308 Lapua brass

yotehunter243

New member
So I am searching for brass to fireform for 243AI. I am obviously looking at Lapua and I noticed the 308 brass is almost half the price the 243 brass it. My question is, can I buy the 308 brass neck size it down to .243 then fireform it?
 
I shoot 308win and 243win Lapua brass. It is great brass and worth the money.

That 243win brass is costly.

I have found that Lapua brass is harder than most brass. I have never fire formed or reneck size.

You could try it, at worst you may have to anneal the front of the case.

I would buy the Lapua 243win brass and fire form it.

I get about 10-12 loads before they go in the scrap box.

Best of luck.
 
Originally Posted By: yotehunter243So I am searching for brass to fireform for 243AI. I am obviously looking at Lapua and I noticed the 308 brass is almost half the price the 243 brass it. My question is, can I buy the 308 brass neck size it down to .243 then fireform it?

I am sure it can be done, although you will probably have to
reduce the neck in a couple of steps, and then neck turn
the formed cases to remove some of the thickness. As an
example, form the 308 case, with a 260 Rem. die, then
with a 243 Win die, and then outside turn the thick necks,
down to your chamber neck dimensions, minus a thousandth
or two for unrestricted chamber insertion. Or just buy
the 243 Win brass.
grin.gif


FWIW, I was REALLY disappointed in my last batch of Lapua
308 Win. brass. The lack of consistency, weight wise, was
very atypical for Lapua. I probably won't pay their price
for the next batch of 308 Win brass. Hornady, and SSA, are
on the list to try next time.

Squeeze
 
Originally Posted By: willy1947I get about 10-12 loads before they go in the scrap box.



You must be punishing the brass. I have 40+ fireings on several Lapua cases. Just anneal & go again.


Look at powder valley. The difference is 21.91. Unless you are turning the necks anyway it's worth the extra $ for your time & troubles.
 
I use Rem 7/08 brass for my 243 AI. I neck turn at 7mm, neck down to 243 and set headspace, then turn necks again.

contrary to popular belief, the Remington brass shoots tiny bug holes.

If you were to neck down 308 brass to 243, you would have to do it in steps, then neck turn the brass.
 
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