7.62x51 dies?

[Vicious-Peanut]

Hello everyone, I am planning on picking up a FAL and wasn't sure where you guys get your 7.62x51 dies (or what you use)? I haven't been able to find any. Also can you use .308 brass that has been run through a 7.62x51 die if you stick to 7.62x51 load data? Sorry if I'm way off here, but I'm confused by this.

Thanks

 

[ReloaderFred]

I use .308 Winchester dies for all my rifles in .308/7.62 x 51 caliber. That includes both my M1A's. You'll be fine with .308 dies for loading this round.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Ok, so from what I'm seeing I can use .308 dies and brass but just load to 7.62x51 specifications? I don't have to worry about the .308 cases being a little shorter?

 

[Sunray]

"...don't have to worry about the .308 cases being a little shorter?..." Nope. Full length resizing every time is required for any semi-auto though.

 

[evan price]

I load my FAL cases using whatever military 7.62 or commercial .308 brass I can find.
Lee 2-die rifle dies, full length sizer.

No problems.

The differences between 7.62 and .308 are so slight as to not really matter, especially in a military weapon with a well formed chamber.

 

[USSR]

V-P,

The reason why the die manufacturer's don't offer a 7.62x51 die is, the external dimensions of 7.62x51 and .308 are the same - the difference is in the chamber. Adjust your .308 FL sizing die to size according to your chamber, and you are GTG.

Don

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Do any of you guys have any pet loads at 7.62 pressures? Most of Hodgon's is in CUP and apparently you cant convert PSI to CUP?

Thanks in advance

 

[Dave R]

Speer No. 13 amnual lists .308 loads that are "starred" as being appropriate for gas-powered semi-autos. Essentially duplicating the pressures of NATO loads. Those should work for you.

 

[KI.W.]

earlier Lapua commercial cases was 7,62x51 and now they are .308 Win.

 

[USSR]

V-P,

It's the powder you use that is important. I use IMR4895 exclusively in my FAL, but other suitable powders are H4895, IMR4064, Varget, and RL15, etc.

Don

 

[cpttango30]

7.62x51mm and 308 win are exactly the same.

The only differance is pressures. The 308 win is loaded to a higher pressure. that is it. Just like the 5.56 and the 223 are the exactly the same cartridge just different chamber pressures.

 

[Toten Kopf]

I use Hornady .308 dies, for all my auto loading .308/7.62x51 ammunition. The nice thing about the seating die is that it has a floating bullet guide that aligns the bullet prior to seating.

For my bolt action .308/7.62x51 ammunition, I use Redding dies. Mostly neck size then about every 10 loads I use the Redding FL sizing die. I still use the Hornady seating die for these too.

One of my most accurate loads is 41.5 - 42.5grs. of IMR 4895 (depending on the rifle) with a 155gr. Sierra Palma bullet.

 

[stubbicatt]

I like the 308 RCBS X dies.