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tlo7mm Super Member
Joined: Nov 15, 2010 Posts: 426 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 3:35 am Post subject: .243 Win question |
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I am looking at gearing up for reloading for .243 Winchester real soon. I was curious if anyone has resized .308 brass to .243 and what are the concerns of doing so?
I have avoided resizing brass from one caliber to another (IE 30-06/.270, .223/.222 etc) in order to avoid not mixing them up however in this case I have no intention of acquiring a .308 (never liked em and don't want one. Personal preference) and I have a fair amount of brass I have dug up for one. I would say if I found one for a steal I might buy one but then sell or trade it.
I am also interested in everyone's personal pet load and what you may use it for?
_________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." ~ The Dalai Lama
Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence. - Napoleon Bonaparte
The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that would operate with perfect equality. - Andrew Jackson
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. - Mark Twain |
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tikkat3 Super Member
Joined: Jul 30, 2006 Posts: 800
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 4:26 am Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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85 grn Sierras HPBT and H4350 nothing liked them rabbits to medium pigs
95 grn BT's and H4350 I liked these but the Sierra grouped better
It was a Weatherby Vanguard not sure on the twist but it didn't like 100-105 grn pills
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15705 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:14 am Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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Possible problems include necks becoming to thick, they will either need to be reamed or neck turned. The formation inside the neck that's referred to as a doughnut. If that happens it will need to be reamed out, also possible for it to return after further resizing. Depending on the process and other variables it's possible to not set the shoulder back far enough for easy chambering. You may need to anneal the brass after forming. Some will advise doing it in steps ..... 308 to 7mm08 to 260 then 243.
Most reloaders tend to shy away from military brass, to thick and harder to work with.
As far as recipes go I can't give advise there because I'm shooting 6mm Remington, but I can tell you there are a lot of excellent .243 bullets out there.
If you can't get Nosler B-Tips to shoot you probably got other issues.
That 85gr Sierra HPBT is definitely worth looking at.
The 87gr Hornady V-max showed me some serious potential but I never got back to developing a load for it.
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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SingleShotLover Super Member
Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:40 am Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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I agree with Chambered about the possible problems using brass other than originally made for the .243. Whether it is true or not, the .243 has a reputation of unexpected pressure spikes. I have had three over the years without a problem of any sort, but I don't try to load super hot anyway. I do know that one of the most accurate long-distance (under 500 yards) rifles I have owned was a .243 in a Ruger V/T. Find the right brass, the right load and bullet and have a ball!
_________________ If you can't hit it with one, you probably can't with two either!
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gelandangan Super Member
Joined: May 07, 2006 Posts: 6396 Location: Sydney Australia
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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+ 1 must ream neck after resize..
IMHO not worthed.
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Do - Not try!
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hunterjoe21 Super Member
Joined: Mar 30, 2007 Posts: 1486 Location: Miles City, Montana
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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I tried resizing 308 into 243 once, when I first started reloading and didn't fully understand the intricacies of the craft, 243 brass was difficult to find but 308 was cheap and everywhere, especially Federal "match". It didn't work for me.
My current 243 load is an 85 gn. Sierra HPBT Gameking over 38.2 grains of Varget. It shoots .5 inch groups from my Remington 700 ADL, and kills groundhogs, coyotes, and feral cats DRT. Since I'm in a "shotgun" state, I have no idea what it might do to deer sized game.
_________________ My 1911 is more effective than your 911. |
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PaulS Super Member
Joined: Feb 18, 2006 Posts: 4330 Location: South-Eastern Washington - the State
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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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The neck thickness and whether you have to turn them will depend on your chamber. Try loading a dummy round (no primer or powder) and chamber it. If it chambers without effort then load a few ronds and fire one. Check to see if you can slip a bullet into the mouth of the fired case. If you can then you don't need to turn or ream the necks. If a bullet won't go in then you need to ream or turn the necks just enough that a bullet will slip into a fired case. If you ream or turn too much your accuracy will suffer - so take it slow.
For best case life you will want to anneal the necks before and after the sizing process and have minimal clearance for the case neck. (no more than 0.002" in diameter)
_________________ Paul
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Speer, Lyman, Hodgdon, Sierra, and Hornady = reliable loading data
So and So's pages on the internet = NOT reliable loading data
Always check data against manuals
NEVER exceed maximum listed loads |
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slimjim Super Member
Joined: May 16, 2009 Posts: 8314 Location: Fort Worth TX
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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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If you like monolithic bullets, the 80 gr Hornady GMX expands well and holds together. The 80 TTSX is a close second. Both of these bullets shot sub moa for me near max with Win 760 powder without even trying. I've also tried 85 TSX and 90 Etip but this gun couldn't group them less than 3 moa no matter what I tried, powder or COAL.
_________________ "To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt
"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein |
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Elvis Super Member
Joined: Jul 27, 2008 Posts: 9239 Location: south island New Zealand
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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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_________________ You shot it You pluck it !
Them who eats the most duck eats the most feathers! |
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slimjim Super Member
Joined: May 16, 2009 Posts: 8314 Location: Fort Worth TX
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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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Elvis wrote: |
I would almost be tempted to hunt with it even though its only a two for free rat gun |
you are taking the lead on funny there, Elvis!
_________________ "To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt
"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein |
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dhc4ever Super Member
Joined: May 26, 2011 Posts: 2944 Location: Ipswich, Queensland Australia
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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:27 pm Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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You should hear that line with te kiwi accent........
_________________ Pete
Dont do anything you wont like explaining to the paramedics.............. |
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tlo7mm Super Member
Joined: Nov 15, 2010 Posts: 426 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:28 am Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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Thank you all. I was considering a Hornady SST in 95 gr but I am not sure yet. I'm still feeling my way out. I actually expected the answer that I got about resizing .308 to .243 but I had to ask to see what you folks said. I have asked in the past about resizing .223 brass to .222 rem and found similar issues with neck trimming and It sounds like more work then it is worth in the long run as both .222 rem and .243 win are readily available.
_________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." ~ The Dalai Lama
Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence. - Napoleon Bonaparte
The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that would operate with perfect equality. - Andrew Jackson
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. - Mark Twain |
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chambered221 Super Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2007 Posts: 3455 Location: Lost for good !!!
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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Dad uses the 95gr. SST in his 6mm Remington for whitetails !!!
I don't think he's ever recovered a bullet. Straight through every time, even on hard angling shots.
Compared to the 95gr. B-tip it definitely penetrates more.
_________________ Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington |
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Dawgdad Super Member
Joined: Feb 08, 2006 Posts: 1065 Location: On the Prairie
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: .243 Win question |
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For coyotes the 58 gr. Vmax with around 44 gr. Varget is the ticket. seat them at 2.565" . DRT bang flop performance.
That bullet has also worked real well with many powders in the .243. I get sub MOA from the 58Vmax and H414, IMR4064 and IMR8208XBR.
_________________ Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency... |
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