What is your experience with the RCBS 7.62x54r neck sizing die?

[BJung]

Lee is not making custom 7.7 Arisaka collet neck sizing dies at this time so plan to try an RCBS 7.62x54R neck sizing die. Does anyone have any experience using this die and how was your runout?

Information

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[Daan Kemp]

I don't have the detail to hand but the 303 dies might be an option or 30 Krag.

[72 usmc]

I would look around for an RCBS set or individual used:
RCBS 14430 Neck Sizer 7.7X58 Japanese Ammunition Die

[72 usmc]

I got one die but sold it off. My two rifles have generous chambers, yet still headspace on a FIELD arasaka gauge. I found it easier to just FL resize and use Prvi brass and reload 4 times with my four boxes of shells so they fit all 3 rifles. 50 rounds are about $41. The Prvi does expand, but reforms nicely in a normal RCBS die. However, two of my rifles really work the brass due to enlarged as made chambers. I do not (Waste of time) neck size for those rifles. I neck size only HXP British brass for my Enfield. I do not anneal brass, just toss it after 4 reloads. With Norma brass I did get neck cracks after two reloadings. Fire formed- neck sized and kept a box for each problematic rifle. Gave up on Norma Arasaka brass.
I guess it depends on how many rifles, how enlarged the brass gets, type of cartridge you use, if you anneal, and if the neck sized brass fits different rifles. Fire formed and neck sized then I had to keep my cartridges for each rifle One was tight if I mixed boxes.

Basically its a $2 a round expense to shoot 7.7. I do not reform 30-06 brass. Too old, I like my brass marked correctly so I do not mix it up. I bet without annealing you will still get small neck cracks if you neck size Norma -less with the Prvi.

I kind of gave up on reloading because I gots tons of ammo for the rifles I shoot. I rarely shoot the Arisakas. I have more fun with Enfields , Mausers and French stuff. The little I used my RCBS neck die it worked fine on both Norma and Prvi brass. The problem is how enlarged some Arasaka chambers are and the brass you use.
I have never re formed other brass to shoot in the 7.7. So maybe the big boys that shoot Arasakas all day have better, easier ways to reload. Some brass tricks.
Also I do not do fancy reloading, I got a few of my old 1960s RCBS Jr., iron presses and I like RCBS and CH4D dies. Lee is also ok, and its right next to my town in Hartford WI. I like Hornady lock nuts and dies and RCBS equipment over Lee, more an old thing, and finish factor--- like I like Snap on tools over Sears tools. I will take a snap on wrench or socket for use over others any day of the year. Some stuff last for years... My stuff is from the 1960-70s and Hornady and RCBS holds up. The big boys use Redding & Dillon.

Primers seem to be hard to find in the new political climate. That is my problem-- small pistol primers are gone....

[72 usmc]

Some interesting principles on British .303 neck sizing that may apply to Arasaka neck sizing in a proper die. At the least it's an interesting & informative post:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=43162

more info general:
Best dies for the 7.7x58 Japanese

[BJung]

My fireformed cases sounds like yours. The chamber is larger and the dies tend to swage the body - and for me - the shoulders. The fireformed shoulders look like the round Weatherby shoulders. Does anyone know if my FL sizer die can be reamed to my chamber dimensions and who can do this for a reasonable price?

[BJung]

I just discovered that Lee makes a 7.62x54r collet die. This will be my neck option if the RCBS neck sizing die doesn't lead to a concentric reloaded cartridge.

[Parashooter]

I suspect we're seeing some misunderstanding of a conventional neck-sizing die. A properly-dimensioned neck sizer is cut large enough everywhere but the neck to avoid touching body and shoulder of the fired case for which it is designed. Concentricity is dependent on alignment of die and shellholder plus uniformity of case neck wall thickness and hardness. Consequently, it shouldn't make any difference if we use a die designed for a larger-bodied case as long as neck diameter is appropriate and base-to-neck length not too great to allow adjustment to size neck near depth to which bullet will be seated. (I often use a 7.65x53 Mauser FL die to neck size .303 British - and .308 Win. FL sizer for .30/40 Krag with .308" bullets. When loading .311"+ cast bullets for the Krag, the 7.65x53 die does the job nicely.)

With the Lee collet die, alignment of mandrel and neck can also be affected by an off-center flash hole tight enough to force the mandrel away from center, but this is pretty uncommon.

[BJung]

I agree that the alignment of the case is important. My concern is whether the case mouth will align with the die if I am careful. I don't think a .303 neck sizer will work because the width of the 7.7 case is wider. Another concern is the expander button. I read some saying that it will stretch the neck. Maybe wiping the inside of the neck with Imperial Wax would help? Or would you think that removing the sizer button and using an expander plug would be better. Has anyone tried this?

[Parashooter]

Lubricating inside neck is standard procedure - and makes withdrawing case over expander much easier (and quieter - squeeek!). To avoid having powder stick inside neck (and maybe be contaminiated) we normally use a dry lubricant there - graphite or powdered mica.

FORSTER CASE GRAPHITER


The Forster Case Graphiter is constructed of tough, impact resistant plastic and the base is drilled to permit permanent mounting to a loading bench. Three brushes are mounted in the base. They will accommodate all calibers from .22 to .35. The Case Graphiter comes with enough white “motor mica” to process 2000-3000 cases. By moving the case neck up and down on the correct graphite-covered brush, the neck can be cleaned and lubricated at the same time. A cover is also included to keep dust and grit from contaminating