[SSN Vet]

Loaded up my next test batch of .30-30's last night....still hoping to work up an accurate load for the 150 gr Berry's flat noses, so I can have an economical plinker that can hit at 100 yds.

Generated yet another newb question.

Background....

I had previously deprimed, full length sized (w/ Lee Pace Setter dies), trimmed (cleaned on the zip trim with steel wool and a q-tip) and primed some 80 cases.

When I sized, the sizing die didn't go to the bottom of the case (stopped ~1/4" from the rim). The expander ball, however, seemed to go all the way through and re-sized the neck on the up stroke. So I called Lee and also posted here.

Several opinions suggested that I was either being a weeny arm on the press and not going to the mechanical stop, or the decap pin/expanding ball was set low (hence the pin slipping in the collet, even after being cleaned and tightened...though I did have it set flush with the top).

Inspecting the brass revealed that I hadn't set the shoulder back much, if any, but the guy at Lee suggested that if the rounds chamber smoothly (whcih they do) I was just fine and didn't need to worry about re-sizing.

Issue....

The neck is to tight to get either the Berry's (which run a shade big) or the Speers (which measure dead on @ .308) set by hand. I have to hold the bullet in place untill it is run up into the bullet seating die.

Is this normal?

Some how I was under the impression that I should be able to start the bullet into the expanded neck enough to hold itself in place while seating.

Thanks in advance....

[SASS#23149]

You want all the neck tension you can get,so holding onto the bullet is very common.
when I do rifle bullets I seat it halfway,rotate the bullet about 180 degrees,and the do the final seating.
just an idea I read somewhere.

did you set your die to just 'kiss' the shell holder? If so the die should go very near the botttom of the casings' sidewall. Having said tht I"ve never used the Pacesetter die so may not be correct in my thinking.:confused:

[scrat]

Very normal. i also load 30-30. same exact thing. one thing that helps is using a chamfer tool this will slightly open the mouth to recieve the bullet. But same as you once the case is charged i have to hold the bullet in place until it goes up the ram tube. Then it seats itself. pm me if you have any other questions on 30-30. i have only loaded about 3000 rounds.

[facedown]

I have to hold the bullet in place untill it is run up into the bullet seating die.

Perfectly normal. The mouth isn't flared/belled like with pistol casings so you need to guide the bullet up into the die. If you notice lead/copper shavings coming out of the die, then you may have a problem.

[The Bushmaster]

Do not bell a rifle case (bottle neck) and make sure that the button on the decapping pin isn't hitting the inside of the case head. Run the ram down until it just touches ("kisses" as SASS#23149 said) the shell holder. Pull it back up and place a pre-decapped .30-30 case on the shell holder and loosen the decapping pin nut after you have gotten the button past the neck and run the die the rest of the way down over the case. When the die stops. pull the pin up just a skoshy and tighten the nut. The die should be set. Make sure you lube the inside of the neck. The way I do it is with an old bronze bore brush rolled on the RCBS lube pad then push it into the case and pull it out. One aplication should do 5 or 6 cases. I load a lot of .30-30 Winchester rounds and this has worked for me...And yes. You will have to hold the bullet until the bullet is captured by the seating die.

[SSN Vet]

thanks for the specific set up instructions....everything makes perfect sense.