Can I use my 308win shoulder bump die on 243win brass

[mao0720]

I use a Lee collet neck die and redding body/ shoulder bump die for my 308 FTR rifle. I just got a 243 Lee collet die for my practical precision rifle to fix some issues with the f/l sizer I was using. My question is, can use my 308 body/ shoulder bump die on my 243 brass to push the shoulder back and size the body, or will I run into issues?

 

[dmoran]

The 243 is 1.804" to the shoulder/neck junction.
The 308 is 1.712" to the shoulder/neck junction.

By the way, Body Die's are not referred to as Bump Dies. A Bump Die is altogether different.
Both will bump the shoulder back, but yours (body die) sizes the entire body at the same time as the shoulder, and a Bump Die only bumps the shoulder.
Donovan

 

[fguffey]

fix some issues with the f/l sizer I was using.

I do not have dies that have issues. When forming cases it is possible to size a case with two different shoulder heights or 2 shoulders for fire forming.

F. Guffey

 

[Brians356]

The bodies of 308 Win and 243 Win are identical between the base and body/shoulder junction, as are the 20-degree shoulders. Since the neck diameter of the 243 is smaller, its shoulder simply extends slightly longer to the neck junction than the 308's. If you size a 243 with a 308 body die, the larger neck hole in the die it will not reach the shoulder/neck junction, and will make a step in the shoulder. You'll still be able to chamber it with some resistance, and when fired the step will disappear. However, you are introducing a seam of extra work hardening at the step. Personally, I would spend the $30 and get a proper 243 body die.

 

[CatShooter]

I use a Lee collet neck die and redding body/ shoulder bump die for my 308 FTR rifle. I just got a 243 Lee collet die for my practical precision rifle to fix some issues with the f/l sizer I was using. My question is, can use my 308 body/ shoulder bump die on my 243 brass to push the shoulder back and size the body, or will I run into issues?

Yes. It is simple.

The bodies and shoulders are identical, within tolerances (except for the neck/shoulder junction, cuz the 243 neck is smaller).

 

[fguffey]

Mason O, I have been using shoulder/body sizing die before there were shoulder/body sizing dies.

The 8mm06 works with the 30/06, the 338/06 works for the 8mm06. There are case forming dies that work when forming other cases. The best forming die is the 308 W, next is the 243 W forming die. Then there are magnum forming dies, my favorite is a forming die for an unpopular chamber. Without it the failure rate goes up when creasing, crushing or folding shoulders and case bodies.

F. Guffey

 

[hogan]

Redding Type S dies are very versatile for use in family-type ctgs which are necked-up/down. I use a .30-06 FL die for .338-06 and have done likewise with Forster die-body seaters, just reaming a .30-06 die-body to take .338 seating stem. As long as standard fired case neck will FL transit the type S die, you can use whatever bushing you wish.

.308win family is entirely the same, aside from neck diameter. Obviously, not talking AI case shoulders, but I did once take a .243AI Type S FL die, and ream it to size .308win AI. Worked fine, just a bit more expensive as was a special series die. I also shoot a .338/300win mag and use a .300win S/FL die to size those cases. Was the first S die I used for wildcatting.

Want to blow your mind even further? Try a generic seater. Not like a seater has to perfectly conform to ctg body dimensions to work just fine. What matters is neck. Any 7mm or .30cal seater will provide the neck support and bullet seat transport. Your case is held in the shellholder, but not like it wobbles once bullet has entered case mouth.

Really only need one die to handle all the chores. Surprised no one has adapted a seating stem to the type S series, or offered .0005" dimensioned sizing balls. The tapered sizers are nice to work with for reducing diameter since there is much less area to reduce, but $13 ea is spendy. Nobody offers collet sets of varying diameter for the Lee die either... But you can buy all sorts of other, essentially useless crap like $40 micrometer heads to convert already fine seaters to "precision"....

If you can contain your natural shooter's exuberance for embracing the newest & best ctg du jour, and standardize on .30-06 and .308win family cases, you can save a lot of money on brass and loading tools. That, to me, is a Good Thing! Especially, since you compromise nothing in pursuit of precision ammunition.

 

[Brians356]

The bodies and shoulders are identical, within tolerances (except for the neck/shoulder junction, cuz the 243 neck is smaller).

And therein lies the rub (or lack of rub, as it were, as we're about to see):

The neck opening in a Redding 308 Win body die will be ~.347 ID, allowing about .004" clearance over a fired case's neck OD. This neck opening will contact a 243 Win shoulder near the midpoint or lower**on the shoulder's slope. (To the OP, if you don't believe this, take one of your 243 cases and insert the neck into the neck opening of your 308 body die, if you haven't already tried it, and get back to us.)

So then, Mason O, you've got to ask yourself a question: Do you want to set back the shoulders on your 243 cases using a die that only engages the lower half of those shoulders? "Well, do ya?" (A hat tip to Dirty Harry.)

I think the answer should be obvious to all, but obviously I'm an optimist. 8)

** Lower = towards the case head

 

[bigedp51]

I learned two things from this posting...........

1. We have more forum members of Polish decent than I thought.

2. brians356 had a Vulcan father and learned to use pure logic.

The .243 below with a .308 shoulder bump reminds me of the step pyramids of giza. :

I'm going to have to change someones screen name name to "The Big CatShooter Lebowski . (The Dude)
(and don't tell me its not logical CatShooter)

"Live long and prosper with your false shoulders"

 

[Brians356]

2. brians356 had a Vulcan father and learned to use pure logic.

I take that as a very high compliment. Thank you.

 

[Brians356]

I learned two things from this posting...........

1. We have more forum members of Polish decent than I thought.

But did you know a Pole invented the toilet seat? Fact. **









** Later, an Englishman improved it slightly by adding the hole in the middle.