In the late 1930s the Finnish Army started loading military cartridges with domestically produced 7.87 mm (.310 in) diameter D166 bullets as the production of new M39 "Ukko-Pekka" rifles barreled for 7.62×54R diameter bullets started.

[citation needed] PKM machine guns and other Russian weapons in use by the Finnish Defence Forces use the 7.62×54mmR exclusively.

(Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) guidelines the 7.62 × 53 R case can handle up to 390 MPa (56,564 psi) piezo pressure.

Only governmental organizations, like military and police forces and other firearms bearing public power agencies, from the C.I.P.

7.62 × 53 R and 7.62 × 54 R TDCC sheets: The Finnish commercial ammunition manufacturer Lapua does not make a difference between the 53R and 54R, but produces cartridges that will function in weapons chambered for either one.

From their web site: "Some hunters have been confused because there have been varying marking on the package, case bottom and stamps: 7.62×53: 7.62×53R: 7.62×54: 7.62×54R.

After Russia became a member of the European Permanent Coordinated Commission, the final name - "7.62×54R" - of the cartridge was accepted.

After Russia’s joining European Commission (ПМК) a definite name of this cartridge was determined – 7,62×54R.