Reloading 7.62x39 problem

[CorsicanRedneck]

Hi all,

I started reloading a few months ago and did plenty of hangun ammo in 9mm, 38 spe and 45 ACP. They all work great and I've got the hang of it and I'm able to reload 100 rounds/hour with a single-stage press.

Anyway, I tried to reload some 7.62x39 rounds this morning for the first time. I've got good brass and I use that WC680 Army surplus powder for that specific round (I've got 2.5 lbs of it through a friend).

Following the same process than my handgun rounds, the bullet is kind of loose. If I seat it just fine, I can pull it by hand. If I try to seat it just slightly further, I can push it inside the case by hand. It just doesn't seem right. Anyway, I was wondering if I was doing something wrong. None of the handgun bullets do this. I tried a couple of different cases and 2 different bullets (123gr and 124gr FMJ).

Is there something I should know about rifle rounds reloading that is different than handguns?

Thanks!

[69Mach1]

What size bullets do you have?

[CorsicanRedneck]

Both the 123gr and 124gr I tried are .310. They were sold to be for 7.62x39 rounds.

[J-cat]

Maybe you should measure your expander?

[AnimalMother]

Do the bullets have a cannelure?(a crimping groove) If they do you may have to crimp them.

I had the same problem with some .308 rounds I bought that had the cannelure, but crimping solved that problem.

[CorsicanRedneck]

Do the bullets have a cannelure?(a crimping groove) If they do you may have to crimp them.

I had the same problem with some .308 rounds I bought that had the cannelure, but crimping solved that problem.

I tried both bullets just to be sure. One has it and the other don't. Maybe I should buy a crimping tool?
But what about the ones that don't have the crimping "groove"? You sure can't crimp these ones.

[CorsicanRedneck]

Maybe you should measure your expander?

You're talking about the resizing die, right?

[buffybuster]

Do you have your resizing die screwed all the way down? Did you read the setup instructions for the dies? Some 7.62x39 die sets include two expanders (.308" and .310" bullets).

[bruceflinch]

Do you have your resizing die screwed all the way down? Did you read the setup instructions for the dies? Some 7.62x39 die sets include two expanders (.308" and .310" bullets).

My thought as well. Typically, loading for a semi-auto, it's recommended to crimp the cases after bullet seating as well.

[CorsicanRedneck]

Do you have your resizing die screwed all the way down? Did you read the setup instructions for the dies? Some 7.62x39 die sets include two expanders (.308" and .310" bullets).

Yes and yes. The Lee resizing die came with only one expander. I think I'll contact them for more infos.

My thought as well. Typically, loading for a semi-auto, it's recommended to crimp the cases after bullet seating as well.

I think that you're right. I'll check with Lee for crimping the 7.62x39 cases with .310 bullets.

Thanks yall for the infos...

[ireload]

It looks like your only expander is a .308" in size. My Lee die set came with two expander sizes.

[polygunner]

Measure the projectile diameter.
Measure the inside of the case mouth.
If the case mouth is not at least .002" (2 thousandths) smaller than the projectile somthing is out if spec.

If you have a .308 expander the .311/.310 projectiles would be nice and tight.

I suspect the projectiles are undersized. Maybe .308 dia.

Measuring the expander is a good idea also.

Don't say you're reloading without a set of calipers.

Good luck
pg

[CorsicanRedneck]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll post again in several days when I come up with the resolution.

[CorsicanRedneck]

[polygunner]

Are you getting lube inside the case mouth?
Can You measure the bullets diameter?

Lube shouldn't make the bullets as loose as you say they are but if you have a few .308 bullets in your batch of .310 bullets that could do it.

pg