or
platoon level this load should perform well. The accompanying
chart shows it has the ability to penetrate light cover,
body armor, and chest pouches filled with steel Kalashnikov
magazines to put down an adversary. Recoil in a SVD will
be the same as for 7N1, fairly light, allowing quick
follow-up shots. As far as accuracy is concerned the
rifle, not the ammunition, will be the limiting factor.
From an SVD in good shape which hasn't had its crown
or bore damaged from improper cleaning with a steel cleaning
rod accuracy should run around 1.5 MOA. I have been told
by an active duty MVD sniper that this load has the same
dispersion at 800m as ball does at 300m out of the SVD.
I would take this with a grain of salt, 800m is a long
ways. Irregardless, this load will allow a marksman armed
with an SVD to support his squad/platoon with aimed fire
beyond the capabilities of their AK-74M's. The value of such
a concept is finally getting another serious look by our own
military. If the dedicated sniper load is not available, a very
real possibility in a combat environment, the trajectory closely
matches LPS ball. This, theoretically, would allow ball ammunition
to be substituted for the sniper load without having to do a math problem
to compensate for the trajectory.
As distances increase I am less impressed by this projectiles capabilities.
For 'Western style' sniping from 500-1,000 yards I feel
the 152 grain weight is a drawback. The most difficult hurdle a sniper faces
before taking each shot is correctly estimating wind deflection.
The further the distance to the target the more accurate this calculations
must be to ensure a hit. With a relatively poor Ballistic Coefficient,
approximately .4 at 2,723 fps, and moderate velocity this projectile
will not buck the wind well. As an example in a 10 mph Full Value crosswind
the 7N14 will be deflected 38.6 inches at 600 yards, 76 inches at
800 yards, and 129 inches at 1,000 yards. In comparison a 175
grain Sierra fired from an M24 will be deflected 32 inches at
600 yards, 61 inches at 800 yards, and 103 inches at 1,000 yards.
In this regard a heavier projectile, along the lines of the old
182 grain M1930 Heavy Bullet Type D projectile, would hold velocity
better and have less wind deflection past 500 meters.
I would not underestimate this combination though. A skilled
sniper who is adept at reading the wind and estimating range
would be a very real threat. While the 7.62x54R is certainly
no 6.5/.284 it should be given proper respect out to 800+ meters.
Keep in mind that the cartridge, though old, has proven accurate
enough to have won Gold at the Olympics. Luckily the low magnification
4x PSO-1 makes locating and hitting targets past 600m very difficult
with this sniper rifle. That being said, a friend who served
in the SPETsNAZ during the war in Afghanistan reported engaging
out to 1,000m. In urban combat the semi-automatic action and
detachable magazine of the SVD, combined with the wide FOV of
its scope and armor piercing capability of this round, would
make it a very real threat.
Now in the 21st Century the 7.62x54R continues to soldier on. Like
a dinosaur misplaced in time with its fat rim and long tapered case,
it appears out of place with contemporary military cartridges. Yet
while Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union have both faded into oblivion
the cartridge that served them is alive and well. It will carry on
in sniper rifles and GPMG's well into the foreseeable future.
7N14 Specifications
Caliber 7.62x54R
Projectile type FMJ-BT Sniper/Armor Piercing
Weight 152 grains
Color Code None
Cartridge Case Copper washed annealed steel
Primer Berdan, corrosive
Headstamp 188 plus last two digits of year of manufacture
Weather proofing Red sealant at case mouth and primer annulus
Nominal Velocity from 24" barrel
2,723 fps
Manufacturer Novosibirsk Low Voltage Equipment Plant, Russia
Status Front line service with Federal Russian Armed Forces
Comments: Dedicated sniper load
designed for use in the SVD Dragunov sniper rifle offering enhanced
accuracy and AP capability. Placed into production in 1999, it replaced
the earlier 7N1 sniper load in service since 1966.
