Broken Sternum, reduced .243, beginning reload kit

[jammer]

Hello all,

Long story short, I have multiple issues here. Wanted to reload for a long time. Now I have a 7+ year old niece that I was to hunt with but don't want her to get kicked too hard. Plus, I cracked my sternum 1.5 weeks ago and have just another 3 weeks before hunting season. I'm looking to reduce the load on the .243 just a bit and keep the shots close so the two of us can survive. Also, this is when I put up the majority of our meat supply for the year and I really need to figure something out.

I already own a very professional digital scale from another hobby. I also have digital calipers. I own at least 2 reloading manuals. I have a set of the yellow Lee powder measures for crude powder scooping. What else do I *need* right now? Bullet puller? case trimmer? I know I'll need dies.
I'm considering these kits:
Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=423081

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=121744

So, to sum up:
1) Which kit do I need?
2) What extra tools?
3) Who has a good reduced recoil load for .243? (I know it sounds funny, but my chest doesn't think so) This is going in a savage 10.

Thanks,
jammer

[possum1]

Either kit will serve you well, mines going on two years with no problems. http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf

[jammer]

Possum,

Thanks so much for that pdf. That's exactly some of the info I was looking for.

[Baryngyl]

About 13 years or so ago I got what is basically the "Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit" but at the time it had a different press.
It has everything you need except dies, case length gauge and reloading components.
This is the dies I have and they work great. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=505106
This is the case trimmer that is used with the parts supplied in the kit. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=321592
They have some good bullets here, they are BLEM's but that is not a problem, they are selling out fast so hurry. http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/blem_bullets.asp
You might want to check prices at both http://www.midway and http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com to see who has the best prices for everything.
Then if you get primers and powder locally it will not cost you the HazMat fee.
I have used H4350 and W760 powders in my 243 loads, I am using the W760 right now, not sure of the charge with out looking it up.
You can get reloading guides from free from the powder company websites in the .PDF form, can also ask them to send you a paper copy.

Michael Grace

[buyobuyo]

Then if you get primers and powder locally it will not cost you the HazMat fee.

Graf&Sons (www.grafs.com) is having a sale right now where they are waiving the HazMat fee on powder and primers, but you have to buy at least 16lb.

[jammer]

Hi Baryngyl,

So, let me be clear...you mentioned this set of dies that I need. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=505106

Then I need the case trimmer http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=476992 but I need the case gage to work with it like this one http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=321592 and after that I just need my brass, primers, powder and bullets.

Thanks for the lead on the powder companies providing info. I had looked at those before and forgot that.

[possum1]

Not trying to start an argument here. But you would be better served if you purchased the Lee Deluxe Die set, just a few buck's more and well worth the collet die you recieve. http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/7997

[tammons]

Use H4895 at 60% max.
There is a reduced load here.
http://hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf

The problem might be that 6mm bullets will be designed to expand at a higher velocity
I would probably load a light varmint bullet at about 2800 or an amax bullet and make a neck shot.

[jammer]

Hi guys,

Tell me Possum, what are the advantages to that set? I don't mind spending an extra $4 for better stuff.

Looks like most of my storebought loads are 100gr bullets. How much lighter is reasonable for good penetration? I'll handle hold overs with the mil-dot if I need to, just want a humane load for the deer AND me!

Thanks for all the help guys!
jammer

[jammer]

Ok, guys....

Here's what I did:

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit $81.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tnumber=423081

Lee Deluxe 3-Die Set 243 Winchester $28.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tnumber=408836

Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 243 Winchester $4.49
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tnumber=321592

Frankford Arsenal Impact Bullet Puller $8.49
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tnumber=215517

Plus I'm getting the die set and length gage in .270 for the other rifle.
Did miss anything???

[possum1]

You'll save some shipping charges if you go through Graf's. I also reccomend the Lee 3-jaw chuck instead of the old style case holder. edit sorry didn't see post #8, I use a 85gr Sierra HP but have killed a few deer with a 75gr. Shot placement is what's it's all about. The deluxe set of dies isn't better stuff you just get the collet neck sizer, it's the "berries" for a bolt gun.

[Baryngyl]

I see you already ordered your stuff, but as possum1 said the Lee Deluxe Die set might work as well or better for you.
I do not remember the collet neck sizing die being available 13 or so years ago when I ordered and even if it was I probably would have still got the one I did since I was reloading for a Remington 760 pump gun and they should usually be full length resized anyway.


Michael Grace

Hi Baryngyl,

So, let me be clear...you mentioned this set of dies that I need. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=505106

Then I need the case trimmer http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=476992 but I need the case gage to work with it like this one http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=321592 and after that I just need my brass, primers, powder and bullets.

Thanks for the lead on the powder companies providing info. I had looked at those before and forgot that.

[jammer]

Well, I ran into troubles ordering. So part is coming from Midway, but the dies and length gages were ordered from Graf's. .243 length gages are in short supply right now! But I did order the Deluxe sets with the collet die as recommended.

I really appreciate all the help. I'll be talking to you guys for more details latter this week on the reloads.

Absolutely on the shot placement. I'm glad to hear what you've used. I was looking at both those sizes. I'm still working on this. I really wish I had gotten a youth size stock to put on this gun for her. I'm thinking of filling the stock with shot to give it extra weight and recoil resistance.

Thanks,
jammer

[jo191145]

Paper shooter only.
I've never tried the H-4895 reduced loads tammons suggested. Probably a great place to start.
For what its worth I do know Varget can produce some fairly tight groups down low in the normal data range.
Fairly significant reduction in recoil over the normal full house loads. Good luck.

[diriel]

+1 to the Hodgdons youth loads. They work very well in 3 different calibers that I have used them in. Also +1 to the Sierra 85gr HPGK hunting bullets, those things are pure poison. They do not need a whole lot of extra velocity to get the job done. I am going to post a link for you to look at and please think about. It has to do with recoil calculations, you can input various info and get back some very useful information:

http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmrecoil-5.1.cgi
-- also link below this too,
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Some really good and informative information on recoil. I would go with H4895 youth loads type loads using the Sierra 85gr HPGK bullets. The recoil will be minimal and the game you take will not realize much difference at all in velocity.

Good hunting,
Gary