alemonkey
Member
I have a Lee factory crimp die for 7.62x54R. Shouldn't the same die work for .303 British? The bullet diameter is the same, and the factory crimp die doesn't care about case length.
factory crimp die for .303/7.62x54R
- Thread starter alemonkey
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I think it should work.
But why are you crimping those two calibers anyway?
rc
But why are you crimping those two calibers anyway?
rc
alemonkey
Member
Well, I'm not actually crimping either one. I bought a set of 7.62x54R dies that came with a crimp die. I have .303 dies too, just haven't bought any .311 bullets yet, so both sets are sitting unused in my basement until I get around to placing an order with Midway or Graf's.
Would crimping be detrimental? Or is it just not necessary?
Something else I've heard is that the 7.62 sizing die works well for neck sizing .303. I'd like to neck size for my Enfield since it has a fairly long chamber and the brass stretches a lot. Any experience with that?
Would crimping be detrimental? Or is it just not necessary?
Something else I've heard is that the 7.62 sizing die works well for neck sizing .303. I'd like to neck size for my Enfield since it has a fairly long chamber and the brass stretches a lot. Any experience with that?
R.W.Dale
Member
it will work but you'll have to find a spacer to go in between the shellholder and die the exact thickness as the diffrence in case length between 303 and x54r
otherwixe you be crimping partway down 303's neck
otherwixe you be crimping partway down 303's neck
NCsmitty
Member
When I pull 54R bullets, I use the LFC to reset the crimp in the bullet's groove.
I've got no experience with 303's, but it should work for partial neck sizing as the point at the shoulder specs at .340 on the 303 and is .335 on the 54R.
Try it and see.
NCsmitty
I've got no experience with 303's, but it should work for partial neck sizing as the point at the shoulder specs at .340 on the 303 and is .335 on the 54R.
Try it and see.
NCsmitty
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well, crimping should not be necessary on a bolt-action mid-caliber rifle.
It is best used on tubular magazine lever-actions, semi-autos, and very hard kicking dangerous game calibers.
It will possibly shorten the life of your brass because the crimp works the brass more.
As for neck sizing .303 in 7.62x54R die, I don't know.
Chamber specs show the 7.62x54 case neck O.D. to be .336".
The .303 British is shown as .338".
Also, some die sets for either caliber come with expander buttons for both .308" & .311" bullets.
I guess some experimenting & measuring would be in order.
rc
It is best used on tubular magazine lever-actions, semi-autos, and very hard kicking dangerous game calibers.
It will possibly shorten the life of your brass because the crimp works the brass more.
As for neck sizing .303 in 7.62x54R die, I don't know.
Chamber specs show the 7.62x54 case neck O.D. to be .336".
The .303 British is shown as .338".
Also, some die sets for either caliber come with expander buttons for both .308" & .311" bullets.
I guess some experimenting & measuring would be in order.
rc
Hoxviii
Member
I have two reasons why I regularly crimp x54R loads.
First is for rounds with a long COAL; I always crimp them to make sure there's no way they could bind in the magazine.
Second is for light loads, the accuracy of the crimped rounds was quite a bit better than the uncrimhped rounds.
First is for rounds with a long COAL; I always crimp them to make sure there's no way they could bind in the magazine.
Second is for light loads, the accuracy of the crimped rounds was quite a bit better than the uncrimhped rounds.
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