7.62x54r die options

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NaviDave

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After a fair bit of research - RCBS, Lyman and Lee appear to be my only options. Hornady and Redding don't make them.

I need a .310 expander (they all come with .308 expanders?!?). I also wouldn't mind a .311 expander as I have some Hornady .312 bullets.

I see that Lee will make custom expanders for a modest fee. I assume I could squeeze a .312 bullet (not lead cast) in to a .310 opening. I would have to order a custom .310 expander from RCBS or Lyman (I doubt they could supply a .311).

My question is - how do the Lee expanders work? I am leaning towards RCBS as I have to order a replacement .223 expander from them anyways...

Any insights would be appreciated.
 
Lyman makes an "M" flaring die to open case mouths for cast loading.I run RCBS and have had no trouble loading .312 jacketed bullets as is ? The shellholder is a unique oddball RCBS # 13. If you want to load .308 jacketed just remove the expander button after de-priming cases/run them through once more and they will be tight enough to hold the smaller diameter bullets...........Harold
 
I have a Lee two die set in 7.62x54r and the expander is .310 and never had a problem with my milsurp noisy magots. (Mosins)

NOTICE, I jumped up and took my Lee 7.62x54r FL die apart to measure the expander diameter............can your wife spin straw into gold????? :evil:

P.S. And their is nothing wrong with .003 neck tension/bullet grip. Many AR15 reloaders use the Lyman type "M" expander for their rifles to reduce neck runout and strait in-line seating.

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And do not order a RCBS expander, you can order the entire Forster high mounted floating expanders for your RCBS dies.

Below my RCBS .223 die with a Forster expander assembly on the right. I equipped all my RCBS dies with Forster expander assemblies to greatly reduce neck runout.

One of the main causes of neck runout is caused by locking down the expander off center. The Forster expander floats and the expander enters the case neck when it is held and center in the neck of the die.
(do they sell bales of straw where you live?????)

5kfnKwd.jpg
 
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I don't see those Forster expander assemblies on their site. Would these fit Redding dies as well?

How much are they (roughly) and can they make a .310 or .311?
 
NaviDave said:
I don't see those Forster expander assemblies on their site. Would these fit Redding dies as well?

How much are they (roughly) and can they make a .310 or .311?
Click to expand...

Forster Replacement Decapping Assembly
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010985619/forster-replacement-decapping-assembly

Below the Forster expander and shortened spindle assembly installed on a Redding .243 die. A rubber o-ring was added under the lock ring to allow the expander to float.

kWbieba.jpg


Question, are you loading for a milsurp mosin? Meaning why not use the cheaper Lee dies with a .310 expander????
 
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I mostly have Redding dies - some Hornady and a couple RCBS sets (given to me for free/low cost).

Redding is sorta the devil I know. For example, I has to remove .008" off the bottom of a Redding .223 die to get the shoulders bumped back enough to be in spec).

I have a few Lee FCD's and one collet neck sizing die. Plus their expander design does not look great. The Forster option looks pretty good. Gunstop Reloading in MN has good availability.
 
Inspired I just checked my dies...
My Lyman x54R expander is clearly stamped .308. I've only used .311+ bullets though.

My Hornady x39 dies came with 2 expanders. My caliper's battery is dead means I can't measure them right now, and these tired 'ol eyes don't see any marking on them... I have always assumed there were 2 for different size bullets (.308 and .311) with the larger installed. I've only loaded .311+ with those too.

The vast majority of x54R are slinging .311+ bullets, so the current expander (.308) holds them just fine. I could see needing a bigger one for a sewer pipe bore slinging cast, or a smaller one for a snug .308 Finn though.
 
I believe you can use the 303 Brit collet die to neck size for 54r to .311. My Mosins are all pretty tight so I get away with using a Swiss 7.62x55 collet Die for my 54r using .311 SMK's.
 
I ended up buying RCBS dies. They come with both expanders. $51 plus tax at WSS.

They seem to work well, though I had to remove 0.002" off the Lee shellholder to get the brass to size just right. I know - that was probably not necessary...
 
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