And yet another reloading question

[howie]

Are .308 Winchester and 7.62x51 the same?

[Frederick]

Yep! Same thing.

[howie]

Ok. Here's the problem. I just bought a set of Lee .308 Win dies. I started decapping some cases for one of my buddies last night, and it didn't go as planned. I ended up smashing a few cases at the shoulder even after adjusting the die repeatedly. The decapper pin kept sliding up, no matter how tight I got it, and then I found the whole decapper clamp to be completely stripped out. I ordered a new one today. The cases are stamped MAL 7.62 12-85. after measuring a random five cases this is what I got....51.19, 51.11, 51.24, 51.20, 51.03mm. All cases were lubed. I quit after running 6 or 8 thru my press. Any suggestions before I order another set of .308 dies, or am I just too stupid to breathe?

[Big Ben]

deleted 'cause I don't know enough yet.

[gunnutbmg]

i would try a decaping die first and then run them through a sizing die
or you can try running them down in stages
i would also suggest a rcbs die for military surplus ammo or a higher quality die because the primers are crimped in and very hard on decaping pins
by the sound of your problems your using a lee die set. they are good dies for commercial ammo but not strong enough for military surplus with crimped primers
and if you don't have it already you should get a primer pocket swaging tool to open the primer pocket up

[melloman]

Are .308 Winchester and 7.62x51 the same?

Technically, no they are not. Do a search on the net (Zedicker) and you will find articles to explain more clearly.

[melloman]

Lee decapping dies have a safety mechanism built in that causes the decapping pin to retract when the pin can't make it thru the flash hole or punch out a tough primer to keep it from breaking. Some cases have tight flash holes - buy a flash hole tool (Lyman is ok) and deburr them after decapping. Sometimes the primers are crimped in pretty tight - usually only military brass - buy a Dillon super swage if you plan to remove the crimp from lots of milsurp brass.

[canes7]

Are .308 Winchester and 7.62x51 the same?

In the context of buying reloading dies, yes.

[howie]

Thanks. They are military cases. Should have just stuck with RCBS dies from the sounds of it. Thanks.

[canes7]

Thanks. They are military cases. Should have just stuck with RCBS dies from the sounds of it. Thanks.

Dumb question but, berdan or boxer primed?

[howie]

they're boxer.