custom neck die for 22-243 imp 35 degree sholder go collet or not?

[reed mosser]

I have a custom 22-243 with a 35 degree sholder and was thinking of having lee make a custom collet die for me. I want to know if these dies are as good as the bushing dies. I don't want to buy any thing twice. I rather get the best the first time. I hear both good and bad tings with the collet dies and would appreciate any info? I interested in constiant neck tension and low extreme spreads. Thanks for any info

[TOM H]

Neil Jones of Custom Produsts www.neiljones.com makes a pretty nice bushing type shoulder bumping die also a seater they run about $200 a set but with his bushing set up you could use those dies for a 260,308,243AI,etc. Jim Cartensen (563) 689-6258 is another custom die maker. I'd sure give those guys a call. I haven't use the Lee collet dies so cann't comment. I've got Neils dies for my 17machIV thru 30-378 and the odd ball stuff like 30x44,30x47,30IHMSA,7x47AI and 6brshortentalldog some of those have 30,37 and 40 degree shoulders. I've got one set of his forming dies also. I think you right buy the good ones first was about 20yrs ago got hooked up with Neils dies. Well good luck

[Varmint Hunter]

I have a 22-243AI (40deg). I use a Redding Comp bushing neck die for .243AI and just use the appropiate bushing for my tight neck. It produces very consistent ammo.

Isn't the 22-243AI (35deg) the Middlestead variant? If so there are production dies available from Redding and probably a few others.

Just a thought - VH

[reed mosser]

I looked and there isn't any I can find. I have a comp seater and full length sizing die already. I just want to have a neck sizing die that I can control the neck tension. I looked on lee website and they said for $50 and about 3 months they could make me a collets die set. I thought that was very good price. I might give the collet a try. I just bought some redding comp bushing dies also so I will have to compare the two. Thanks for input

[Varmint Hunter]

You're right. Redding lists the 22-243 Middlestead with a 30deg shoulder and it is in the custom series.

VH