Reloading issues

[Drachenblut]

Hello Everyone,

I have a problem... I have an SVT 40 and reloaded the brass (40 rounds) with a Lee Die set for 7.62 X 54 r... but they do not work! The bolt does not close and the bullet is jammed... i talked to an old mil surp collector and he says i need something called "Small Base" dies for the caliber, but has no idea who makes them or uses them

Where can I find these, who makes it and how much am I looking at to fork out for a set?

Thanks,
Drac.

 

[rollie100]

i know redding makes small base dies, rcbs as well, but pricey... dont know about that caliber though.

 

[ckc123]

Wow.. I bet you can find someone who knows the answer if you posted this in the RELOADING section..

 

[rollie100]

try ellwood epps, they list redding, rcbs and others. see what they say about getting small base dies in your caliber...

 

[tiriaq]

Take a sized case. Smoke it with candle soot. Gently try to close the bolt on it. See where there is interference if the bolt won't close. Repeat with a bullet seated. You should be able to locate where the problem is.
Some rifles do require the use of SB dies. But unless it is the base area of the case that is causing the problem, there would be no point in trying to get a set.

 

[Katana]

Candle soot, good idea I'm going to have to use that one

 

[bearhunter]

Your SVT40 has a fluted chamber. Any rifle or semi auto with a fluted chamber will have expansion issues and will need to be full length resized. I'm not sure that your Lee die set will full length resise the case to the base, but only size the neck on a mandrel?

 

[ben hunchak]

Don't know anything about the cal. or the rifle but, are you sure that the only prob. is the bullet may be seated out too far.

 

[sunray]

Any semi-auto requires FL resizing every time. Fluted chamber or not. It's either a Small Base sizer die or Full Length. A regular FL die should be just fine.
If your Lee sizer die(using a press, not a mallet?) has FL stamped on it, it's an FL die and you need to set the die up correctly to FL resize. The bottom of the die should just kiss the shell holder with the ram all the way up. Then adjust the decapper to pop out the spent primer.
If you're using a Lee Loader, with the mallet, it will only neck size. Lee Loaders do not come with an FL sizer die and there isn't one you can buy.
Check the lengths of the cases(what make?) too. Trim 'em and chamfer the inside of the case mouth and deburr the outside. Check the OAL of the reloaded cartridge as well.
"...the bullet is jammed..." Stuck in the rifling? That usually means the loaded round is too long. Take out the bolt then, with a 1/4" mild steel or brass rod, pop it out from the muzzle end.

 

[Drachenblut]

Allright. Looks like I need a small base or Full Length resising die set... as for bullet length etc, I measured it to the maximum case length for the caliber with calipers and it was well under. i figured out the issue is the case is "bulged" ie not reshaped about a half centimeter to 3/4 centimeter up from the rim, and it will not re-enter the rifle. i've just about had it with trying to find reloading stuff for the calber. Heck military junk ammo is only 7.50 a box of 20. I'd hate to ruin my rifle, but I'll contact Ellwood. Thanks all.

 

[Andy]

I doubt that you need to seek out a small base die set.

Is the chamber clean? Are you sure there isn't a separated case neck int he chamber? When you re-size, do you have the shellholder touching the bottom of the die? After you do that, can you now chamber the empty case? If not, can you chamber an empty "virgin" case? If yes to both, it's all about what the bullet might be doing. Either it's seated out too far or it's too large in diameter (the latter is doubtful). With a F/L sized, but empty and unprimed case, try seating the bullet progressively deeper until it will chamber with ease and let us know the OAL of the cartridge. You'd then seat it about 50 thou deeper and be ready to go.