Mosin nagant 7.62x54r

[douglass]

Hi all
looking to start reloading for my 7.62x54R , would like to try a lee collet die for this as i want to neck size only but cannot seem to see any collet dies this size.
Also i have seen 7.62x39mm collet and wondered what the difference would be?
any replies greatly appreciated,
P.S i have heard 303 dies can be used???
regards
douglas

Information

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[Parashooter]

The Lee collet die is case- and neck-length specific. Its mandrel is bullet-diameter specific. Consequently, for loading 7.62x54R (53.7mm case) with ~.311" bullets, one might get away with the 7.5x55 (55.5mm case) or .300 WSM (53.3mm case) collet combined with the .303 British mandrel. The .303 British collet, designed for a 56.4mm case, will work - but will not size the full length of the 7.62x54R's neck.



Another expedient is to employ a .308 Win. collet die with a steel spacer placed over the case so it comes between collet and shellholder, effectively lengthening the collet by the spacer's thickness. ~2mm should be adequate.

[douglass]

hi there
thanks for that
regards
douglas

[Buntlineguy]

Try RCBS if you want a neck-sizing die.
B

[jmoore]

Regarding the use of the 303 British cllet die for the 7.62x54R, it seems to me that enough of the neck would be sized for use in a Mosin. I don't heck size my 303 British cases the full length of the neck, either. However, I haven't tried it for the Russian cartridge, so...???

[Ro-bert]

you can also take a .303 die and shorten the collet by 2.5 mm and put the Madrel higher with a spacer. It works fine on my friends mosin. that was a tip from my good friend (Mosin expert and Lover)

[Parashooter]

There's no need to neck size any farther than the bullet is seated - and sometimes they shoot very well when seating is deeper than the sized section. The only valid rule is "try it and see".

[jmoore]

Thanks. Parashooter, for confirming my suspicions.

I haven't used the collet dies yet. Can one control the amount of sizing in order to compensate for varying case neck thickness? Right now I mostly use the Redding bushings, often in conjuction with the expander ball, but it gets kind of tedious when dealing with various small lots of brass. (Never mind case neck turning or such- too much bother except for benchrest!)

[Ro-bert]

Can one control the amount of sizing in order to compensate for varying case neck thickness?

Inner diameter is (when properly set) is always equal to mandrel diameter (when collet closes - it presses neck material to mandrel). Pressure can You adjust with some (1/4) turn of complete die more or less into the press.
The good with the collet - you don't have to lubricate your cases.


EDIT:
To illustrate (ignore mark - left over from the one other debate)

and some comparison:

[jmoore]

Inner diameter is (when properly set) is always equal to mandrel diameter (when collet closes - it presses neck material to mandrel). Pressure can You adjust with some (1/4) turn of complete die more or less into the press.

The good with the collet - you don't have to lubricate your cases.

Gotcha! So the mandrel doesn't enter the into the cartridge case neck, it's there for collet dimensional control, yes?