7.62x54r correct "M" die

[T-Bones]

Hi all. I need to load some .314" bullets for 7.62x54r. I will be using the lee die set with .310 or .311 expander. What size Lyman m die would I need? The 31R first step sizes to .310 2nd step sizes to .314. Same size as the bullet.
And the 30R sizes to .307 first and .311 2nd. The 32P for pistol is for .314" bullets would that work? Or how about the lee universal expanding die? Any ideas?

 

[winchester1886]

7.62x54

I use a Lyman M die for the 303 Enfield and it works great !

 

[T-Bones]

Winchester1886 what size bullets do you use?

 

[plmitch]

I use a Lyman M die for the 303 Enfield and it works great !

I also use this with .315-.317 cast bullets.

 

[T-Bones]

thanks winchester1886 and plmitch. Anybody else want to chime in?

 

[winchester1886]

7.62x54

I use Sierra .311 150 gr. Spire Point with IMR 4895. I'm going to start on a load using Sierra .311 180gr. SP using IMR 4350.

 

[jtcarm]

I haven't tried it yet, but I bought the Lee Collet neck sizer in .308 for my 7.62x54r. According to the guys at the Castboolits forum, you just drop a washer over the shellholder to limit the depth.

 

[T-Bones]

Thanks to all who gave advice and tips. It may be awhile before I can get an "M" die. But I appreciate the help.

 

[GP100man]

This is what I do .

Cast my boolits with alloy achieving 14bhn min.
I size & use the expander that came with the dies , .309" is what mine measures.

I then use the lee universal flaring die ,flare just enuff not to shave 314299
boolits, then use just enuff roll to ensure the flare is gone .

Pulled boolits after seating/veryslight crimp is still .314"

Softer alloys will have to have a larger expander.

With the Lee dies , the instructions say if a larger expander is needed order the expander for 303 dies , as stated earlier.

 

[390ish]

Use the 30 M die. They take a bit of fooling before you figure out how great they are. If you use the 31, goodbye neck tension

 

[Swampman]

I've got an M44 with a bore that mikes .315. I use the Lee universal expander for seating .316 cast bullets.
It's an inexpensive tool and very versatile, the most important thing to keep in mind is not to overexpand when using it.
I prefer to use the pistol expander rather than the more gently tapered one designed for rifle use. The reason I prefer the blunter expander is that you can get the case mouth large enough to accept your bullet without destroying all of your neck tension by expanding too far down the neck, which can be a problem when using the rifle expander.

 

[daboone]

M-dies are at their best with cast bullets. Cast bullets to function properly need to be some .0005 to .002 larger than the slugged diameter. The M-die does 2 things, it opens up the neck for the correctly over sized cast bullet and it also bells the mouth to allow the bullet to not be scraped upon being seated.

Most NM for instance have bores of .308 to .314+. Thus there might or might not be a correct M-die for that particular rifle so a custom expander for the M-die body might be required.

 

[T-Bones]

I have been using the Lee universal neck expander with .313" cast pistol bullets.
It has worked well. I think I will try that with rifle bullets also, when I can get some. Will definitely try the pistol expander as Swampman suggested. Thanks all.