7.62x54r Expander Problem with 303

[TigerCreek]

I finally have enough brass to start reloading for my old Mosin.
I've been looking for 303 bullets as they come as a recommended replacement for the hard to find 7.62.
I came across a deal on some 150gr 303 bullets and thought I was ready.
After depriming and expanding the case I did a test fit with the bullets and they wouldn't start.
Being as these are straight jacketed and not boattails there's no gimme room to get them started.
What is my best option here? To get a decap/expand rod for a 303?
Never run into something like this before.

 

[poco loco]

Whose die set?

iirc, my Lee 7.62x39 dies had two expanders, one to use on .308-.309 bullets for American made barrels and one for the .311 Euro sizing.

You could try a slight bell on the brass but it probably will fail if the expander is too small.

 

[kcofohio]

iirc, my Lee 7.62x39 dies had two expanders, one to use on .308-.309 bullets for American made barrels and one for the .311 Euro sizing.

You could try a slight bell on the brass but it probably will fail if the expander is too small.

Correct, if you have Lee's stock sizing die, for 7.62x54R, you'll need this:

http://leeprecision.com/ez-x-exp-303-b.html

For bullets at .312"

 

[rsrocket1]

You could use the Lee Universal expanding die. That's what I use to get my cast C312-185-1R bullets started for my 91/30.

 

[TigerCreek]

Thanks. Y'all put me on the right track. I have the Lee Pacesetter set and their website says -
This die set includes a .308 expander. The 7.62 x 54 Russian load data has been developed around the .308 diameter. If your rifle has a .311 groove dimension, order the .311 expander here: /EZ-X-EXP-303-B.html

So it looks like a $3.50 expander is already made for my application and will solve my problem.

 

[rsrocket1]

Yes, that is a problem with the Lee full length die. It mashes the neck way down below what it should be then expands it to 0.305" for the .308 bullets. Using the .311 ball will expand it to .308. That really works the brass hard. I happen to have the Lee whack-a-mole dies and they neck size only to where I get good tension but not too tight for my 0.314" cast bullets.

 

[TrickyDick]

Yep, just get the .311 expander. I ordered it with my dies set. when you chamfer the neck after trimming, it kinda helps the bullet sit in place, but sometimes you have to hold it as it goes up into the seating die

 

[choppinlow]

Have you checked your barrel to see what size you really need vs. what size loads easily? The bores are not all the same (unfortunately) hence the options of expanders. Pick the expander for your rifle, not for a particular bullet you think you should load.

 

[TigerCreek]

Yep. Barrel checked out at .311. Have a 3 pack of the expanders on the way.

 

[TigerCreek]

Update.
The .311 expanders arrived today so I went out to my bench to get everything set up.
I expanded a case and tried to insert a bullet with no luck. I thought maybe I wasn't going deep enough.
That wasn't the problem.
I got my calipers out and checked the expander - .311
I then checked the 150gr 303 bullet - .312
That's a problem.
Suggestions?

 

[FROGO207]

Chamfer the inside of the case mouth. If more is needed a tapered punch that will just start to expand the end of the neck so that the bullet can start and then it will expand the neck to maintain tension as it is inserted would help. Or you could get a larger sized expander plug but this should not be necessary to keep good neck tension. This is why I like boat tail bullets--they will self expand the neck to the correct size (within reason).

 

[kcofohio]

The neck expander is to go below the neck when resizing the casing. It expands the neck as you draw the casing from the die. If the expander is too high, were the die, expander, and casing meet at once, it'll buckle the casing shoulder.

If you haven't yet chamfered the mouth, you could have a ring (bur) of excess material that the bullet is catching on.

I put Lee's die lube on a q-tip and rub a dab in the casing mouth. That will help keep it smoother for the bullet insertion.

I don't see .001" tension as a problem with brass. But there could be some roughness causing drag.

 

[TigerCreek]

+1 on the boat tail bullets. I use them in all my other rifles but I couldn't pass up this deal on the 303s I found.
Rather than a tapered punch - I may try inverting a bullet and tapping to create the same tapered effect.
Looks like I'll be keeping my eyes out for some boat tail 303s - this is a little too much like work