Seating 243 AI

[kelbro]

Can you use a standard 243 seating die on 243 AI?

[GaCop]

Don't believe so.. I tried my Forster benchrest 223 Rem seater on my 223AI cases and it would not work.

[Blue Avenger]

the better grade dies fit the parent case to close and put a bit of taper back in the case.

[bootsmcguire]

Use the seating die out of the Lee Collet Die set (or Deluxe Set). The Collet die and the "Dead Length" Seating Die from Lee work great on the 243AI. It's what I use and works great, does not deform the case at all.

[kelbro]

All that I have is an RCBS 243 seater so I guess that I will try it first. If not, off to Brunos.

[Joe O]

http://www.gmwvickerman.com/

Don't overlook this seater.Shoulderis cut for the 40* shoulder,and you get a loading window.Great service.

[GaCop]

http://www.gmwvickerman.com/

Don't overlook this seater.Shoulderis cut for the 40* shoulder,and you get a loading window.Great service.

Interesting, compared to some dies, the price is more than reasonable.

[efw]

I really like the Hornady seating die, personally. It has the alignment sleeve of the "comp" dies, works on all 6mm cartridges, and delivers the best concentricity of the "regular" seaters.

couple it w/ the Lee Collet Neck Sizer (which works for the AIs of standard cases) and you're gonna have some seriously straight reloads.

Good luck,

efw

[kelbro]

Update.

Lee collet die and standard RCBS seater worked for .002 or less runout with those long Sierra 107gr Match Kings.

I had already ordered a Redding 243AI seater. Wish I would have been more patient.

[kelbro]

Update #2. The Redding 243AI seater also yields .002 runout or less but the majority of them are running right at .001 so they are a little better. Don't see any difference on the target but I feel better about the rounds :)

Redding body die and Lee collet die seems to be the biggest contributor to the low runout. Those and maybe the nice Shilen chamber.

[Blue Avenger]

Lee collets are so generous inside I can put my 7mm STW cases in side the .270 win collet die with a .416" thick bushing around the stw case to make up for the extra length between the shell holder and the bottom of the collet and resize my case necks. Never would have dreamed they were that large.