bought alot of used 30-30 brass once fired. I have Lee dies and single stage Lee Press, I know about the deprim and size with the first Die, but I'm finding such a vast difference of sizes, I'm second guessing myself. The Lyman reloading book for 30-30 trim length is 2.028, however some are longer like 2.039 that can be trimmed, but it's the brass that are shorter like 2.016 or 2.012. I'm thinking of makeing the shorter brass to the 2.028 for uniformity. Now how can I do this?
30-30 Brass size differences
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Are you measuring them before or after sizing??
You cant tell a thing until they have been resized.
With that said, I have seen more length variation in 30-30 brass from different manufactures then any other caliber.
If you plan to crimp in the seating die, all you can do is trim them all to the same length.
Even if that is shorter then recommended trim-too length.
The Lee FCD collet-crimp die is more forgiving as it operates off the shell holder, and will handle different lengths, within reason, quite satisfactorly.
rc
You cant tell a thing until they have been resized.
With that said, I have seen more length variation in 30-30 brass from different manufactures then any other caliber.
If you plan to crimp in the seating die, all you can do is trim them all to the same length.
Even if that is shorter then recommended trim-too length.
The Lee FCD collet-crimp die is more forgiving as it operates off the shell holder, and will handle different lengths, within reason, quite satisfactorly.
rc
I've never trimmed any 30/30 brass but do use the case gauge to make sure the shoulder is 'right'. If you got the full Lee set, it has the FCD which works great. other dies are roll crimp so I just just kiss them so I see a shiny 'ring' on the mouth.
Shoot it.
2.012 isn't short enough to worry about. After sizing, trim everything to 2.028. Anything shorter just won't get trimmed. Then shoot them all, and eventually the shorter ones will catch up and get to 2.028. Crimp however you want to, it'll be fine. Problem solved.
Welcome to THR
notaglockfanboy
Member
Keep in mind that Hornady Lever eveloution ammo uses shorter cases for whatever reason, so check head stamp. That may be the cases that are shorter.
oldreloader
Member
I agree with rcmodel and walkalong. They wont steer you wrong.
witchhunter
Member
I would separate your brass by headstamp. This may show which brands are short and which ones are long. I recommend using only one headstamp to create consistent loads. Good luck.
Separating by maker may show which ones are shorter or longer. I like a firm crimp, and keep them trimmed every couple loads. If some are short, I'd put them aside and readjust the die after doing the rest of them, then they will all have good crimps, and they will catch up after a while, like Walkalong said.
I find 30-30s tend to get uneven as much as anything. Trimming helps keep them even and the crimps uniform.
Some bullets have deeper crimp grooves, like Hornady compared to Speer. the deepr grooves are more forgiving in varying case length, but theres other reasons to use each bullet, so I just deal with the extra trimming when using the Speers.
I find 30-30s tend to get uneven as much as anything. Trimming helps keep them even and the crimps uniform.
Some bullets have deeper crimp grooves, like Hornady compared to Speer. the deepr grooves are more forgiving in varying case length, but theres other reasons to use each bullet, so I just deal with the extra trimming when using the Speers.
SwaneeSR
Member
Witch hunter is right.
I have been working on .30-30 loads the past few weeks and I have my Winchester and Federal brass separate and have same head stamp for each load.
I have been working on .30-30 loads the past few weeks and I have my Winchester and Federal brass separate and have same head stamp for each load.
45lcshooter
Member
All my brass I separate by headstamp, and load only 1 headstamp at a time. That way there is less confusion. And then you can measure and see if its just a couple pieces of brass or more that need trimmed, or thrown out.
I forgot to trim some 30-30 once, and the action on my Model 94 would not close, because now I had a headspace issue. Took the shells a parts, got everything taken care off, then with in a few mins, I blasted those few rounds too.
I forgot to trim some 30-30 once, and the action on my Model 94 would not close, because now I had a headspace issue. Took the shells a parts, got everything taken care off, then with in a few mins, I blasted those few rounds too.
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