Thread: Crazy idea #213 :-)

Assuming I can have the 7.62x39 Baikal reamed out to take a 308 case...

I understand that the 7.62x39 bore is .310 or .311, so the chances of .308 projectiles being accurate is not very high.

If I then load 123gr .310 (7.62x39) projectiles or 150gr .311 (303) projectiles, what do I need to do for neck sizing ?

Will a chamfer tool be sufficient to get the 310 or 311 pills started into a case that has been neck sized using 308 dies ?

Or will I need to use a expander die / oversized bushing to flare the case mouth after neck sizing ?

My reloading background is pistol cases, so used to flaring the case mouth and then crimping.

Second question - any comments about using lightish (mid 120 gr) projectiles in 308.

Put an expander ball from a 7.62x39/7.62x54R/.303Brit die on your .308 die


you'll be working the necks a lot doing that though. Other option is a neck bushing die.

What about just getting a .308 barrel for the Baikal? Would assume after the smithing and buying bits and pieces for reloading it would be cheaper in the long run?

X39 Neck die and don't screw it down into the press as far.
I do all my 30 06 on a Lee hand press using 308 dies

so what your planing on doing is makeing a 308 that fires 303 pills why????????????????????? your bullet choice goes down to almost nothing imo
buy a std 308 and run light pills

Presumably he's trying to improve the capability of the rifle he already has.

Ill try and seat some 303 pills tonight, can't see it being a problem.

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Originally Posted by madjon_

X39 Neck die and don't screw it down into the press as far.
I do all my 30 06 on a Lee hand press using 308 dies

Cheers madjon. Is that using RGB or collet dies ?

Originally Posted by gimp

Presumably he's trying to improve the capability of the rifle he already has.

Correct, existing rifle, no more space in the safe and have invested some money in sorting the current one's trigger. Happy to stick with single shot, break down option - works for me. Basically just want to give it some extra legs.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Ill try and seat some 303 pills tonight, can't see it being a problem.

Tx VC

Originally Posted by ebf

Cheers madjon. Is that using RGB or collet dies ?

Hornady New Dimension

Can't imagine there'll be much resale on a .311" bore .308 rifle.

Full length sized in lyman dies lapua brass.



150sst .3125 dia

170 unknown. .3080 dia


No noticeable difference in pressure to seat. Runout the norm for my set up.

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I concur - the cost the chamber etc - you are ALMOST at another Baikal
Legs - 30-06?

I am picking he doesn't want too much extra recoil hence light pills?

Surely it wouldn't cost the price of another rifle to poke a reamer up a barrel that isn't attached to an action! ?

If you do end up doing it. Whatever belmont load as there 130gr hp 308 (speer? serra?) could be worth a go .

Shot well out of one of my 308s i had to put two patches on to clean and worked well on light game

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Why not simply rechamber to 303 British - which will be moreorless the correct bore size (.310 v .311) and, I expect, be better with a modified Baikal extractor (given it is a rimmed case you will not need the silly little spring loaded pin that is on the 7.62x39?).

Or buy a whole new gun as others have said for the purposes of swapping barrels (but would still pay to check head space and I am not sure Baikal engineering is sufficiently accurate to allow fore-end/attachment etc to swap straight over?)

That's a pretty clever idea huntsika

The extractor on my 7.62 is not spring loaded. It has a cross pin that rides in a slot, and is forced backwards when you open the action.

I checked a 308 case this morning, and suspect that because of the angle you load the cartridge, a 308 will not load without modifying the extractor in some way.