.30 Carbine(pistol) questions.

[Matt-J2]

Got a few questions before I start reloading for this cartridge, which is/will be fired out of a Ruger Blackhawk.
What's the heaviest bullet that typically works well? In my Modern Reloading, it lists 130gr, but I think I've read somewhere that bullets that heavy don't tend to work well.
Anyone know where I can find a load for the 90gr Hornady XTP using a pistol powder? Thinking a potential defense load without the blast/flash normally found with the .30 Carbine from this revolver.
Who makes decent ammo for the cartridge that also has good brass? Heck, who makes good brass I can get in general?
Any die maker to avoid?
Anything special I should know, any quirks this cartridge has?


More specific, here's a few fired cases, Aguila brand FMJ. They all have that sort of bulge near the head there. All 50 of the Aguila cases had this. Some wors than others , but all noticeable by touch as well as sight. I also fired 50 rds of Sellier & Bellot FMJ. A few seemed to have the bulge, but nowhere near as badly. Is it an issue? Can I reuse this brass? Not that I even have a set of dies yet, of course.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

As usual, US brass is better than most overseas brass, with USGI being significantly thicker, but getting hard to find and having quite a bit of age on it now. Of the overseas brass, I would recommend buying some privi partisan ammo and see how that is, as most folks have good experiences with privi. As far as the brass bulging like that, could be a hot load or could be really thin brass. I would tend to suspect the latter. If you can get your hands on some USGI military to compare as a standard, you can pretty well know where your stuff is hardness wise.

Regards,

Dave

 

[closetgunnut]

Matt-J2

If you're looking for some military brass try Jeff Bartlett at GiBrass .

http://www.gibrass.com/brass.html

I just checked and he has some Lake City for $8/100 and $60/1000.

I got 1000 from him last year that were stamped "FA-55". Good stuff!

Hope that helps.

Closet

 

[Matt-J2]

Thanks for the help and I've certainly saved that link!

 

[dakotasin]

for brass, i just burp american eagle when i need some. it does fine.

i found the 110 speer jhp to be a good, accurate bullet in my blackhawk. the sights on the blackhawk are a little coarse for 100 yard and beyond shooting, but they work ok, and that bullet is plenty accurate.

for dies i just run rcbs carbide dies and imperial wax to size the cases.

loading the 30 carbine for the blackhawk is a straightforward affair - no surprises, pressure excursions, or other nastiness.

 

[243winxb]

Brass looks normal for factory maximum pressure loads i think. The chambers of the gun are a little rough. Give it a good cleaning with a brass brush might help. http://www.huntingtons.com/dies_reloading.html#ccarbide The RCBS Carbide die set works well. Load data can be see at Hodgdon. http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp Steves pages has lots of load data, remember , start low and work up http://stevespages.com/308p_1.html Alliant 2400 powder with a magnum primer work well.

 

[Chief 101]

If you wants to shoot the 90 xtp and you don't mind using Unique you can do as I do and use 5-6 grains. There may very well be something better out there but that will certainly be a good strarting point for loading for a revolver such as the Ruger.

 

[243winxb]

http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aastruger30bh.htm Loading Data lists a small rifle primer. I forget what one i used. Rifle or pistol?

 

[rcmodel]

You must use Small Rifle primers in the .30 Carbine. That's what the primer pockets are designed for, not to mention the pressure.

rcmodel

 

[243winxb]

rcmodel, Pressure shown on Hodgdons website lists a max of 38,800 cup for the 30 carbine. The 357mag has a max of 42,500 cup. I find that interesting.http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=369751&highlight=primer+pocket Primer pocket info. "According to SAAMI, the depths for small pistol, small rifle, and large pistol primer pockets are .118" to .122", while large rifle primer pocket depths are .128" to .132". Small pistol and small rifle primers have the same diameter (.175") while large rifle and large pistol primers are also the same (.210").

Also, Speer recommends primers be seated .003" to .005" below flush." If all this is correct, why can't a small magnum pistol primer be used in the 30 carbine when fired in a Blackhawk revolver?

 

[zxcvbob]

I load 100 and 115 grain cast lead bullets, and I load them really hot. I get very good accuracy, but it gets a bit tiresome having to take the cylinder out and pound the brass out of it! (maybe I ought to back off a little.) I get almost no leading at all, no matter how much I abuse it. The best bullets I've found are Berry's plated rifle bullets, but they are kind of pricey right now.

Don't forget to trim your brass (at least check it for length) after you resize it.