Metal shaving from the 7.62x54r

[MilsurpShooter]

I was down in the workroom last night finishing up my Marlin 336SC (New buttpad/scope mount and scope) when I decided to clean off a few shelves. Found my old box of scrap metal, spent surplus casings, some 8mm links, 22's whatever scrap metal makes it's way into my range bag goes into this box.

As I was sorting through it I came across 3 once fired Winchester 7.62x54r rounds. I had bought a box awhile back for hunting, but it sits there on my shelf neglected because I would probably hurt myself trying a 91/30 with PU scope hunting around here.

Anyhow I'd been wanting to work up a load for this rifle so I decided to deprime and size it for when I finally buy the bullets. I put the die in, adjusted it to the shellholder, lubed up the case and sat it in, then I raised it up. All went fine until half the the brass was in the sizer, noticed increased resistance. I didn't have to use alot of pressure but much more then I'd had to use with my 8mm or 45-70. Extracted the brass and the die actually looked like it shaved some brass off the exterior. There was a very small bump near the rim of the case where the die hadn't sized, ran my finger over it and it felt different, didn't even think to use my caliper and see for sure though.

So I thought perhaps it was from firing, gun might be oversized due to use, age, or something, pulled a bullet from a fresh round and tried that. Again, same shaving of the case at the same portions.

I checked the literature on the dies, 7.62x54r so I didn't order the wrong ones, maybe it's just the Winchester Brass?

Anyone ever have similar problems to this?

 

[Cosmoline]

What's the exact die you're using? Is the decapper neck expander set for a .308" neck or .311" neck?

 

[stubbicatt]

Shaving of brass on the outside of the brass? Did you clean the dies well before putting them to use?

 

[dwave]

My dies for 7.62x54r did the same thing, it shaved off some of the brass near the rim, maybe a 1/4 of an inch up from it. Call the die manu. and talk to them. Myself, I didn't call lee (maker of my dies), and took very fine sandpaper and went around the bottom inside of the die a bit and it cleared up my problem and my reloads work just peachy, but do that at your own risk! I would give the company a call.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Yep, cleaned when I got them like I did for my 45-70 and 8mm. And I checked, looks like I may have made a mistake when ordering. I guess didn't look closely enough. Lee 3 die set, Full length sizer, Seating die and a factory crimp die. Looking at the front of the literature with the dies, it would appear I got the one in .308 bullet diameter. Slugged my Mosin awhile back, .311 Diameter

So I'm guessing that would be my problem? lol

 

[dwave]

If it is shaving at the base that isn't the problem. The .308 works at the neck, not the base. To use .311 bullets it says on the instructions that came with your dies: " These loads were developed using .308 bullets. If you have a rifle with a .311 groove and wish to use .311 or .312 bullets, you can order the EZ X expander for the 303 British part number SE2358 $3.00 plus S&H."

 

[dmftoy1]

Lee had a bad batch of 7.62 x 54R dies . ..I had EXACTLY the same problem and so did a bunch of people on midwayusa (read the reviews). I just mailed mine back explaining the problem and then had it back to me 9 days from the day I mailed it. (fixed)

Regards,
Dvae

 

[FieroCDSP]

Yeah..I was one who asked Lee about it. Apparently a batch of the 54R's made it through without the final polish on the bottom of the sizing surface. I looked at mine closely and saw how sharp it was. Lee fixed it. I wish they'd have paid shipping both ways, though. (it was only a couple of bucks.)

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Perhaps I will call lee when I get home then. Appreciated everyone saved me a couple bucks on going to buy some other brand boxed ammo and give it another go lol.