Cartridge is from Ammo Manufacture: Russian 7.62X54R 148 gr Steel Core Silvertip (light ball) Bi-Metal
Ballistics Information: 7.62X54
Muzzle Velocity: 2,785  fps
Muzzle Energy: 2,548  ft. lbs
Brass Make/Headstamp: NONE – Coated (copper wash) Steel  188  74
Bullet Make/Weight/Construction/Info; Length 1.2645"/Dia. 0.3100": 148gr. Silvertip Boat Tail
Actual weight 147.6 grains (slight concaved base) Cannelure line 0.3025"
C.O.A.L.: 3.0185"  Case neck outside 0.3100" (red bullet sealer)
Primer: Brass color (Berdan) (Corrosive) (red sealer)
Case: Diameter 0.4840" Crimp Diameter 0.3325" Length 0.7495"
Powder Description/Positive ID/Type/Charge Weight:  ? ?  47.8 grains *
(extruded rod dia. 0.0320" length 0.0940" – 0.1165")
(H 4895 seems to be the closest in performance)

Corrosive Ammunition One fact holds true for all production regardless of year or country, and that is all surplus 7.62x54r ammunition is corrosive.

Any findings on why it wouldn't go boom?

Powder was good and no signs of heating from the primer, so the primer was dead or did not have any priming mixture.  Being a Berdan type it would be difficult to pull it.  There are two ways to pull the Berdan type, one is hydraulic method the other is a special tool that picks the primer from edge like a can opener.

Speaking from experience the hydraulic method only works on steel cases.  I tried it on some brass cased berdan primed cases and it just blew the neck up.