Best reloading dies for 7.62 x 54R?

[BSA1]

I am still having problems with seating cast bullets in 7.62 x 54R MN 91/30. I am a long time reloader and buy my dies based on what brand does the best job in a specific caliber so this means I have a shelf full of RCBS, Hornady and Lee.

I am currently using Lee dies with either a .311 or .312" expander plug (I can't remember which size off of the top of my head). I have annealed and chamfered the case mouths but it still wants to shave lead off of .311" GC. For some reason this cartridge is proving to be a real challenge to load cast bullets in.

The only other variable I can think of is changing brand of dies. Any feedback on what other reloader are using for the 7.62 x 54R?

 

[Steve2md]

I'm using the same Lee dies as you are but haven't gone to cast yet. Are you sizing your lead to .311, or purchasing it sized? If purchased, it may be slightly large?

 

[plmitch]

I use a lyman m31 die. Load a .3165 cast bullets with no shaving. You could use a m30 die.

 

[John C]

As plmitch says, you need a Lyman M die instead of the expander in your Lee dies. It will not only expand your case mouth, but will flare the case mouth so that the cast bullet slips right in.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, when loading lead bullets in rifle cases you will need to flare the mouth slightly to prevent bullet shaving.

I bought a Lee Universal neck expanded so I don't have to buy dies for everything I want to load lead in.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/140461/lee-universal-neck-expanding-die?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[rcmodel]

Or, at least Chamfer the pee-wadding out of them!

A Lyman M-die or Lee universal expander would be a useful addition as well.

rc

 

[BCRider]

Are you using the seating die to seat and crimp all in the same lever pull? If you are then it's likely going to be VERY fussy and any slight miss adjustment to the depth of the crimp could result in the flare being pinched in too early and shaving the last little bit before the lip of the casing mouth is into the cannelure groove.

If this is the case seat without crimping then run the ammo through one more time with the die set to crimp and the seater pulled back.

 

[maxxhavoc]

The RCBS set I got came with 2 expanders. With the larger of the 2 I have no problems seating .312 Xtreme 123gr 7.62x39 bullets. If anything, they go in looser than I am used to.

I have not used lead with them.

 

[4895]

could try driving a Phillips screwdriver into the case mouth a bit. just enough to flare the brass. you might have to give it a few turns under pressure to bell the brass.

 

[BSA1]

I am using LEE two die set which means I am seating and crimping in one step.

Aha!

It sounds like I need Lyman M die. Should I buy the entire die set or just the expander die?

 

[rcmodel]

Just the M-Die.

rc

 

[BSA1]

Thank you.