Calling advanced reloaders... Ackley question

[interlock]

ok guys, you have never let me down in the past, now, once again, it is your chance to impress.

I am just buying a krieger .243 AI barrel (i have got this at a mega knockdown rate, being a man of modest means).

I am looking for some reloading kit for it. I have standard 243 dies. I wrote to lee asking if they made them. They told me thier standard collet dies would neck size no problem. so if i get a collet die can i then seat using a standard 243 seating die.


When I seat by bullets I leave a gap between shell holder and base of the die because I do not crimp. Would it be possible to seat bullets using standard 243 win dies?

I understand that the cases will remain neck sized only and not full length (as I would normally prefer in a hunting round) if I use this method. but as you say the neck to shoulder junction remains the same… but the shoulder to body walls is moved forward and the walls are straighter. Maybe that difference will be made up with the gap to between shell holder and die?

Thanks again,

interlock

 

[kelbro]

Depends on the seating die. Some are more 'open' at the base, some are tight.

 

[Steve Marshall]

It really depends on the shoulder diameter. AI's remove much of the taper and change the angle, but there isn't a huge amount of taper in the .243 to start. That, coupled with the more or less sloppy tolerances of a seating die in the shoulder area makes me believe you will be able to. What I would do is loosen the lock ring, back the die out 2 or 3 turns, run a cartridge up and then turn the die back in until it contacts the cartridge then back the die up say 1/2 turn. Pretty much what I do with any seating die. Good luck.

 

[MMCSRET]

You shouldn't have any trouble; adjusting should allow you to use a standard seating die. That said; take a look at a Hornady 243/6MM seating die, they use the same die for all cartridges that seat a 243/6MM bullet, adjustment is the key. I bought Hornady seating dies for most of the calibers I load. For instance: I seat 25-20 and 256 Winchester Magnum in the same seating die I seat bullets for 25-06 and 257 Weatherby, in between ,I seat 250 Savage and 25-35. Great design die system, take a look at it, I think you will be pleased.

 

[Offfhand]

Interlock, what you want is a Vickerman seating die. Sadly, they are no longer made but there are plenty of them around as I often see them for sale. Check with ebay, your shooting buddies, gun shows, etc. and you may luck up on one in 6mm, which will be perfect for your AI. Also try the vintage reloading forum. The vickerman seating dies are beautifully made, precisely accurate, easy to use and adaptable. Attaching a photo so you'll know what you're looking for.
Shoot well, safely and often...
Offfhand

 

[Strongbad]

Why not just call RCBS and order a set? They'll probably have a full set in stock. I know they'll be a tad more expensive, but they'll be right.

 

[avan47]

Try it and see. I bet it will work. Ackley knew a thing or two about cartridge design. One of the advantages of his designs is very little case stretching. They were designed to be neck sized only, and brass life should be improved. When you have a batch of hunting ammo loaded, you should take it to the range, and cycle all ammo you intend to hunt with through the action into the chamber to make sure they all chamber and eject from your rifle with out problems. This eliminates any concern about using neck sized ammo for hunting. All hunters who use reloaded ammo for hunting should do this. Another advantage of Ackley's designs is that your rifle should shoot factory ammo which will, of course, be fire formed to AI.