M14 Forum

Blademaker · March 22nd, 2011, 08:09 PM

What dies do you use for 7.62 nato? I ordered a set of Lee .308 dies, will this work with once fired 7.62?

Thanks

slopoke · March 22nd, 2011, 08:10 PM

I use the RCBS .308 dies. The lee will work just fine.

bricktop · March 22nd, 2011, 08:40 PM

Yessir. I use a Lee FL sizing die with no problems.

JMGlasgow · March 22nd, 2011, 08:48 PM

RCBS full length dies for me. No problems so far.

Rockzilla · March 22nd, 2011, 09:49 PM

RCBS .308 F.L. or Dillon

-Rock

TheTinMan · March 22nd, 2011, 09:59 PM

I started out with a set from Hornady. Nothing wrong with it (or the Lee dies) but I wanted to try the Forster Bench Rest Seating Die. The design is supposed to ensure the straightest possible insertion of the bullet in the case. IOW least amount of run-out. Seems to work great. Just got an RCBS full-length X-Sizing die because I hate trimming brass. I'll report back on how that works out (there's a recent thread on the X-Die if you search for it).

edpm3 · March 22nd, 2011, 10:51 PM

Ditto. RCBS .308 FL.

Blademaker · March 23rd, 2011, 02:30 AM

Thanks, I thought it would work, but wanted to double check and make sure.

nf1e@snet.net · March 23rd, 2011, 02:35 AM

RCBS sb 308. I also have a set of x-dies that I haven't tried.

mineralman55 · March 23rd, 2011, 03:30 AM

A standard RCBS full length die with standard seating die. Work just fine.

M1A's r BEST · March 23rd, 2011, 04:13 AM

Pacific (Hornady) dies for years. I bought a set of Lee dies a couple of years ago and use those sometimes as well. No issues with either in my M1A.

geeck · March 23rd, 2011, 04:13 AM

RCBS X-dies and a set of Lee.

RAMMAC · March 23rd, 2011, 06:17 AM

This is the bottom line when people ask about the differences between .308 Win and 7.62x51mm NATO...there are no 7.62x51mm sizing dies, at least none that are available for private citizens to buy in the United States.

The various dies differ only in how far down the length of the case the sizing die resizes the diameter of the brass and how large the mouth of the neck is expended. The shoulders can be bumped to shorter length (effecting the head space dimension of the case) by turning the sizing die farther down in to the press or farther up, out of the press. Also, you can buy special shell holders that vary in thickness that will help adjust the head space dimension.

The Full Length die is the most common sizing die and it usually works very well but the Small Base die resizes the case closer to the head and is useful if you seem to have a tight chamber. If you use a full length die and you start to have problems with chambering or extracting (and you don't have that problem with factory ammo) then you might have a tight chamber.

When I had only one M1A I was able to use the full length die without a problem but when I obtained a couple other rifles I found that only the older (circa 1980) rifle would work with the full length die, the SOCOM 16 and Loaded models needed the small base die. I now use the RCBS Small Base resizing die just to ensure that my cases will always function correctly regardless of which rifle I fire the cartridges in.

Seafury · March 23rd, 2011, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAMMAC

This is the bottom line when people ask about the differences between .308 Win and 7.62x51mm NATO...there are no 7.62x51mm sizing dies, at least none that are available for private citizens to buy in the United States.

The various dies differ only in how far down the length of the case the sizing die resizes the diameter of the brass and how large the mouth of the neck is expended. The shoulders can be bumped to shorter length (effecting the head space dimension of the case) by turning the sizing die farther down in to the press or farther up, out of the press. Also, you can buy special shell holders that vary in thickness that will help adjust the head space dimension.

The Full Length die is the most common sizing die and it usually works very well but the Small Base die resizes the case closer to the head and is useful if you seem to have a tight chamber. If you use a full length die and you start to have problems with chambering or extracting (and you don't have that problem with factory ammo) then you might have a tight chamber.

When I had only one M1A I was able to use the full length die without a problem but when I obtained a couple other rifles I found that only the older (circa 1980) rifle would work with the full length die, the SOCOM 16 and Loaded models needed the small base die. I now use the RCBS Small Base resizing die just to ensure that my cases will always function correctly regardless of which rifle I fire the cartridges in.

Listen to this man he knows what he is talking about. On our Canadian gun forum a number of the so called Guru's recomend neck sizing for the M1A. I think it is reckless given that these rifles can have out of battery detonations or slam fires if you will. oversized cases are one possible cause of this. I used to use a Lee full length sizer for my M14 (TRW) with no problems but now I use and RCBS small base sizer for my M1A's.

scooters45 · March 23rd, 2011, 07:51 AM

I use RCBS standard dies for all calibers I load.
I do have several calibers in duplicate because it is easier to load for different rifles and diifferent bullet weights that way.

Now that we are talking about here I think I will order a Small Base set for loading the M14 and M1 just to be on the safe side.

I have (in the past ) used small dase dies when loading for a .284 Win in a model 88 lever action as they came with the rifle and the previous owner said it operated better when reloded with them.