Problems with new Hornady 243 dies purchased here

[Member 5605]

Well I was beginning to wonder if that was the case as I don't know why the brass would be too big or the diesame being too small.
I used a little more CLP (ok a bunch more) and then Powder Blast to rinse it out thoroughly. So far so good but much more force is needed than 223 cases.

CLP as case lube?

 

[Crohnos01]

ah, good..... make sure you clean the dies well.... also be ware of too much case lube on the cases. Too much and you will see pucker marks on the case shoulder.... too much is just as bad as too little..... it's the trial and error method..... emphasis on error

 

[Caveman Jim]

CLP as case lube?

No, for cleaning the dies.

 

[Gonzales]

.243 and .308 are same body, I've converted .243 to .308

Converting .308 to .243 would take a lot of force, no?

Can't you chamber .243 in a .308?

Then trying to resize the fire formed brass would be a ...

 

[Caveman Jim]

How far down was the expander button screwed? Don't have it screwed down too far.
Are you lubing the inside of the case mouth?

I leave 3/16" of the decapping pin protruding out of the bottom of the die. Yes, lubing the inside as well.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Is it possible that someone converted that brass to something else. For example 6.5 Creedmoor, etc?

If it all came out of your rifle, then check the markings on that barrel real close. Make sure it is really a .243. Maybe it got reamed for a .308 by mistake

This would be totally crazy though..

It is marked .243.

 

[Gonzales]

Do you have any .308 rounds? Or snap caps?

 

[Caveman Jim]

Jim, do you have a good sturdy bench and is your press mounted well to it? The reason people use compound leverage presses such as yours and mount them very securely to very strong benches is that a good amount of force/muscle is required to jam that case on up in there (giggity) and back out again.

My bench is my out feed table for my tablesaw, it's constructed of 2 inch solid core door supported but 4x4 & 2x6. Yep purtty darn sturdy.
this is the largest cartridge that I've tried to reload 223 is pretty doggone easy and I didn't want to force this one but once I got it clean properly and I was able to use a good bit of force to get them resized. Like I said before I just didn't want to get the damn thing stuck I'd rather ask first then get it stuck.... lol

 

[DirectDrive]

Be sure to clean out the inside of those cases (and primer pockets) really well.
And take a look at the Die Set-Up Instructions that I linked you a few posts back.


Also, I would try some this, applied per instructions.
Betcha it will smooth things out.

 

[Caveman Jim]

So the photo is of the case in the die as far as it would go on the press? You say you didn't want to force it, and I guess I am not sure what that means. Even a properly lubed case is going to take some force to push it into the die... you shouldn't have to stand on the handle to get it to go, but it is going to take a bit of oomph to size the case... I know you probably don't have a way of measuring force, but even with the mechanical advantage of the press lever, you should feel resistance to the down stroke on the handle.... Aye you just not pushing hard enough? It's so hard without being there to know what you're dealing with

Yeah, I guess I'm Mr. Burns at the press for 243 cases. Good lord I'm gonna have to go to the gym if I ever hope to load 30-06!!!!!

 

[Caveman Jim]

Do you have any .308 rounds? Or snap caps?

No I don't.

 

[scrandall01215]

Be sure to clean out the inside of those cases (and primer pockets) really well.
And take a look at the Die Set-Up Instructions that I linked you a few posts back.


Also, I would try some this, applied per instructions.
Betcha it will smooth things out.
View attachment 349094

Jim,
I use the Hornady one shot and it works really well and sometimes you have to use a lot of force. I have found each caliber has a different amount of force needed so it's kinda a trial and error kinda thing. But like you said it never hurts to ask first!

Stacy

 

[Caveman Jim]

ah, good..... make sure you clean the dies well.... also be ware of too much case lube on the cases. Too much and you will see pucker marks on the case shoulder.... too much is just as bad as too little..... it's the trial and error method..... emphasis on error

Yes sir, I got baptized on that with 223 once.... lol Thanks.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Be sure to clean out the inside of those cases (and primer pockets) really well.
And take a look at the Die Set-Up Instructions that I linked you a few posts back.


Also, I would try some this, applied per instructions.
Betcha it will smooth things out.
View attachment 349094

I've heard of the Lanolin & isopropyl alcohol mix that lasts a long time (millions of rounds). Lol

 

[Caveman Jim]

One thing I do know about being at the bench behind a press is getting comfortable. I do know that I am going to have a 8 inch Riser Mount made to mount my press higher. because just bending over that last two or three inches for the down stroke hurts my back... I'm thinking of hydraulics here.... lol not really but yeah if I continue aggravating my lower back anymore I'm gonna have to take up sofa sitting as my new hobby...

 

[KeepnitReel]

I use that reciepe. Works great and super cheap.

I've heard of the Lanolin & isopropyl alcohol mix that lasts a long time (millions of rounds). Lol

 

[KeepnitReel]

Im just as big of a noob as you when it comes to reloading, it took a buddy of mine that does massive reloading on a auto-drive 1050 to get comfortable behind my new 1050. Good luck buddy

 

[Caveman Jim]

I use that reciepe. Works great and super cheap.

I'm gonna do it too!!! I like to be economically challenged. More fishing & gun related stuff for me....

 

[KeepnitReel]

Ordered everything need from amazon to mix up the potion, that way I didn't have to feel weird strolling the breast feeding section at the drug store

 

[Certaindeaf]

One thing I do know about being at the bench behind a press is getting comfortable. I donly know that I am going to have a 8 inch Riser Mount made to mount my press higher. because just bending over that last two or three inches for the down stroke hurts my back... I'm thinking of hydraulics here.... lol not really but yeah if I continue aggravating my lower back anymore I'm gonna have to take up sofa sitting as my new hobby...

Or lower your chair.. if you're sitting. I sit.. but I have monkey triceps.. ooh ooh!