I Hate Clearance Labels...

[berettaprofessor]

...because I can't pass them up. I was in Academy today and noticed a number of RCBS dies on clearance. Among which was a two-die set of RCBS small base 223 dies marked from $49.99 to $34.99. Now, I normally use a Lee full-length sizer on my 223 reloads for AR, and haven't had trouble, but I've read enough that I thought "why not have a set on hand just in case?" So I purchased them. It's like having a savings account without interest, right? (not that any savings account earns much anyway these days). Don't know when or if I'll ever use them though and wouldn't have purchased if I hadn't seen them on "clearance."

Best news however, is that when I went to the counter, they rang up as $29.99! That's the second time recently I've purchased in Academy and found the price on the shelf was higher than the register price.

Now the big question; they also had a set of RCBS small base 243 Win dies on clearance. Should I go back for them? I have a Remmy 700 in 243 that I reload for (again, Lee dies), and the first time I used the full-length sizer I got several rounds that wouldn't close the bolt. After that, I've been neck sizing fired rounds and it's been fine, but I wonder.....

 

[cfullgraf]

If you are neck sizing, there will come a time that you will need to full length size the case. Over a number of reloads, the case grows such that it will not fit well even in the chamber it was fired in. The full length sizer will bring the case back to near spec.

I'm surprised you are having trouble with your Lee 243 Win full length sizer die. I'm not a big fan of Lee dies but they usually work as advertised.

 

[troy fairweather]

...because I can't pass them up. I was in Academy today and noticed a number of RCBS dies on clearance. Among which was a two-die set of RCBS small base 223 dies marked from $49.99 to $34.99. Now, I normally use a Lee full-length sizer on my 223 reloads for AR, and haven't had trouble, but I've read enough that I thought "why not have a set on hand just in case?" So I purchased them. It's like having a savings account without interest, right? (not that any savings account earns much anyway these days). Don't know when or if I'll ever use them though and wouldn't have purchased if I hadn't seen them on "clearance."

Best news however, is that when I went to the counter, they rang up as $29.99! That's the second time recently I've purchased in Academy and found the price on the shelf was higher than the register price.

Now the big question; they also had a set of RCBS small base 243 Win dies on clearance. Should I go back for them? I have a Remmy 700 in 243 that I reload for (again, Lee dies), and the first time I used the full-length sizer I got several rounds that wouldn't close the bolt. After that, I've been neck sizing fired rounds and it's been fine, but I wonder.....

sounds like the die was not down all the way. your chamber maybe tight in the head space to if so grind some metal of the lee die. all lee dies are basically small base dies. check your case length to sometimes lee calls for the case to be little shorter them what some books say.

 

[jmr40]

My daddy always said, " A fellow can go broke trying to saving money".

Two years ago I was looking for some compact binoculars in an Academy. I just happened to look behind the glass under the binocular display and saw a box of these with the words "Clearance" on them.

https://swfa.com/steiner-8x22-predator-binocular.html

They didn't even have a pair on display to look at. I got a clerk to open the case so I could look at them. But the only price on them was $179. I asked about the clearance price so he rang it up at $35. I couldn't believe that was accurate, but when the store manager confirmed it was so I told them I'd take all of them. It ended up being 6 pair.

To be honest they ain't worth anywhere near $179. These are OK binoculars at best, but are much better than anything else in the $35 price range. Better than most anything that small at $100. I'd never suggest anyone pay $179 for these. But I kept a pair for myself and 3 others were boxed up as Christmas gifts. I still have 2 NIB that will be a present to someone eventually.

 

[WestKentucky]

I always have the guy at the gun counter price check clearance items I’m interested in. Almost missed out on some cheap Tula primers once...got 4 or 5 flats at 1.97 price as marked and they rang up like .97 each. I bought like 25 flats. It was only small rifle, but that’s fine. I don’t shoot a lot of small rifle primers, but at 1/3 normal price I bought probably a 3 year supply at that points usage...now it’s more like a decade since the kiddos are slowing me down.

I need to price check their little rifles...

 

[berettaprofessor]

sounds like the die was not down all the way.

I agree that’s likely the cause. 243 was the first bottleneck I attempted to reload when I first learned and although I measured them carefully with calipers, it was long before I purchased my first cartridge gauge or learned to check a cartridge in the chamber.

Is it true that Lee dies are in essence small base dies? I’d never heard that before. Are they good enough to convert 308 brass to 243?

 

[troy fairweather]

I agree that’s likely the cause. 243 was the first bottleneck I attempted to reload when I first learned and although I measured them carefully with calipers, it was long before I purchased my first cartridge gauge or learned to check a cartridge in the chamber.

Is it true that Lee dies are in essence small base dies? I’d never heard that before. Are they good enough to convert 308 brass to 243?

the lee die was better in a ar10 i had years ago then slandered rcbs dies. ive read in one off lees books about the dies being small base. i did about 500 mili 308s to 243 with lee dies 5 or 6 years ago just run them in and fire form be just fine. on some of the newer lee dies with the vent hole it may scratch the brass u can fix by ether taking the small burr from the hole kinda hard. or take out the expander/dicaper then run them in and replace it and run them one more time. i have made may 8x57 with lee dies well over 1000 works fine. i use lee lube if i run out i use kiwi shoe polish.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Now the big question; they also had a set of RCBS small base 243 Win dies on clearance. Should I go back for them? I have a Remmy 700 in 243 that I reload for (again, Lee dies), and the first time I used the full-length sizer I got several rounds that wouldn't close the bolt. After that, I've been neck sizing fired rounds and it's been fine, but I wonder.....

I have no idea why RCBS even bothers to make a small base .243 set of dies. I can't imagine needing them. As for the first time you did a full length sizing, your die must have been improperly adjusted, it's not the die's fault, it's more than likely user error.

Instead of buying a set of dies you don't need but a Wilson case gauge to aid in adjusting your full length sizing die correctly and it will be money well spent IMO.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016251573/le-wilson-case-length-headspace-gauge

 

[berettaprofessor]

Yes, Archangel, I have case gauges for every rifle caliber I reload now, mostly Wilson, one Hodgdon. Experience is a great teacher! Thanks for the info, Troy.