Problem withLee Reloading Kit 7.62X54R

[orangeparkplink]

I have a Lee reloading kit in 7.62X54R which only neck sizes the casing. Even though I seat the casing completely into the die, the neck is not sized small/tight enough to hold the bullet from falling into the case. I have tried different 30 cal ammo and several varietes of cases. Any one know why?

 

[DWARREN123]

Inside sizing ball too large?
Just a guess.

 

[boomvark]

Just wondering, are you using .308 diameter bullets or .311? I don't know if .003" difference would show that drastic an effect though.

Anyhow, it's an interesting question, because I'm thinking about getting one of these kits to play with for my 91/30. The price is certainly right.

 

[silverlance]

i'm having exactly the same problem. cosmoline says that this is because the dies are .311 and the bullets are .308.

imho Lee should have printed clearly what diameter bullets are to be used with this kit, but they didn't.

 

[4fingermick]

I must be missing something here, the 7.62x54R bullets are 311, so the Lee dies are correct then aren't they?

 

[distra]

Welcome to THR! I had the same problem loading 7.62x39 rounds using .308 diameter bullets. 7.62mm is .310-.311" not .308. The dies are correct for .310-.311 diameter bullets. Dispite what the gun shop guys told me, .308 diameter bullets are just too small once the neck has been side with the 7.62 sizing button. Thanks to some other HR members who pointed this out to me. I ended up using a smaller decap button when I load .308 diameter bullets. Depending on the rifle, there is little difference in accuracy between .310 and .308 bullets. My SKS shoots the .310 slightly better 1.2" groups @ 50yrds vs. .308 1.6" groups. This is acceptable for me.

 

[orangeparkplink]

DWARREN123, this kit is a hand loading kit and does not have a sizer ball. It is designed to only neck size. I am using .308 diameter bullets, and that must be the problem. I thought the kit stated .308 unless I imagined it. So then the the bullets are the same as the British .303? Thanks for the advice, and I will read the instructions again to see if it states a .311 Diameter.

 

[silverlance]

hehe not really - sometimes the 303 is .311 but very often what they advertise as 303 is actually 308. for instance, if you look at hornady's vmax 303, they also then tell you that its nominal dia is 308!!

the sad part about all this is that there is no cheap .311. only cheap .308

 

[orangeparkplink]

You learn something new every day. I received my Lee Pace setter set in 7.62X54 today. The instructions clearly says it is for .308, and if your bore diameter is .311, you can order an accessory for $3 plus S&H. I sized a shell, and the .308 Hornaday SP did not fall through the neck, so it did size it to .308. Then I also took some of the casings I had sized from the handloader (which also says .308) and the .308 bullet fell through. I took a .303 bullet (.311) 180 grain Winchester from Midway and it did not fall through the neck of the handloader sized casings. So it seems that the handloader necksizes in for .311. I will slug the bore on my mosins to see which one will take a .308. Thanks for all your help.

 

[cracked butt]

What is the inside diameter of the case necks after sizing?

 

[orangeparkplink]

My micrometer is a dial and is not very reliable, waiting on a digital one. Cracked Butt, I appreciate the help from everyone one, so I took 3 measurements just to make sure. Lee Hand loader measurements : Inside measurement=.294 outside=.314, Lee pacesetter dies Inside=.289 outside= .309

 

[orangeparkplink]

From Lee Precision

The 7.62 x 54R Lee Loader is designed to be used with .310 or .311 inch diameter bullets, so if you are using .308 inch bullets the sizing die may not squeeze the neck down enough for a tight bullet fit. <[email protected]>