LEE 7.62x54R FL die with 308 rod for .310 bullets

[majormarine]

I have the LEE 7.62x54R FL sizer die, and it comes with a .308 expand/decap rod.

i find that if i use the Hornady 7.62 123 gr FMJ (.310) bullets, the .308 expanding rod works well! bullets are seated tightly!

i also tried the .308 expanding rod on my 303 sizer die, and it also seated the above bullets tightly!

i thought the 308 rod was only for .308 bullets (and isn't it too small for a x54R rifle?), and i didn't expect it to also work on .310 bullets.

now, my only source is the 123 gr bullets, and where can i get heavier .310 bullets? like 150 gr?

 

[Craig67]

I'm using the expander from a .303 British die set to load the .310 bullets, works fine for me.

The .308 expander just occupies space now, don't use it at all.

What I'd really like to see from Lee is a collet neck sizing die for the X54R.

Craig

 

[majormarine]

humm...for me, the expander from a .303 is too loose for the .310 bullets. i can even pull them out with my fingers without difficulty.

 

[Harold Manback]

When I load 7.62 x 39 mm with 123 gr .310 FMJ bullets I purposely steal the expander from my .308 dies and put it in my 7.62 x 39 mm dies. I like to have the extra neck tension on the bullet to prevent bullet set back. The bullets don't feel overly hard to seat. I measured my .310 FMJ and they came out .309 so I figured perhaps my lot of .310 bullets were a bit under size.

 

[desporterizer]

Are you using igman brass?

 

[majormarine]

that's a good question! i am using 'nny', Prvi Partisan i believe? even though i have not use other brand than nny, this brass is very hard, comparing to my IVI 303 or FC 308, when considering the ease of FL resize.

also, my FL sizer shaves off a thin film of brass from about 40% in length from the base of the case, and also leaves a ring just above the base rim.

i heard graf is pretty good, but i can't find them...

Are you using igman brass?

 

[Northman999]

now, my only source is the 123 gr bullets, and where can i get heavier .310 bullets? like 150 gr?

You should be able to shoot .311 dia bullets, actually designed for 303 british, in your rifle without problems. There should be lots of 150 - 180gr bullets then available to you that way. You'll have to work up loads and watch your pressure, but shooting .311 in an actual .310 bore should have no noticeable affect whatsoever.

 

[majormarine]

yup, i tried them! but they do not work very well with my prvi brass. i can't seat them too deep because they will bent the brass. yes, i am using the 303 expanding rod with my x54R FL die.

reason i'm looking for .310 bullets is because it is cheap. $16.50 for 100 of 123 gr .310 bullets vs $30+ for 100 of 150 gr .311 bullets. i expect the heavier .310 bullets will still be cheaper than their .311 counterpart...

You should be able to shoot .311 dia bullets, actually designed for 303 british, in your rifle without problems. There should be lots of 150 - 180gr bullets then available to you that way. You'll have to work up loads and watch your pressure, but shooting .311 in an actual .310 bore should have no noticeable affect whatsoever.

 

[diananike]

I'm using the expander from a .303 British die set to load the .310 bullets, works fine for me.

The .308 expander just occupies space now, don't use it at all.

What I'd really like to see from Lee is a collet neck sizing die for the X54R.

Craig

That's what I do too, when I tried with the stock .308 one it just crushed the case mouth.
I think it;s stupid to ship 7.62x54R dies with .308 expanders as only the Finnish rifles actually have that bore.

 

[diananike]

$16.50 for 100 of 123 gr .310 bullets vs $30+ for 100 of 150 gr .311 bullets. i expect the heavier .310 bullets will still be cheaper than their .311 counterpart...

Where do you get the 125s for that price? I think they are 25$ here.