30-30 Reloading Dies

[razorback2003]

What is a good set of reloading dies for 30-30? I will mainly be loading jacketed hunting rounds. I've never reloading for rifle rounds, just handgun. I may in time get into loading cast bullets for 30-30, but for now will just load jacketed. Does it matter whether the dies are Lee, RCBS, Redding, or Lyman? I know the Lee deluxe set comes with a factory crimp die.

 

[rcmodel]

No, it doesn't matter.

All will do a perfect job if adjusted correctly.

I prefer RCBS dies.
But the Lee FCD does a great job without having to trim all the cases to exact length.

On the other hand I really recommend trimming all 30-30 brass the first time, as it is more inconsistent length between brands then any other caliber I ever loaded.

rc

 

[howlnmad]

They will all make perfectly usable ammunition. I do like the Lee crimp die for rifles.

 

[Offfhand]

The Lyman "M" die is helpful when loading cast bullets in rifle calibers.

 

[Rico567]

I'm using a 50 year old set of Lyman .30-30 dies. They've always worked fine. The only issue reloading .30-30 is a function of the old case design, not the dies. It's pretty easy to collapse a neck/shoulder if the dies aren't adjusted correctly.

 

[RainDodger]

I thought I needed (actually just wanted) a new set of .30-30 dies, so I bought a pretty red box of Hornady New Dimension dies. After sizing a batch of shells, I took them over to my L.E. Wilson case trimmer.

When I put the sized cases into the L.E. Wilson case holder, they were too small to be gripped by the holder. They literally rattled around in the case holder (yes, it was a case holder for sized cases and not fired cases...), so I could not trim them.

I cannot remember the numbers now, but they were sized considerably smaller than cases coming out of my ancient set of RCBS dies. Hornady customer service just said there was nothing wrong and their sizers are industry spec. I expected that. Rather than mess around with it, I went back to my RCBS sizer, but use the Hornady seating die. Problem solved in my case.

If you're wondering - there was nothing custom or different about the Hornady die. The set was a standard .30-30 set, and adjusted perfectly. I just got tired of trying to talk to Hornady about it, and since the RCBS-sized cases fit my rifles just fine, I'm good to go. Your own mileage may vary slightly. My RCBS set is from about the 1950s I think. passed down from the dad.

 

[razorback2003]

Is it easier to seat and crimp in separate steps for 30-30 or do the RCBS, Redding, and Lyman seat/crimp dies do a pretty good job of seating and crimping in one step?

 

[razorback2003]

Also is there anything different about loading the Hornady plastic tipped FTX bullets? Will a regular seating plug work? Also would it be better to separate crimping and seating when loading FTX bullets?

 

[Rico567]

Is it easier to seat and crimp in separate steps for 30-30 or do the RCBS, Redding, and Lyman seat/crimp dies do a pretty good job of seating and crimping in one step?

Standard die sets have a seat/crimp die that will, when correctly adjusted, do both operations in one stroke of the press. It has been my experience (I've used Lyman, RCBS, Pacific, Lee, and Dillon dies) that if the manufacturer's printed instructions are followed, the operations of seating and crimping can be performed together.

That being said, there are folks who prefer to separate the two operations. For pistol reloading, I use separate seat and crimp dies, but that's for another reason, not applicable to rifle reloading.

 

[razorback2003]

Yes, I use a separate Lee FCD for handgun cartridges because I use cast bullets. It seems to be easier to crimp separately with handgun cartridges.

I did not know if centerfire rifle was any different.

 

[Walkalong]

My default rifle die choice is RCBS, although I have others, and prefer Forster seaters for accuracy work.

My RCBS .30-30 dies work great.

I'll second the trim them the first time around thing.

 

[razorback2003]

Walkalong,

Do you seat and crimp in the same step for 30-30 with your seat/crimp RCBS die?

 

[witchhunter]

With RCBs dies you can seat and crimp in one pass. Have been doing it since before electricity. Win 748 or IMR3031 with a 150 grain flat point.

 

[Walkalong]

Walkalong,

Do you seat and crimp in the same step for 30-30 with your seat/crimp RCBS die?

Yes. It requires a bullet with a good cannelure, not just roll marks.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I originally used Lee dies for reloading everything because the price was right and they produced very accurate ammo. I still use Lee dies for all my handgun loading but over time I have replaced all my rifle dies with RCBS. I just like the RCBS dies and over the past few years the price of their 2 die rifle sets have come down to only $34.99 in most places.

I have loaded rifle ammo with Lee, RCBS and Hornady dies and all seem to produce equal accuracy so buy the dies you like best...

 

[gamestalker]

I'm much the same, in that, I prefer RCBS for rifle loading, but really like the Lee die's as well for all handgun.

My 30-30 die set is an old RCBS from 1960 something, and the set is to perfect spec as far as I'm concerned, and it produces great ammo, oh, and it crimps just fine while seating.

GS

 

[GP100man]

The 30-30 like the 222rem, 6mm & 30-06 has a long neck ,made for shooting castboolits !!

Get the Lyman set with the "M" die so you`ll have it to scratch the itch when it hits. Not if it hits ,but when!