The 7.62X54mm Russian (7.62X54R Moisin-Nagant) was introduced in 1891 in the Moisin-Nagant bolt-action and remained the Russian and Soviet standard issue until replaced by the AK-47. the 7.62X54 remains in use in sniper rifles and machine guns, so is probably the oldest military cartridge in the world that is still in service. An archaic rimmed cartridge using an unusual .312-inch bullet, the 7.62X54mm was a contemporary of the 303 British and 30-40 Krag...but is actually a very effective round. One military load used a 147-grain bullet at a very fast 2885 fps, exceeding 7.62X51mm performance and approaching the 30-06. Often seen in the West in surplus Moisin-Nagant rifles, it remains the most common sporting cartridge in Russia and the former Soviet Union.
