Can I rebuild surplus ammo using old powder and bullet?

[juststarting]

Hi All

I have a bunch of 7.62x54R surplus ammo. Fun, but I hate cleaning the ol'girls after using corrosive ammo, so the question is:

Can I 'rebuild' the old cartridge using new brass, primer and case, while reusing the old bullet and powder. Specifically, can I pull the surplus ammo apart, reseat the old bullet into new brass. Use new primer and just move the old powder from the old metallic case into the new case?

I am inclined to think that it should be fine, but thought I'd ask. Perhaps the new primer ignites things faster or slower or whatever, causing excessive pressure? Perhaps new cases are not made with the same tolerance, as the metallic surplus cases, etc.


Thanks

[juststarting]

p.s.
Something I just thought of, theoretical for now... I am going to make up a dummy round by closing the bolt on an empty (unprimed!) case with a little bit of neck tension, to get the best overall length for my chamber. Assuming this results in longer overall length, which it almost certainly would, would this create any potential problems?

I would imagine that this would create less pressure than the original round, but would this mean it could possibly move into undercharging territory?

[No1Mk3]

G'day juststarting,
You wont have any problems changing cases, even though there will probably be a volume difference it will not be enough to be hazardous in this round. I have done the same with MkVI 303 cartridges, though only because of dodgy looking primers, I have no cleaning issues with mercuric priming, just pour a cup of boiling water through them then clean as usual. As for seating out, I doubt you will have enough neck to reach anywhere near the lands in the very generous chambers of the average Mosin Nagant, but try it anyway, you will never reach "too much space" using original powders. Cheers.

[juststarting]

Thanks, No1Mk3! I had a feeling you'd know

[AusTac]

Done all kinda of weird and wonderful stuff with old .303 ammo haven't blown/ damaged anything so far

As they're mostly old school military berdan primed which i understand is the corrosive part, i just switch the case ( along with crimped primer ) for a prepared case with modern primer and sometimes power if the cordite is being s bitch

[juststarting]

Well if you switch powder that's an entirely different round now...