243 wssm load powder

[sniper_506]

I have bought some winchester 243wssm cartridges, they are 100gr power point, i don't know what kind of power they use to load it, but i know there is 45gr of some round flat power, it must be flake, and my question is about that.

I went to fired this bullet, but they were hot load, aftr every shot, i had big trouble to open the bolt, and when i try to relaod them the casing was not resizable because even if i full resize them they could not fit in my chamber, it was still very hard to close the bolt, since the base of the casing had, i don't know how to say that but, it's like inflate, and the die don't rezise that part. so for the rest of what i had left of the cartridge, i took of the bullet and retrieve some power out of it, actually i did 3 different load, like i took 5gr, 4gr and 3 gr out of it. So now instead of having a 45gr load, i have 40gr, 41gr and 42gr, i look through the winchester loading data for the 243 wssm and found that they had hybrid 100v, h4831 and imr power that use that amount, but non are flake powder and the other data are not close to that load i have, so do you think it is safe to fired this new round the way i loaded it, because i guess it safer to have less powder than too much, until you still in the range of safety pressure.

 

[rcmodel]

Your .243 Wizz'm is loaded with ball powder, or more properly, "flattened spherical" powder.

As a general rule, reducing the powder charge in over-bore Magnum class cartridges such as you have is dangerous.
And without pressure test data there is no way of knowing what point the reduced load might become so.

Winchester/Hodgdon has just released Supreme-780 powder which they supposedly use in many of their factory loads in calibers in your class.

With a 100 grain bullet they show 47.0 grain starting load as giving 52,300 PSI.
The max load is 50.0 grains at 60,100 PSI, and that's a lot!

I am still not convinced your problem is related to the FL die not being able to size the case at the base. I think with proper die adjustment, it will either resize it, or your press will die trying!

rcmodel

 

[sniper_506]

i understand rcmodel, but on the reloading data from where you took info, the load is not the same, so i cannot use it, i have 45gr, so it's 2gr less than the starting load, like i said it's ammo that i bought to a store, i didn't relaoded it, only after i saw it was hot load i change the load, but still waiting to have infos that will tell me if i can or not to fired them, otherwise maybe the best way will be to tgrow the power away and reloaded it with what i have for powder and nowing the right load.

 

[rcmodel]

I just don't know what to tell you.

You shouldn't ever have to dump some powder out of a factory load to get the bolt to open!

What kind of rifle is it?
What brand of factory ammo?

Has the rifle action been cleaned and the bolt lugs & cocking cam greased?

rcmodel

 

[sniper_506]

the rifle is a browning stalker, i cleaned it very good when i took of the box before go firing with, the ammo is winchester with 100gr power point in brass casing, i weight the powder and there was 45gr of ball flat powder. i have bought 4 box of that ammo and 1 box of winchester with ballistic silver tip in nickel casing, these did a better job there where a little bit hard to remove from the chamber but not as the brass casing. I saw they had a little bulge on the head, i saw that and realise a fter i fired 1 box and half, so i that point for me it was hot load or should i say way too much, because from what i know, the head of the casing should never move or get bulge, unless it's hot load. So what i wanted to do is take some powder off the cartridge and make sure i still in the range of security and the pressure, so i can fire this bullet without problem. But my other option was to simply remove all the power and reloaded it with powder that i know, because we can say much about the powder into factory cartridge, but we don't know which one they use, since many powder look the same but don't act the same. I can tell you there is o fun to fired that kind of ammo, and for sure keeping firing that ammo may break something on the rifle

 

[NCsmitty]

Something isn't right here it seems to me. Factory loads should not be causing these problems. I know that the WSSM series of cartridges are high intensity rounds running high pressures but should not be causing a "bulge" in the case. Does anyone know if this ammo has perhaps been recalled by the factory? Someone knowledgeable should look at this situation and check your rifle and fired ammo.

NCsmitty

 

[sniper_506]

when i say a bulge, it's not that big, i want only to say that part as expend and because of that it's hard to open the bolt or even after i fl resize it's still not going in easily, my die is set-up correctly, but the hot load of the ammo might have kill that casing for a new reloading

 

[243winxb]

Sniper 506, I would empty 5 rounds of factory ammo and reload them with a starting load of your own powder. Do NOT use factory powder. Shoot them in your rifle. Come home and try to reload the 5 fired rounds. See what happens. I have seen reloaded ammo sold as new factory ammo. Was the ammo purchased at a well trusted sporting goods store?

