Looking to start loading 7.62x25

TTv2 · Sep 12, 2020

I got the Lee 3 die set, case lube, and plenty of .32 bullets, but I've never loaded a bottleneck cartridge before. Is there any special method when sizing the cases?

Do I have to trim cases each time I load them or is it something to just keep an eye on and trim when necessary?

Also, given that bore diameters are all over with 7.62x25 pistols, I decided to slug the bore of the Zastava I have and it turns out the groove diameter is .312, which is great because it means I can use 85 grain XTP's and those are pretty cheap at 20 cents a bullet.

Jim Bowie · Sep 12, 2020

The first advice I can give you is to spread out a huge tarp to collect your brass as the M57 is well known to kick brass quite a ways!

mdi · Sep 12, 2020

I haven't reloaded any bottle necked pistol ammo, but I figger it would be the same as reloading for a semi-auto rifle (I got an itch for a 357 Sig though). For my Garand and SKS I full length size and measure the case length and if needed trim. I would think case lube is needed for sizing. If someone has reloaded a 7.62x25 or a 357 Sig they can give more/better info...

Mike44 · Sep 12, 2020

I have been loading these with the Hornady 90 gr. XTP (.309 diameter). at 1.30" COL and 13.5 gr. H110. You will have to lube these to resize with the Lee die set. . I do trim each time I load using a lee case length gauge (I don't know if this is necessary). With the 90 gr. XTP I had a bad time getting enough neck tension. I found that I could get proper neck tension by skipping the case mouth expansion die. Hornady tech support said to use 10.3 - 14.2 of H110 at COL 1.32". As usual, start low and work up the load for safety. I am using starline cases. The muzzle blast makes it hard to chrono but the 13.6 gr load clocks at 1432 fps with the chrono at 15' from the muzzle. . I can't speak to accuracy as the trigger on my Yugo Tokarev is really heavy and I don't shoot it well but I can say I get 100% function and the cartridge passes the plunk test in my barrel,. .

TTv2 · Sep 12, 2020

Mike44 said:
I have been loading these with the Hornady 90 gr. XTP (.309 diameter). at 1.30" COL and 13.5 gr. H110. You will have to lube these to resize with the Lee die set. . I do trim each time I load using a lee case length gauge (I don't know if this is necessary). With the 90 gr. XTP I had a bad time getting enough neck tension. I found that I could get proper neck tension by skipping the case mouth expansion die. Hornady tech support said to use 10.3 - 14.2 of H110 at COL 1.32". As usual, start low and work up the load for safety. I am using starline cases. The muzzle blast makes it hard to chrono but the 13.6 gr load clocks at 1432 fps with the chrono at 15' from the muzzle. . I can't speak to accuracy as the trigger on my Yugo Tokarev is really heavy and I don't shoot it well but I can say I get 100% function and the cartridge passes the plunk test in my barrel,. .

May want to slug your bore and see if you've got a large enough groove dia. that you can use .312 bullets.

Looking to start loading 7.62x25

TTv2

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Jim Bowie

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mdi

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Mike44

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TTv2

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