Is there a 7.62x51 Nato Die Set ??

[pastprime]

Just getting back into reloading for a rifle. Bought a M1A clone and cannot afford to shoot factory ammo except to get the brass.

I don't remember seeing a die set specifically for 7.62 Nato; just .308 Win. Just wanted to ask if there is any problem using the .308 die set for my M1A. I don't think so...just need to ask before I start.

Also, curious about the American Eagle ammo for the M1A. What's different from the regular .308 ammo. Brass a little longer, thicker, FMJ bullet, or what ?? Just curious...

Hank

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've never used any other die set than .308 Winchester for my two M1A's. One is a National Match, and the other is a Standard. Both work just fine with ammunition loaded in the .308 die set.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[pastprime]

I

Thank you. I thought that was still the case; just needed to make certain before I bought a die set.

 

[jonnyc]

Potayto...Potahto...same thing.

 

[USSR]

Is there a 7.62x51 Nato Die Set ??

Nope. The external case dimensions of the .308 and 7.62x51 are identical. The difference is in the chambers. 7.62x51 chambers can be a bit more "generous" to allow for dirty and slightly out-of-spec ammo.

Also, curious about the American Eagle ammo for the M1A. What's different from the regular .308 ammo. Brass a little longer, thicker, FMJ bullet, or what ??

Brass may be thicker, but not any longer (remember, outside dimensions are the same). Basic difference is a powder with a burn rate suitable to M1a's and converted Garands, and the FMJ bullet.

Don

 

[fguffey]

http://dutchman.rebooty.com/1895Chile.html

Scroll to bottom of page for difference in chambers, for reloading, in my opinion there are some serious difference.

.005 longer on the go-gage for the 7.62

.007 longer on the field reject

Then it comes down to the chamber in your rifle, I form 7.62x51 from 30/06,
all that is required is knowing when to stop so to me it does not matterif it is a 308 W or 7.62 Nato, the neck of the formed cases may require turning or reaming on the 308 W, never on the 7.62x51 NATO.

Dies: ISO-ISO Greek for same-o same-o

Isobaric isotonic isobar isometric


F. Guffey

 

[fguffey]

Difference, none for those that claim it can not be done, I measure case head thickness, military brass is said to be heavier and deductive reasoning says that is the reason military cases are thicker, that is a half truth, the 30/06 military case head is .200 thick, the 30/06 commercial R-P case head thickness is .260, deductive reasoning says the military case head is thinner and the case body is thicker, the commercial case head is thicker with a case body that is thinner.

That leaves a difference in the length of the two powder columns, the 7.62 NATO powder column is longer and smaller in diameter than the 308 W powder column, it will be shorter and larger in diameter.

F. Guffey

 

[USSR]

fguffey,

The 7.62x51 has slightly larger chamber allowances, as has already been mentioned. Just because they allow for longer chamber dimensions, doesn't mean a 7.62x51 chamber is automatically larger than a .308 chamber. You can have a 7.62x51 chamber cut to tight dimensions and a .308 chamber on the long side of .308 dimensions that is longer than the 7.62x51's chamber dimensions. The dimensions of both .308 and 7.62x51 brass are the same (there are no 7.62x51 reloading dies), so assuming you have a safe firearm (which the '95 Mauser in 7.62x51/.308 is not), are you saying the ammo is not essentially the same? Case capacity is less in 7.62x51, so it uses less powder to generate the same velocity/pressure. The minuscule difference in the length and diameter of the powder columns is irrelevant; case capacity is the determinate factor when reloading.

Don