Here is what I was thinking of ordering. Forester micro seater, lee collet die and redding body die. Does that sound like a good way to go or should I just order the Lee deluxe rifle 3 die set that comes with a seater, collet die and a full length sizing die and save about $60?
Help me select .243 dies.
- Thread starter encoreguy
- Start date
- Nov 4, 2004
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encoreguy
Welcome to the forum!
If you are using a factory chambered rifle, I would go with the Lee or RCBS dies and save the extra money.
I have used RCBS for over 30 years and have not had any issues with their products. I recently had a case break off in my 6.5JDJ resizing die and sent it back to to RCBS. They are going to remove the brass, polish the inside of the die and replace the expander ball. All at no cost, under warrenty! Tough to beat that deal. :grin:
I do have a few Hornady Horizion dies, but I perfer the RCBS.
Something to think about.
JD338
Welcome to the forum!
If you are using a factory chambered rifle, I would go with the Lee or RCBS dies and save the extra money.
I have used RCBS for over 30 years and have not had any issues with their products. I recently had a case break off in my 6.5JDJ resizing die and sent it back to to RCBS. They are going to remove the brass, polish the inside of the die and replace the expander ball. All at no cost, under warrenty! Tough to beat that deal. :grin:
I do have a few Hornady Horizion dies, but I perfer the RCBS.
Something to think about.
JD338
The Lee Collet Die is an excellent die. It produces very very little bullet runout. Couple that with the Redding body die and you will be able to produce some of the most concentric rounds possible. As for the seater I would skip the "Micro" seater and go with the Forster Bench Rest Seater and save a few bucks.
The set you described is the way to go. I have exactly that for my 25-06 and 243 Winchester. I wish I could get the same combo for my 221 Fireball but the LEE and Forster dies are not available. It makes a difference, especially if you shoot the same gun a lot. IMO even with a straight factory rifle (which is what mine are) you do better with the specialty dies. Where you get the biggest bang for the buck in accuracy is bullet selection/seating depth followed by fine tuning the powder selection/charge wieght and third, primer selection. You will use the LEE collet die and Forster Ultra Seat die the most with your fire-formed brass but when you have to bump the shoulder back the Redding Body Die is the best way to control the sizing step. I would also suggest a flash hole uniformer, you will be surprised at the amount of metal you cut from the flash hole inside the case with just with a light dressing. A primer pocket uniforer is over rated for its usefulness. You can get too aggressive with the tool and end up throwing away a lot of brass (that's the voice of experience talking). I also like the LEE Case Length Gage and Ball Handle Cutter for trimming brass. You simply can't screw it up and it forces you to handle and inspect each case.
Go for it! Let us know how you make out.
Go for it! Let us know how you make out.
You might also share the load you're trying for your 243. I've had excellent results with IMR 7828, H4831SC, and Retumbo. Of the three, I like Retumbo the best with 100 and 105 grain bullets. My lightest load uses 85 grain bullets and H4831. I still in load development with a 70 grain TNT. For whatever reason, my gun does not like bullets lighter than 70 grains.
flashhole":1btn9kfr said:
It might be your barrel's twist rate. Some guns are rated for the shorter,lighter bullets and some for the opposite.I have noticed that most "varmit guns" chambered in .243 like the lighter ones,and the opposite for "regular" rifles.
For my SPS .243 I shoot the 100gr Partitions.Good,accurate load with plenty of knock down power for these Eastern Nebraskan whitetails. :wink:
Also for the original question,I would just buy the RCBS FL 2 die set and call it good.They seem to be about the best "bang for your buck" out there when it comes to dies.
Tim
Hey Flashhole, You are correct the Lee Collet die is not available. The Redding body die and the Forster Micro Seater are available in 221 Fireball.
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/br ... ***8344***
Not real tickled with the runout I was getting in my 221 Fireball with my RCBS FL dies I needed a change. Not being able to get a Lee Collet Die without going custom I went with the basic Forster Bench Rest 2 Die set. WOW, nice stuff. I believe that this 2 die set produces concentric brass amost as good as my Lee Collet and Redding Body die set-ups. Not a bad price either.
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/br ... ***8344***
Not real tickled with the runout I was getting in my 221 Fireball with my RCBS FL dies I needed a change. Not being able to get a Lee Collet Die without going custom I went with the basic Forster Bench Rest 2 Die set. WOW, nice stuff. I believe that this 2 die set produces concentric brass amost as good as my Lee Collet and Redding Body die set-ups. Not a bad price either.
- Thread starter
- #8
My current gun is a 1 in 10 twist so I will start with 87 grain V-Maxes and 90 grain Bergers. I want the highest b.c I can get to shoot well. Now I just need to get my reloading bench built or bought and I am ready to go. I can't wait to get started "rolling my own". :grin:
YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
- 1,602
- 0
The 87-vmax shoots par excellent in my 1:10 with 42.5 grains of IMR-4350. Good luck to you in your loading and testing. I think you will be very happy!
YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
- 1,602
- 0
FWIW...I'm using Redding FL dies and a RCBS neck sizer. I belive i can group 5 shots at a hundred inside the size of my pinky fingernail off my benchmark shooting rest.