 

[sniper_506]

243winxb,
i did pucharse to a good store, the casing fit good in my weapon before i fired them because i wanted to see how they fir after firing...that's where it all begin. I was thinkig about that too reloading with my own powder, but that is a waste of powder since i pay them 40$ canadian dollard for winchester 100gr power point. Anyway i think this way i will save the casing and maybe save my weapon of other kind of trouble it would bring me, and most of all it will be more safety.
Thank to all for your information.

 

[cpttango30]

You need to stop right where you're at.

Call the ammunition manufacture and explain to them what is happening in your rifle. They should offer you a refund and they may want you to send them the unfired cartridges.

I would not unload them or anything. Then take your rifle to get checked out by a good gunsmith have the head space checked and have an overall look over done. Just to make sure it is the ammo and not your rifle.

Lemons can happen in guns and ammo.

 

[gasboy55]

243 wssm???

I am a little concerned about your situation as well. I don't know anything about your knowledge of guns, but to the best of my knowledge Browning doesn't offer a 243 WSSM rifle. Let me know if I am wrong.

Thanks, Kevin

 

[243winxb]

http://www.browning.com/library/infonews/detail.asp?ID=37 Jan. 1, 2003 Browning A-Bolt rifles in 223 WSSM and 243 WSSM will be available in Hunter, Classic Hunter, Stainless Stalker, Varmint Stalker, Composite Stalker, and Medallion.

 

[asudiver]

I need some advice

I have a winchester model 70 in 243wssm. I am using lee dies. After full sizing I cannot chamber a round. I have the dies adjusted and never had this happen. Any suggestions? I am using a lyman accupress. The bolt almost closes but cannot. thanks

 

[NCsmitty]

asudiver, when you resize the case, make sure the die base touches the shell holder with the case in position in the die. That way you know that the case has been sized fully. Inspect the case neck to see if the neck has been sized back to the shoulder properly. Then try the empty case in the rifle for fit. IF that does not do it, let us know.

NCsmitty

 

[asudiver]

Oh this is frustrating. Putting it up for the night. Decapping pin broke. I'm using RCBS dies. I made sure base touches the shell holder. Sized two and both do not function in rifle. I have reloaded 243 win, 30-30, 30-06, 308, 223 rem and never had this happen. Any suggestions I will gladly try them. thanks

 

[NCsmitty]

Did you have the decapper/sizer rod too far down when you attempted to size the case. Do you have unfired case to compare the sized case with for measurements?

I made sure base touches the shell holder.

With the case in the die?
Long shot, but perhaps the rifle has tight chamber/headspace? Type of rifle?
Can you post pictures of the sizing?

NCsmitty

 

[asudiver]

Out of resizing 25 about 8 did not chamber. I have a model 70 super shawdow. I have about 100 rounds through it. I will have to order another decapper. The base was touching without the case in the shell holder. I will readjust with a case in the shell holder and try again. I'm using Frankford Arsenal pump case lube. rcbs dies and an accu press (small orange one) from Lyman which actually works good. I have it bench mounted. It doesn't move on the stand. I will have to take some pictures after getting it fixed. I'm sure I will post some more later. I appreciate your help. Sometimes I wonder if I should of stuck with my 243 win. It did everything I needed it too.

 

[NCsmitty]

Sometimes I wonder if I should of stuck with my 243 win. It did everything I needed it too.

I hear ya, but I can nearly guarantee that if you resize the case and have the die kiss the shell holder, the cases will fit. The rule of thumb is to have the die touch the shell holder without a case then screw the die in from 1/8 to 1/4 turn and lock it. You really do not have to decap the case to check the case fit for now.

NCsmitty

 

[asudiver]

NCsmitty

Thank you. I double checked die and it was just touching shellholder without a case, so I screwed it in a further 1/4 turn and locked it down. Cases were already deprimed, but re-resized them and they fit in chamber with the bolt closed! Sometimes it helps to be reminded of the basics. This rifle chamber appears to be very tight. Also I called RCBS and told them what I did. They are sending me a new rod and ball assembly. What service to you and them.