308 reshaping to 243 win

[phishroy]

Hello.
I recently started to reload and I was told I can reshape a 308 win into a 243win. I have a lot of 308 brass around that I can use.
What would be the proper way of reshaping a 308 into a 243.
Is it just straight forward put a 308 in the 243 die and bamm….or is it a gradual step process of neck turning , shortening etc’ etc’??
What should I watch for in the reshaping steps?

Information appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[joe-nwt]

The .243 case is slightly longer (2.045) than the .308 (2.015). Your cases will be a bit short but would still work. Lube a case up and run it through the size die. Then get out the calipers and see if the result is something you want to work with.

Experimenting is much more satisfying that getting an answer from someone on an internet forum.

 

[Andy]

243 is so cheap and easy to find, that it makes little sense to do it, but yes, just run it through the 243 sizer. Expect a thicker neck, so measure with a bullet in place and compare to what you have with 243 brass. You risk eating up required chamber neck clearance and can get into dangerous lack of same, requiring neck turning to correct.

 

[prosper]

You should be able to size in a single step. As noted, the brass will be a touch short, but that's not a problem. Also the neck will be thicker, so make sure you start light when you do your load development. If you can't slip a bullet into a fired case with minimal resistance, the neck is too thick