Seating 7.62x45 with 7.62x39 die

tangolima · November 29, 2015, 09:49 PM

Will it work?

I got myself a Vz52, and am ready to hand load for it. Dies cost a small fortune. I reckon I will need a sizing die. But for bullet seating I hope I can reuse my 7.62x39 seating die. Doing so could save me a small sum.

Thanks for your help in advance.

-TL

Sevens · November 29, 2015, 09:52 PM

I do not load either of those rounds but it has been my experience that:

a) quite often, this works VERY well
b) simply cannot see much, if any risk in trying

I have re-purposed many dies and compared to the real experimenting types... I am a lightweight. I see no reason whatsoever that you shouldn't jump in to that with both feet and see what you see!

tangolima · November 29, 2015, 10:19 PM

There is risk. Buying both sizing and seating dies as a set costs less than buying them individually. If it doesn't work I will end up paying even more.

Based on the dimensions and drawings, it should work. But it would be better if I can confirm it with folks here.

-TL

849ACSO · November 29, 2015, 10:22 PM

I certainly think is would work. I have done so with 308 seating dies and .30-06 rounds. I think screwing out the die body and raising the seating plug would get you enough room to get the length you need.

For that fact, I would think you would be able to seat the bullet with a hunk of wood and a mallet if you could be precise enough with depth..............

tangolima · November 30, 2015, 11:05 AM

Thanks guys. I feel more confident that it will work. I will skip the seating die and save $75.

-TL

PA-Joe · November 30, 2015, 06:28 PM

Where are you buying your dies? Here in the USA you can get a Lee Die set for under $30.00 US. One issue that may come up is that you will not be able to crimp the bullet should that be necessary. This wider 45 (308) may not fit into the 39 die - check first. The 54 (7.62x54R) should fit.

tangolima · November 30, 2015, 09:34 PM

I don't think Lee is making that die set any more. It was a special run. They still take special order but will have $100 set up charge. A group buy may work.

Other than that, rcbs and ch4d are still making the die. Rcbs must be a set for $150, and ch4d has sizer for $80.

-TL

DarthNul · December 1, 2015, 11:17 PM

You might find the blackout bullets to be loose in the 7.62x39 seating die. While both calibers are designated "7.62 mm", the bullets are NOT the same size.

tangolima · December 1, 2015, 11:22 PM

It is not black out. It is 7.62x45 Czech, an obselet round. Bullet diameter should be 0.310".

-TL

jaysouth · December 4, 2015, 11:49 PM

More background:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...g-7-62x39-dies

tangolima · December 5, 2015, 12:24 PM

I read that thread before. I'm not sure how good a job a 7.62x39 sizing die can form a 7.62x45 though. They have different shoulder angles and tapers. I guess they just keep squeezing the case till it chamber, fire form, and neck sizing afterwards. I don't quite like this approach, especially for a semi auto. I would rather pay for a real sizing die and do it right.

Reading the thread again makes me realize that they must be using 7.62x39 seating die to seat the bullets. That's what I need to know. Thanks.

-TL

emcon5 · December 5, 2015, 02:47 PM

Curious, what are you using for brass?

tangolima · December 5, 2015, 03:38 PM

I plan to use 6.5 carcano.

-TL

kilimanjaro · December 5, 2015, 04:18 PM

The PRVI brass in 6.5 Italian is supposed to be pretty good for this.

November 29, 2015, 09:49 PM	#1
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,827	Seating 7.62x45 with 7.62x39 die Will it work? I got myself a Vz52, and am ready to hand load for it. Dies cost a small fortune. I reckon I will need a sizing die. But for bullet seating I hope I can reuse my 7.62x39 seating die. Doing so could save me a small sum. Thanks for your help in advance. -TL

November 29, 2015, 09:52 PM	#2
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I do not load either of those rounds but it has been my experience that: a) quite often, this works VERY well b) simply cannot see much, if any risk in trying I have re-purposed many dies and compared to the real experimenting types... I am a lightweight. I see no reason whatsoever that you shouldn't jump in to that with both feet and see what you see! __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 29, 2015, 10:22 PM	#4
849ACSO Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2014 Location: Somewhere in the middle Posts: 629	I certainly think is would work. I have done so with 308 seating dies and .30-06 rounds. I think screwing out the die body and raising the seating plug would get you enough room to get the length you need. For that fact, I would think you would be able to seat the bullet with a hunk of wood and a mallet if you could be precise enough with depth.............. __________________ "The day you stop learning SHOULD directly coincide with the day you stop breathing."

December 1, 2015, 11:17 PM	#8
DarthNul Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 288	You might find the blackout bullets to be loose in the 7.62x39 seating die. While both calibers are designated "7.62 mm", the bullets are NOT the same size. __________________ The most feared gun control law proposal: Require buyers to register all gun purchases with their wives

November 29, 2015, 10:19 PM	#3
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,827	There is risk. Buying both sizing and seating dies as a set costs less than buying them individually. If it doesn't work I will end up paying even more. Based on the dimensions and drawings, it should work. But it would be better if I can confirm it with folks here. -TL

November 30, 2015, 11:05 AM	#5
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,827	Thanks guys. I feel more confident that it will work. I will skip the seating die and save $75. -TL

November 30, 2015, 06:28 PM	#6
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	Where are you buying your dies? Here in the USA you can get a Lee Die set for under $30.00 US. One issue that may come up is that you will not be able to crimp the bullet should that be necessary. This wider 45 (308) may not fit into the 39 die - check first. The 54 (7.62x54R) should fit.

November 30, 2015, 09:34 PM	#7
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,827	I don't think Lee is making that die set any more. It was a special run. They still take special order but will have $100 set up charge. A group buy may work. Other than that, rcbs and ch4d are still making the die. Rcbs must be a set for $150, and ch4d has sizer for $80. -TL

December 1, 2015, 11:22 PM	#9
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,827	It is not black out. It is 7.62x45 Czech, an obselet round. Bullet diameter should be 0.310". -TL

December 4, 2015, 11:49 PM	#10
jaysouth Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2001 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 787	More background: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...g-7-62x39-dies

December 5, 2015, 12:24 PM	#11
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,827	I read that thread before. I'm not sure how good a job a 7.62x39 sizing die can form a 7.62x45 though. They have different shoulder angles and tapers. I guess they just keep squeezing the case till it chamber, fire form, and neck sizing afterwards. I don't quite like this approach, especially for a semi auto. I would rather pay for a real sizing die and do it right. Reading the thread again makes me realize that they must be using 7.62x39 seating die to seat the bullets. That's what I need to know. Thanks. -TL

December 5, 2015, 02:47 PM	#12
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Curious, what are you using for brass?

December 5, 2015, 03:38 PM	#13
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,827	I plan to use 6.5 carcano. -TL

December 5, 2015, 04:18 PM	#14
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	The PRVI brass in 6.5 Italian is supposed to be pretty good for this.