new to handloading

Dies marked for 54r will work for 54r. There is only 3/1000" difference between .308 and.311 so if your bullets won't fit in the seating die you can hone it out in a jiffy. But I'd bet you won't have to.
What dies do you have?

Welcome to the world's greatest hobby !

"308" is simply the general nomenclature of the Russian 7.62 cartridge. Everyone in this hobby understands that the Ruskie barrels actually measure at 0.311/0.312". BTW, you'll want to purchase bullets that more closely match the bore and not use standard 0.308 bullets.

If you had Lee dies, you could buy the sizer button for the 303 Brit, and use that in the sizer die.

Perhaps Hornady has a similar part that can be substituted.

I would go ahead and load using the dies that you have and the .311 bullets. If they load well and chamber properly you will probably be at a good starting point. I would load just a few at first, maybe 5 or so just to see how they work.
Lafitte

You could call RCBS and ask for a .311 expander for your die set. My 7.62x39 set came with both a .311 and .308.

WB

Exactly as stated above, I have the Lee 7.62x54R die set that came with a .308 expander, so I ordered the .311 expander from Lee and that is what I use. works great. If you can get both in a set, get them. The Lee only came with the .308

Leftytsgc

All the presently made die sets from the various manufacturers will fit your press. When I purchased my Lee dies for X54R and X39 Russian some years ago the both came with two different expanders. .308 and .311 included in each set. Guess all the manufacturers need to save some more money these days.

MISportsman said:

Do the rcbs dies fit the hornady press?

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They should if the press is a standard 7/8 x 14.

WB

Trivia: The 7/8-14 threaded die and the T-slot interchangeable shell holder were introduced by Pacific (bought out years ago by Hornady.). Nearly everybody uses them now. A co-worker bought a second hand RCBS press and was puzzled that it would not accept shell holders. He had gotten one old enough that the top of the ram was machined for one rim diameter and would have to be replaced to change calibers.
RCBS introduced the compound leverage handle to ram linkage.
Lee introduced the case mouth actuated powder measure. Dillon was paying them royalties on that.

Jim Watson said:

Lee introduced the case mouth actuated powder measure. Dillon was paying them royalties on that.

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I heard somewhere, years ago, the the Ram Prime was also a Richard Lee invention. He was receiving royalties on it too, before the patent expired.

I've searched for proof of that, but haven't found it. It may just be specious.