epoletna
Well-Known Member
Cleaning your die might have been the problem. I clean new dies with brake cleaner (or similar), but then I shoot a shot of One Shot inside the die and let it completely dry before using it. And I use Imperial Sizing wax on the case body. This has made resizing a lot easier.
Another problem with using .308 brass necked down (even with the intermediate step you used) is neck thickness with the finished product. I know you mentioned that you were aware of this, but many years ago I experienced this problem and found the only thing I could do to rectify it was to full length resize without an inside neck resizing button, then inside ream. This was in the days before anyone neck turned the outside of necks, which I now do on other calibers.
Bottom line: stick with brass that has the original .243 head stamp from the factory, and that has been fired in the chamber you are resizing for.
Another problem with using .308 brass necked down (even with the intermediate step you used) is neck thickness with the finished product. I know you mentioned that you were aware of this, but many years ago I experienced this problem and found the only thing I could do to rectify it was to full length resize without an inside neck resizing button, then inside ream. This was in the days before anyone neck turned the outside of necks, which I now do on other calibers.
Bottom line: stick with brass that has the original .243 head stamp from the factory, and that has been fired in the chamber you are resizing for.