Hey guys I need a bit of help. I am purchasing supplies to begin loading and casting for the big russian and am a bit confused. I have not loaded for rifle calibers yet so my understanding of some specifics is shaky. I am looking at RCBS dies and want to be able to both neck size and full length resize. I plan on loading some jacketed bullets and of course cast, so I need to be able to load .310 through about .316 in these necks. My present understanding dictates an RCBS FL set (2 die) and an additional neck size only die, along with a 32 ACP expander die. Along with checking my needs against the mentioned equipment, I have these questions: AM I gaining anything by purchasing RCBS as opposed to LEE;?; (especially the 32 expander die?) Do I need (or really benefit from) the Lee factory crimp die for this caliber? I have read many comments about a discrepency in chamber dimensions with both Lee and RCBS dies in 7.62x54R (leaving a ring of excess brass around the case head after full-length sizing) does anyone have informations about this? is it a problem? is there a way around it? (some have finessed the dies with some fine grit) Does the neck size only die remove the spent primer?
This caliber is a bit tricky because those crazy Finns decided to tighten up the rifles they re-vamped, i.e. some are .308 some are .311 some are,,uhh,,, bigger, so the dies may be set up for .308 which does me no good for trying to load .316 or even .311 bullets. or does it??
Any help would be greatly appreciated. the thought of spending $30 (or more) for dies that won't really work nausiates me. It could be worse; I could buy the dies I mentioned in this post (which would cost around $100!!!!) and still not be able to produce ammo. OH GOD!!!