AusVarmint

As it say fellas, I'll be using a Lee kit reloading .243 at this stage, with a.300 something soon. Is any one brand of dies better for the $$$ than others? This is my first foray into reloading after 20 odd years of shooting!!!!!

Recommendations please Ladies, Gentelmen and otherwise non Descript!!!

I like Redding. Have used 4 different brands they are my favourite.

The best that you can afford at the time is probably the best for now.
Then you can always upgrade as the time passes.

I use everything from Lee RGB to Forster dies, and they all can produce very accurate ammunition.

Mick

Like Mick said use multipal brands but mostly Lee and Redding, am going to be using Redding from now on though.

I have only bought Lee dies, I use a RGB set for my 222 rimmed martini and not sure a different die brand would make it shoot less than 3/4 inch by much anyway.

Again lee for my 6.5x55 old mauser, I use a collet die set though with this and again not sure a different brand would make it shoot much better, again well under and inch.

I also have RCBS and redding that came with rifles/reamers etc etc.

They all seem to work so not real helpful, I think it means maybe buy what you find

Thanks guys! Seems no one has said avoid this or stay away from that! I'll see what the LGS have in stock and go from there.

Am I correct in saying for a .243, AR2209 will be appropriate in front of CCI large rifle primers

Sharpie wrote:Thanks guys! Seems no one has said avoid this or stay away from that! I'll see what the LGS have in stock and go from there.

Am I correct in saying for a .243, AR2209 will be appropriate in front of CCI large rifle primers

Yes mate, either 2209 or 2208 will be good.

Yes 2209 for the heavier side of things and 2208 for the lighter side, I used to load 2208 behind the 80 nosler BT but now load 09 behind the 87 hornady bthp. But as they say every rifle is different.

sometime shooter wrote:Yes 2209 for the heavier side of things and 2208 for the lighter side, I used to load 2208 behind the 80 nosler BT but now load 09 behind the 87 hornady bthp. But as they say every rifle is different.

What he said. I used 2208 in 243 for a 70gn pill but 90gn plus 2209 should do the job better

I used 2209 initially, but found it impossible to get round my area in the last few months. Changed to 2208 and just loaded it to make the same velocity. No pressure signs at all behind the 85 gr pellet. Incidentally, Sharpie, do you have a good supply of projectiles and powder for your .243? The area I live in has 2 gun stores and both are out of 2209. I bought all the projectiles that came in just last week and the last half kilo of 2208. Both LGS's say that mid weight projectiles and suitable powders are going to be in extremely short supply for the .243. If anyone knows of another suitable powder that is in ready supply I would be very interested in learning of it. I still have bout 400 rounds of hornady vmax to get through.

Greysa wrote:suitable powders are going to be in extremely short supply for the .243. If anyone knows of another suitable powder that is in ready supply I would be very interested in learning of it. I still have bout 400 rounds of hornady vmax to get through.

Alliant RE17 works OK assuming you an get hold of it.

Cheers,
Waldo