Tonight in my gun shop I did an unusual test. I ripped apart three different types of 7.62x54r ammo to see what was inside, and was I supprised. The test is as follows: Tin can 148 grain Russian military ammo had a powder charge of 46 grains. The Sellier&Bellot 180 grain ammo had a powder charge of 40.2 grains of powder. The Wolf 200 grain ammo had a powder charge of 44.0 grains. Now the interesting thing. ALL the powder was the same, extruded type about 1/8" in length. THE RUSSIANS HAVE ONLY ONE TYPE OF RIFLE POWDER. To get pressures where they want them, they change the crimp on the cartridge. The military came apart after 2 blows with the ball puller, the S&B took 5 hammer blows to come apart and the Wolf took 8 hammer blows to come apart. I also found that each and every cartridge projectile had an inner core of lead that went to the base of the projectile (like sniper ammo). Now I know why my 148 gr. tin can ammo shoots so well in my Romak III. In fact the 148 military ammo had the lead base indented into the projectile more than the other two. If anyone has info to add, please e mail me. Dale