243 / 6mm

[Dogbite]

I did a search but didn't find a lot of info. Please be tolerant of my ignorance. I will be swapping out the barrel on my rifle in about another 1000 rounds or so - ((308) and going to .243 / 6mm)

I have quite a bit of 308 Winchester brass ++ 1000s

How feasible is it to neck down 308 Winchester brass to .243 / 6mm.
I am worried about the neck being concentric and not vary a lot. I'm pulling my reloading equipment out of mothballs and starting up again.
I realize people have been doing this for years but how much neck run out / thickness variation can I expect?

[pacrat]

When you take a bass tube/neck. With a .308" ID. And swage it down by .065". It is of course going to get thicker. Old school case forming, was to just run a neck reamer into the case.

Much more accurate/consistant/concentric thickness to "neck turn" cases after swaging.

I've made a lot of .243 cases from .308 LC brass. I use a Forester lathe type trimmer with neck turning tool and a cordless drill adapter.


JM2c

[MongooseV8]

Unless you have the spare time and the right tools, its not really worth it IMO. Just buy a couple boxes of Lapua 243 brass and that will last you for as long as your barrel has a throat left.

[Dogbite]

Thanks for the responses - I'll check into the Forester lathe combo.

MongooseV8 you are probably right. I haven't checked current pricing on 243 brass. I am frugal but time is also a major factor.

Thanks again

[Fjold]

Test one first. Usually factory chambers are so oversized that the necked down 308 case will work fine. I did it for years with 7.62X51 LC brass for a factory Savage 243 without ever having to ream the necks.

[MongooseV8]

PowderValleyInc has 243 Lapua brass for $94/100. Its excellent, I have a lot of Lapua brass with more than 20 loads through em.

[Dogbite]

Thanks - Looks like I'm going to Swage down my 308 brass and ream. It's gonna take a while to sort it. I do appreciate all the responses.
I'm going to take count of my hours. Might just be cheaper to buy. I'll find out. At least after my initial investment I can go either way if time constrains become a factor again.

[JagerDog]

Out of stock currently, but I bought same headstamp 1X .243 brass here for <$0.25.

http://www.centralcustombrass.com/Check-Out.html