? 0n .243/.308 reloading

[jbmid1]

I know it's possible to use make .243 from .308 and vice-versa. How
highly recommended is it. Anybody here done this either way. If so, which is easier, necking .243 up, or .308 down?

[JLA]

Its doable but not practical. necking down a .308 will make a really ugly neck. and necking up a .243 makes a really thin one. Both cartridges are readily available and easy to get.

[76Highboy]

Originally Posted by jbmid1

I know it's possible to use make .243 from .308 and vice-versa. How
highly recommended is it. Anybody here done this either way. If so, which is easier, necking .243 up, or .308 down?

I think I am right when I say you can take the .308 down to .243 or visa versa. However I prefer not to because if you take .308 to .243 it is still head stamped .308. Therefore you have room for error and a big accident. Can you trade your .308 with someone that has .243? I would try to avoid it if it were me but that is just my preference.

I hope that helps.

[JLA]

you cant just simply run a .308 into a .243 die and get a .243 case. It is such a drastic reduction in neck diameter it has to be done in steps. You get a big wrinkle in the middle of the shoulder doing it this way. i was bored one afternoon and tried it..You can however, run a .243 case into a .308 die and get a .308 case so long as the neck doesnt split. this is where annealing plays a big part of the process.

Originally Posted by JLA

you cant just simply run a .308 into a .243 die and get a .243 case. It is such a drastic reduction in neck diameter it has to be done in steps. You get a big wrinkle in the middle of the shoulder doing it this way. i was bored one afternoon and tried it..You can however, run a .243 case into a .308 die and get a .308 case so long as the neck doesnt split. this is where annealing plays a big part of the process.

I am glad I didn't know this when I necked down 500 308s by running them up into a 243.

You should anneal before and trim after. If you do that it is just that easy as running 308 brass into a 243 die. Going from 243 up to 308 is a very bad idea as you will end up splitting necks very quickly.

As for making 308 out of 30-06 brass that's crazy because you would have to Cut the brass down then form it in steps annealing between steps then trim it again then you would need to inside and outside neck turn the brass.

[aa1911]

as said above, both very common rounds, I would not even consider doing either, just trade 'em. The time you spend attempting such a big change will likely be lost in far fewer reloads from them not to mention the % of ruined cases.

just my .02

[JLA]

Originally Posted by cpttango30

I am glad I didn't know this when I necked down 500 308s by running them up into a 243.

You should anneal before and trim after. If you do that it is just that easy as running 308 brass into a 243 die. Going from 243 up to 308 is a very bad idea as you will end up splitting necks very quickly.

As for making 308 out of 30-06 brass that's crazy because you would have to Cut the brass down then form it in steps annealing between steps then trim it again then you would need to inside and outside neck turn the brass.

Id like to see some pics of that Tango. Ive tried it. The problem is the .243 has twice the shoulder and half the neck length of a .308. you can do it, but how do you get rid of the wrinkle?

Originally Posted by JLA

Id like to see some pics of that Tango. Ive tried it. The problem is the .243 has twice the shoulder and half the neck length of a .308. you can do it, but how do you get rid of the wrinkle?

Never had any wrinkles in my brass. Just sized them and trimmed them and loaded them.

How hard is it to see a difference in a .243" neck and a .308" neck? If you can't see that maybe you shouldn't be reloading to begin with.

What I would do is use Remington brass for one and Winchester brass for the other. You can also mark the cases with sharpie 3 lines on the case body for 308 2 lines for 243.

[gdmoody]

I don't have a .243 so I have never tried either. I have taken .270 brass and resized it into a 30-06, just to see it done. I have only done a couple, like I said just to see it. Those two are still loaded up somewhere in my stock-pile.

[JLA]

Originally Posted by cpttango30

Never had any wrinkles in my brass. Just sized them and trimmed them and loaded them.

How hard is it to see a difference in a .243" neck and a .308" neck? If you can't see that maybe you shouldn't be reloading to begin with.

What I would do is use Remington brass for one and Winchester brass for the other. You can also mark the cases with sharpie 3 lines on the case body for 308 2 lines for 243.

Heres what i recommend then.. I will take a handful of .308 cases and make .243s from them and take pics and post them here. You do the same, and we will both only use a .243 FL DIE. Of course annealing is allowed. Im curious to see if we get the same results. Unless youre performing a step youre not mentioning i cant see it not having a deformed shoulder. Ive tried it repeatedly just for giggles.

And ill ignore the snide comments in your second paragraph for now.. It is not my intention to gain your approval as to whether or not i am qualified to reload.

[JLA]

Just did 5, and to make sure it was clear I set the cam on Macro. Note the wrinkle in the shouler of the 'formed' .243 cases that is precisely where the base of the .308 neck was.. My fear here, is a separation resulting in a hard to remove neck portion stuck in your chamber... Will it iron out during fireforming? Maybe.. probably.. but again the .308 and the .243 are both readily available and very common so my argument goes back to WHY BOTHER, other than just for giggles.

Note on the brass.. Both the .243s pictured and the 5 .308s pictured are Hornady match brass fired in match chambers and have been annealed and trimmed on every cycle since new.

Your turn Tango..

That is why you don't load full power loads and you load towards the bottom end and fire form them. Like I said I never had a problem.

Then again I don't use Hornady brass I found it too soft and didn't last as long as Remington. I have now switch all my 308 loads to Laupa brass.

[soundguy]

JLA are those LEE dies. looks like i saw a dipper.. and a clear plastic top under the yellow tray?

I have some lyman dies in yellow boxes like rcbs.. but all my LEE dies are red clear plastic.. or red plastic trays with clear covers.

thanks

[JLA]

yessir. My LEE .243 set is the only yellow box set i have.

[soundguy]

wow.. have never seen yellow boxed lee's

[JLA]

Comes in the new Deluxe collet die sets. I bought this set last sprig when i finished the Remage build.

[soundguy]

AHH.. so yes.. I have heard of them. i just don't have any.. I tend to be a bottom feeder on stuff. IE.. cheaper via used sets.. etc..

[Killcreek]

This is an interesting discussion. I have .243, .308, and I load for each and theoretically it would be possible to form one from the other if I just HAD to, but, when brass is so available and cheap, I dont see the logic in taking the chance. In a survival mode, sure. I'd not hesitate, but when brass is available in any gunshop by the plastic bag full at 30 to 50 cents per case, it just seems more logical to get the proper brass with the proper head stamp and not take the chance.

[soundguy]

looks like you could do 3006 from 270....

[JLA]

you can, and vice versa. and those dont have the ugly ring shoulder problem like i posted above because they have similar shoulder/neck amounts.

[soundguy]

don;t have my paper her ein front of me.. but as I recall.. 270 is a few taller than 3006.. and otherwise.. you got the neck diamater.. etc.. seems it could be formed and trimmed without much fuss ( if you needed to )

[Killcreek]

Usually that shoulder ring disappears after you fire them once.