AARRGGGHHH Marketing people!

[bluebayou]

So I got some Lee RGB dies for the 7.62x39 Russian.  I KNEW this would happen.  I sized all of my new brass.  I go to seat the first bullet and:



I curse Ruger or whoever started this .308 bore size 7.62x39 crap.  What is SAAMI for?  ARRRGGHH.  "small rifle primer brass from Remington" "large rifle primer brass from Winchester"  two bore sizes  ARRRGGGHHHH.

Lee will send a replacement decapper, but............AAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHH.  Why would you sell the die with .308?  (okay, not many reload for an SKS, I grant that)   ARGH.

[Dusty Miller]

AAARRRGGG!!

[buffermop]

GET RID OF THE LEE CRAP!!!

[superhornet]

Lee Dies are as good as any on the market.  Normally the dies will come with an expander for the .308 and one for the .310-.311.  Knowing the bore size of the weapon being loaded for is normally a positive approach to reloading...

[bluebayou]

I guess that my biggest disappointment is that they GIVE away the .311 expander if you call and ask for it.  What sense does that make?  Are you just saving a buck on the expander, then giving me a second expander, plus paying postage on it?  Doesn't make sense. 

[Reed1911]

I'm no fan of Lee, but....two things you can do to solve this. #1 cut a lite chamfer on the ID of the brass. Next, do NOT set up Lee dies like they tell you, most of their dies will cause what you have shown. Run the brass all the way to the top, then screw the die down until it makes contact with the case (not the damn shellholder) then seat the bullet. If you need a light crimp and don;t have the FCD, seat all your bullets and then go back with the seat stem screwed way out and adjust the die for a light crimp.

[fastbike]

Nicely said.

Knowing the bore size of the weapon being loaded for is normally a positive approach to reloading...

[bluebayou]

Frankly, I ignored this comment as I am not sure what he means.  Is Superhornet implying that I did not know the bore size of my own rifle?  I assume that he meant something else that wasn't insulting, but that I just didn't understand.  Now, that you have seconded it....why don't either of you "dumb it down" for me?

[stimpylu32]

Calm down Blue , your taking this way to seriously , it happens and more importantly did you learn anything ? I too feel that Lee should have sold both expanders with the set but most people will opt to load 308 cal. bullets even if the bore is 310 or 311 just because they are easier to get . and most people don't load for the SKS / AK rifles as these are not known to be real tac drivers with any ammo .

I take it you were using 310 /311 bullets as you should in the over sized bore of the SKS , next time if in dout get out the calp. and check the expander and sized brass to make sure .

It gets better , Trust me . 

stimpy

[bluebayou]

I assumed that between reloading .308 for Ruger or .311 for SKS/AK ammo, Lee Precision went with .311----what, 100 million rifles versus 10,000.  That and frankly, cheap dies and cheap rifles kinda going together. 

I concede that handloading for the SKS is probably a fool's errand.  Stepping back from it, I see what you mean.  By my same logic, there are probably 100 people with .308 bullets on the shelf versus 1 guy with .311 bullets on the shelf for his Enfield or MN. 

The irony is that since I have 25 brass sized to .308 and primed (doesn't look like the decapper is removable on Lee RGB expander) that I will try some 150 grain .308 on the offhand chance that they group. 

[bluebayou]

A quick update for anyone searching in the future:

Reed was absolutely correct about the die setup.  The new .311 expander came today.  The first two results are on the right.  I then reread the posts here and set up the die as Reed says with die making contact with brass and NOT the shellholder.  There was easily and 1/8" to 1/4" difference.  Wow.  The correctly sized and seated brass is on the left:

[stimpylu32]

Now to see how they shoot , what powder , bullet combo are you using ?

[Reed1911]

Bullet looks like a 125 or 123g V-Max, the best powder is most likely 1680, in the past it has done the best for us and most others.
As for folks that poo-poo re-loading the 7.62x39 tell them to stick it in their ear, not only will your groups improve you'll have a much broader selection of ammunition at hand. Wolf is fine for tin-can shooting, but it is pretty terrible otherwise, and dirty to boot.

[bluebayou]

It is the 123 VMAX.  I have H4895 and BLC-2 onhand.  Going to the local shop to get a proper powder, but figure that I can use these.  Will look for 1680, thanks.

Anything will improve upon the 8 inch groups that I got with Wolf polymer.  The weights and COLs are all over the place on their ammo. 

Its my compulsion to make things better. 

[Reed1911]

1680 is about the best all around powder, surplus WC680 is very close and a bit less expensive if you are loading enough to justify a few 8lb kegs,

[S.S.]

It is kind of a crap shoot reloading for any military surplus rifle
without first slugging the bore. SKS's can go from .310 to as high as .314 - .315.
That is why they have a reputation for being inaccurate. Match the bullet to a slugged
bore diameter and they are excellent shooters. Nothing at all wrong with trying to better
your accuracy ! even in an SKS ! I commend you for trying.