mosa Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Hello all i am just prepairing my .243 set up and was looking for a bit advice. I re sized my cases and just tried to set my seating die up. I measured a factory round that measured 2.626 overall length. I measured one from a friend that measures 2.695 so i tried adjusting my size to 2.640 as the hodgdon web site states (bearing in mind i get good groups with factory or my mates size & im not looking for bench rest results) anyway i tried to cycle these into my fifle and find them tight at the last point and on the down stroke of my bolt. the question is why?? ps i havent trimmed the case as i dont know what to trim it to ?thanks in advance for any replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 (edited) STOP! Get a lesson from someone who knows what they are doing. 243 Winchester Reloading Specifications. Bullet Diameter - .243" Maximum Case Length - 2.045" Trimmed Case Length - 2.035" Primer Size - Large Rifle Edited May 23, 2010 by garyb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owain Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Hello all i am just prepairing my .243 set up and was looking for a bit advice. I re sized my cases and just tried to set my seating die up. I measured a factory round that measured 2.626 overall length. I measured one from a friend that measures 2.695 so i tried adjusting my size to 2.640 as the hodgdon web site states (bearing in mind i get good groups with factory or my mates size & im not looking for bench rest results) anyway i tried to cycle these into my fifle and find them tight at the last point and on the down stroke of my bolt. the question is why?? ps i havent trimmed the case as i dont know what to trim it to ?thanks in advance for any replies Did you full length resize your cases? If not and they have been fired through a different rifle they will be hard to chamber. You could also try making a slit in a empty case, put a bullet head in the case and chamber the round a few times, take it out carefully and that will give you a rough guide to how long your round should be. Let us know how you get on and good luck. Owain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 sounds like you havnt full length sized them to just above the extractor ring on the case, also if they are not new cases you SHOULD make sure you know what to trim the oal length to otherwise you maybe in for a nasty surprise . is there anybody local to you that can show you the basics before attempting on your own? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owain Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Where abouts in Northumberland are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Did you full length resize your cases? If not and they have been fired through a different rifle they will be hard to chamber. You could also try making a slit in a empty case, put a bullet head in the case and chamber the round a few times, take it out carefully and that will give you a rough guide to how long your round should be. Let us know how you get on and good luck. Owain owain, sorry but that is terrible advice a rough guide is not good enough when homeloading, the round may well be too short or may sit right on the rifling which will both chamber ok but could give disastrous results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 trimming cases wont kill you, not trimming might. get some lessons mate, for all our sakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owain Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 owain,sorry but that is terrible advice a rough guide is not good enough when homeloading, the round may well be too short or may sit right on the rifling which will both chamber ok but could give disastrous results. Thats your opinion mate. Thats what I do and I know a few lads who do the same, maybe should have said to knock a couple of thou off the length of the round when you take it out. Just out of interest, how do you set your OAL I dont have stoney point gauges. Cheers Owain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owain Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 mosa Buy or borrow a lee cutter and lock stud in .243 cal this will cut all your cases to a safe OAL. Owain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRYAN3 Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Mate. Just get the proper trimmer for the calibre. It works a treat. Bryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Logic Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Lee cutters are about the best solution - they are very precise and repeatable, cheap, and can be chucked in a power drill to sort your cases in seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Were the cases you used fired in your rifle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Were the cases you used fired in your rifle? Kes - first post so here goes. May 23 2010 9.19 All of the advice given is worth listening to but you need to learn for yourself. You need a good reloading manual -up to date. I am quoting from the 'Modern Reloading, Second Edition by Richard Lee' For the Winchester 243, OAL is 2.710 inches - you need a micrometer to measure this. The case should be 2.045 when trimmed to length. You need a large rifle primer. With the higher velocity powders, e.g. H380 you start at 46.0 grains of powder for a 55 grain bullet (jacketed). First job is to remove the used primer. Get a Press and a de-primer which has a resizing collet which will size the case for the new bullet at the same time. Check that the primer pocket is fully clear - Lee tool is good. Get a Lee (or other) sizing tool to make your cases the dimension above. After sizing OAL, debur inside and outside of the case aperture. Reload with whatever powder you favour , as specified. Seat bullet with a crimping die which should crimp to about 100lbs pullout. Seat the bullet close to and not less than 2.710 inches. Thats it. I have the manual - need anymore help I'd be happy to advise if I can but others will be helpful. Good luck but check, check and check again until you KNOW you are doing it right. A freind of mine guessed how much powder he needed when he was given some when doing his reloading. He put in as much (grains) as his normal powder. The rifle, a Sako, blew apart and a piece of the breech lodged in his arm. He lived and was more careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosa Posted May 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 cheers for all the replies. I have a friend who has took me through the basics. I am using the same set up as he has provided for me. I just missed out the part about not trimming the case to length. The bits will be here in the morning so thats me set. I have downloaded all other details i will report back my findings on my 1st test Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosa Posted May 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 just done a quick check on my cases and all measure around 2.041 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owain Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 Your getting quite close to you max case length. I would wait for your trimmer to come trim and debur all your cases and have another try. Owain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosa Posted May 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 Your getting quite close to you max case length. I would wait for your trimmer to come trim and debur all your cases and have another try. Owain put them all in my trim die & non stuck out the top to trim either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 How did you measure OAL, did you measure to the ogive or tip ? Did you de-burr ? Did you clean the neck interior before charging and seating ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosa Posted May 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 How did you measure OAL, did you measure to the ogive or tip ? Did you de-burr ? Did you clean the neck interior before charging and seating ? i measured to the tip, no didnt rebur as yet as the gear is stuch at the postal depot until tomorrow, never charged yet just seated bullet & measured OAL and length of case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 How did you measure OAL, did you measure to the ogive or tip ? Did you de-burr ? Did you clean the neck interior before charging and seating ? i measured to the tip, no didnt rebur as yet as the gear is stuch at the postal depot until tomorrow, never charged yet just seated bullet & measured OAL and length of case Ok an easy remedy is to - 1 - Slap the guy who taught you. 2 - Slap your self. 3 - Do 1 & 2 above again, just so we are correct with everything. 4 - Don`t do anything as silly again. 5 - Get a book, better still 2 or 3 books on reloading and read them to death. 6 - IF you have any questions ask them on the internet. If you measure several bullets(the copper heads that hit the animal) they will be slightly different lengths for each one. Different manufacturers and different types will have different curves to the bullet and as such the area that will engage with the lands of the rifle. If you didn`t de-burr then there will be a small bit of brass interfering with concentricity etc. etc, and as such the run out, width of neck and so on. Really you need to go back to basics...... and give your "mate" and yourself a good slap. Only by posting here have you saved yourself from a painful experience IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 Never measure to the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 well said H mosa please take note we do worry about you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosa Posted May 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2010 Hello all i just thought id let you know i got sorted. I had instruction over the phone from a great chap and i had my full size die just off mark. 1/2 a turn on my die and thats it sorted. all sizes as manual and load with smooth delivery. i will get back with results when i try them at the week end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.