convert 223 WSSM Brass to 243 WSSM Brass - Is it possible???

slugger

slugger

New member
Well is it?

My cousin sold his .223 WSSM and has lots of brass just sitting around. He has tried to sell it, but it just isn't moving.

I have a .243 WSSM and could always use some additional brass.

So... is it possible to run the .223 Brass through the .243 "sizer" die and then load it up with .243 goodies.

Will this stretch the case mouth too much and cause cracks or?
Has anyone done this? If so, what steps did you take?

Thanks!
 
If its just the neck that will be resized it should be no issue. Its like sizing .223 brass to 6x45 (.223x6mm) brass by opening the neck with a tapered neck decapper pin.
Is the .223wssm case the same length, shoulder/body the same?
 
yes, the "base" cases are the same all the way around.

Do you know if the tapered neck decapper pins are standard on most dies or something I would need to purchase?

Thanks for the input!
 
The .223 wssm brass can easily be sized to .243WSSM. I took some .243wssm brass and sized it to .25wssm and it was very easy.

There are a couple different types of decapping pins. Make sure to get theones that fit your brand of dies.
 
I did it for a friend way back in '08 I believe, no issues to report... makes sense in you have a 223 wssm build with a tighter neck...
 
Originally Posted By: sluggerDo you know if the tapered neck decapper pins are standard on most dies or something I would need to purchase?
Redding dies have the tapered neck decapper in the FL set.
Others use as stated above with just an expander die.
RCBS uses a fat ball in thier dies....dont use that style.
Hornadey new dimension uses tha taper neck sizer also from what I have see.
 
Crap! I would have the RCBS dies!

I have a ton of .223 brass, I might just try a few of those through the dies to see how well the expander will work.

Wish me luck..
 
Originally Posted By: sluggerCrap! I would have the RCBS dies!

I have a ton of .223 brass, I might just try a few of those through the dies to see how well the expander will work.

Wish me luck..



ok, I'm back and the .223's seemed to work great! I could easily slide a .224 bullet into the case, but the .243 would have required some force.

I think if I use lots of lube and go slowly it will work ok with the RCBS dies.

Thanks!
 
Originally Posted By: pahntr760Don't use too much lube. Plus, you can just buy a new expander ball. Here are some, they're down by the bottom. Just get the "tapered".

Tapper Ball

For the $9 I'll just order one of these. I also got to thinking last night that using the current RCBS setup should I be worried that I would be pushing the shoulder down too much during the resizing? Am I just overthinking?
 
Back
Top