30/30 Handloads

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Ida Noski

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I have a set of dies for 30/30 that I purchased used a while ago. It's a two die set, so, one to size, the other to seat. I tried to adjust the seating die to crimp but it didn't seem to be a very tight crimp. I was able to remove the bullet without too much effort with a kinetic puller.
The dies are RCBS with the number 79 on the top of them for whatever that is worth.
I received good advice here a while back about using a Lee Factory Crimp die on my .45 ACP loads that I was having issues with.
So, my question is, does anyone here use the LFCD with a different set of dies for the 30/30?
All other rifle rounds that I load for use neck tension only and I do not crimp anything, however, I know this is not possible with the tube fed 30/30. I want to make sure I've got plenty of crimp.
And lastly, anybody using Varget for your loads?

Thanx All!
 
Yup...I use the Lee FCD on all my .30-30 rounds. Works slick. Just make sure that the cases are within +/- .001" or at most +/- .002" of each other and the recommended minimum to maximum length...

I trim to 2.035" +/- .001"
 
I bought the deluxe die set which comes with the FCD. I also just purchased Varget to try some loads with it. Everyone tells me it meters exceptionally well. Should be fun getting everything set up and running and building some loads with it.
 
are you shooting cast or jacketed bullets.?
I ask because there is a roll crimp die available,rcbs I think mine is,that puts a nice roll crimp on my rounds,same as my revolver rounds.
Most die sets are set up to apply a taper crimp to jackeeted bullets as this what most folks use for hunting,seems like.

You'll like Varget,btw.
 
3030 is an easy round to load for as most any of the popular componentmakers have good stuff for it. If you are going to crimp, and you should with this round in a tubular mag you need a real good trim to length job. The 79 on the die refers to the year 1979. Chief aka Maxx Load
 
I use Lee RGB two die set cost me 12.00 new and case trimer and use the seating die to make a nice roll crimp.

Mike
 
I couldn't get a good crimp with the RGB dies without buckling the case so I splurged $8 on the FCD and life is good.
 
I was also experiencing the buckled case with what was not a very tight crimp.
So I'll pony up for the LFCD and call it good.:D
As for using Varget, I started using it several years ago in .223 when I was shooting Highpower. Since then I've used it in several other rifle calibers with good success.
I was just wondering if anyone had a pet load or two using it for 30/30.
I think I'd like to use 170 grn JFP's. I bought a box, but the Marlin I'll be using them in is new to me and I haven't had a chance to take it out and see what it likes yet.
Oh, and Chief, thanks for the info on the numbering of the dies!
 
Well There. Now I know why I'm having such a hard time loading for my 94. FCD it shall be. Glad I looked at this thread, thanks for opening it Noski
 
Ida Noski: on those 170s varget may work well.

But a load I've found that shoots exceptionally accurate in the 6 different 30-30s I've tried it in is a max charge(listed on the bottle of powder) of H335 under a 150 gr sierra fp. May want to work up to that load, and try it out.
 
Inside chamfer of the case necks if they are the correct length
can stop some of the buckles. Also check diameter of sizing plug.
Slightly smaller diameter will give tighter bullet fit with Jacketed
bullets. Also inside lube of case neck takes some of the stress off
very thin necks. Best solution is a Lee Delux Collet Dies!
 
One more vote for the FCD, and case length is important.
:confused:

The instructions clearly state that case length is not as important as with other crimping methods ("Trim length is not critical").

I was just wondering if anyone had a pet load or two using it for 30/30.

My 336 is happiest with heavier bullets (170gr) of the Speer FP variety with IMR4895.
 
My ol' Jack Handle works quite well with 170 grain Speer FNSP over WLR primer and 32.0 grains of W-748...In Winchester or Remington cases...
 
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