.243 win question

[ammopoor]

Hey there I was hoping someone could give me some ideas with an issue I have. I have a remington 700 that was once a 22-250 and since has been rebarreled for a 243 and I'm assuming all the work that would make this conversion operate. I'm loading a sierra 107 hpbt in front of 40.gr of imr4350 in winchester new cases. They produce nice groups with no extraction issues, but then the problem arises. Once cases have been cleaned and reloaded to same specs either the round is difficult to chamber and or once fired the case becomes lodged. I have trimmed if needed, I'm using forester bench rest dies adjusted to forester's specs, and have an oal of 2.750. I have measured a never fired case agaisnt once fired the only difference I can find is at the shoulder of the case new one is 0.446-0.447 to the once fired 0.453-0.454. Is this enough to cause issue? I'm trying to rule out reloads and then move to gun issues unless someone has ideas. Ive ordered new dies to rule out the forester dies but like most stuff its all 3-6 weeks out. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[243winxb]

Try some factory ammo. Make sure the shell holder is in contact with the bottom of the full length die when sizing a case at the top of the press stroke. Measurements can be checked here. http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Rifle/243%20Winchester.pdf The COL is a little long per SAAMI, but if it fits the magazine, not a problem, unless bullet is jammed into the rifling.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Pull the bullet out of one of the cases that don't chamber and try the empty case. If the empty case chambers then press a bullet in it at about .020 shorter OAL and try to chamber it again.

I don't know what kind of barrel you had put on your 700 or who put it on but it may have a shorter bullet leade than normal which is putting your bullet into the riflings at the OAL your using.

I usually bump the shoulder back a few thousands when I resize it also.

 

[243winxb]

I'm loading a sierra 107 hpbt in front of 40.gr of imr4350 in winchester new cases.

39.8 gr is maximum on the Hodgdon website with that bullet. If your new to reloading, you might be missing some pressure signs?

 

[ammopoor]

thanks for the hits. i was talking to a local guy and he suggested headspace issues. I can chamber a never fired piece of brass like butter but once fired they are too tight. Again the sierra manual states 40.8 as max with imr 4350 so im under max, plus primers look great no bulging or rounded perimeter on primers. I believe I cant get the fls die adjusted right. On a forester coax press you dont use shell holders it has an universal holder. I have taken die at full pull all the way down until it just touches shell holder as instructions state. I even then added 1/8-1/4 turn. Then I adjusted expander ball and to be honest no matter how I adjust the expander I cant get it to change one thing. In frustration I'm going to get different dies. I know reloading is a learning curve but there are so many variables. Thanks again especially for being patient.

 

[boommer]

CALL Forester and explain this to them, (Call) don't E -mail, they will take care of you! But before you do that make sure your good on length and not driving bullet into the bore. Cartridge over all length can change with the metplate of the bullet.

 

[jjjitters]

I've had to turn about .03"-.05" off the bottom of many rifle dies in order to get the shoulders bumped back enough to chamber. I re-radius the inside corner then but with a smaller one. That what is going on with yours, you have a short chamber, which is a good thing but it will require you to modify the bottom of your die. It doesn't hurt anything or make the rounds "dangerous".
For some reason .243 is the most common caliber I've run into this. I know of 3 Savage 110's that are short chambered, they shoot pretty good.

 

[Skyshot]

Agree with above poster, I found an older set of RCBS full length dies that bump the should back good enough for my tight Savage.

 

[243winxb]

forester bench rest dies

no matter how I adjust the expander I cant get it to change one thing.

NOTICE
As the case is sized, the "E-Z" Out Expander Ball will be
located near the neck of the case. When the case is
withdrawn from the die, most of the neck is still in the neck
sizing portion of the die, keeping the axis of the neck and
case in alignment. You will barely feel the effort required to
draw the "E-Z" Out Expander Ball through the case neck.
Do not position the "E-Z" Out Expander Ball too high. This
may crush the case neck and may damage the
Decapping/Expander Assembly. Refer to Fig. 2 for proper
"E-Z" Out Expander Ball positioning. This will ensure that
the "E-Z" Out Expander Ball is situated as co-axially as
possible with the case neck.

Instructions > http://forsterproducts.com/client_images/catalog19938/pages/files/Full_Length_Sizing_Die_Instructions.pdf Some of Forester dies need a bushing to size the neck.