Trying to reload some 54R. I need some help with a LEE die.

[Polish-Jack]

I have a Hornady die set for 7.62x54r and it has an expander die that measures 0.310 inches. I need to seat bullets that measure 0.312 inches and they bulge out the neck of the case. I need a bigger neck expanding button but Hornady does not manufacture one in 0.311 or even 0.312.

I need someone can take apart their Lee .303 British sizing die and take a measurement of the neck expander. I hope it measures 0.311, if it does then I will be getting a set of Lee dies and decapping rod for .303 British as the 54r decapping rod measures 0.308.

 

[maynard]

If your expander opens the case to .310 and you are seating a .311 bullet this is correct to give you a light press fit. If it opened up to .311 or .312 the bullets will be sloppy or fall in. I don't think you have your seating die set up properly if the case is being bulged by seating a bullet.

 

[donor]

I'm loading Lee cast .312-155 Gr and I also have similar bulge on cases.They don't affect feeding from mag or accuracy so I don't think this it something to be very concerned about.

If you had .314 bullet than maybe but not .312.

Remember to anneal cases

 

[Boomer]

I have a Hornady die set for 7.62x54r and it has an expander die that measures 0.310 inches. I need to seat bullets that measure 0.312 inches and they bulge out the neck of the case. I need a bigger neck expanding button but Hornady does not manufacture one in 0.311 or even 0.312.

I need someone can take apart their Lee .303 British sizing die and take a measurement of the neck expander. I hope it measures 0.311, if it does then I will be getting a set of Lee dies and decapping rod for .303 British as the 54r decapping rod measures 0.308.

What is the inside neck diameter of your fired brass, before it goes through the re-sizer? Have you considered a bushing style sizing die to get the precise neck diameter you're after? As for the bulge, I wouldn't be concerned if it doesn't interfere with chambering the cartridge. If you had RCBS or Redding dies, it would be a simple matter to order the appropriate expander ball.

Flaring the case mouth with an M die would allow for easier seating, as would the choice of a boat-tailed bullet. Be sure you have a nice chamfer on the inside of your case mouth, rather than attempting to seat a flat base bullet into the factory's square edge case mouth.

 

[Ryan500]

I had the same thing, Lee sends the 54r dies out with a 308 expander. Order the .311 expander and you'll be good to go.

For now, the buldges should be fine. I shot them like that for months.

 

[Why not?]

Sounds to me like you might have your seating die set a bit too low. Two or three thousndths fit into the neck is not enough to bulge the brass.

Does the die bulge the cases if you only seat the bullet into the case about 1/8 of an inch? If not, then you need to adjust your seating die.

Here's the easiest and quickest way to set the seating die so it does not crimp the bullet:

1) Put a sized case without a bullet into the shell holder and raise the ram all the way to the top of the stroke.

2) Screw the sizing die down into the press until it just contacts the case.

3) Turn the die up one half a turn, and lock the die in that position.

4) Adjust the seating stem while seating bullet to desired overall length.

Guaranteed no more bulged brass!

Ted

 

[hk33ka1]

The expander needs to be .0005" to .002" smaller than the bullet being seated so there is some case neck tension to hold the bullet.

An expander for a .30-06 with .308" bullets will typically measure .307"

The Lee Expanders are about .307" for standard 30 cal or .310" for the 303 sizes.