762x54R

The 7.62x54R is a rimmed rifle cartridge that has been in continuous production since its adoption by the Russian Empire in 1891. It is one of the longest-serving military rifle cartridges still in use today. The "R" in its designation stands for "rimmed," indicating the presence of a prominent rim on the cartridge case. This feature facilitates extraction from a firearm's chamber.

This cartridge was famously chambered in the Mosin-Nagant rifle, a bolt-action rifle that saw widespread use throughout the 20th century. It has also been used in other Russian and Soviet firearms, including the Dragunov sniper rifle, the PK machine gun, and various other light machine guns and sniper rifles.

The 7.62x54R typically fires a projectile weighing between 150 and 200 grains. Its ballistics are comparable to other full-power rifle cartridges, offering good range and penetration. Over its long history, numerous variations of the cartridge have been developed, including full metal jacket (FMJ), armor-piercing (AP), tracer, and incendiary rounds. While its military use has declined in some nations with the adoption of newer intermediate cartridges, it remains a popular choice for hunting and sport shooting, particularly in Eastern Europe and Russia. Surplus ammunition is readily available, contributing to its continued relevance.