Do you crimp for lever action 30-30

[Vol46]

I recently resurrected a Marlin 336 from the back of my safe. It seems reasonably accurate with factory 150 & 170 grain,ammunition. I want to try some light bullets (maybe 110 or 125 grain if I can ever find any) for varmints and plinking. I bought a Lee 3 die set because I have never crimped my bottleneck cartridges.

With the tubular magazine, would it be a good idea to crimp these rounds? Do you use a separate crimp die or the factory seater if you do crimp?

Does anyone have a pet powder/ bullet combination for 30-30? I usually use Reloader 15 or Varget for my mid sized calibers. I recently got some IMR 8028 XBR, but have not yet tried the .308 & 22-250 that I have loaded with it.

 

[beeenbag]

Yes, I crimp it if it is used in a tubular magazine. The recoil can change oal.

I use the seat/crimp die at once.

I have found great accuracy with the 170g hornady bullet on top of a charge of reloder 10x.

 

[Walkalong]

Yes.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Yes...Absolutely...A firm crimp if used in a tube magazine.

65 year old Model 94 .30 WCF. 32 grains of W-748 under a Speer 170 gr Hotcore Flat Nose. Winchester or Remington case CCI primed. 2100 fps give or take. 1 5/8" three shot group at 100 yards. Consistently.

 

[FROGO207]

This is one of the times a Lee Factory Crimp die shines. You do not hve to trim each firing with it but it will provide a decent crimp as long as the brass is not too long. Be aware it will not work with the Hornaday LeveRevolution brass as the crimp needs to be so much lower on those however. I use 3031 for my 30-30 reloading with great results.

 

[243winxb]

light bullets (maybe 110 or 125 grain

Yes, crimp as neck tension is below the 75 lbs bullet pull that a 170gr generates without a crimp. Other testing > http://www.handloadersbench.com/view_post.php?post_id=265433

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Walkalong,

That is a nice looking 30/30 round. I really like how well you have the crimp rolled in there and some great photography.

It just makes me want to pull out my 1952 94 and go plink something.

 

[Steven57]

Definitely crimp and pretty strong. I had a 255gr .45Colt light load get stuffed into the case and it was #7 in line to fire. I thought it was enough crimp, but was wrong.

 

[Captain Capsize]

110 gr. 30 cal. carbine bullets, lead plated over 26 gr. of H4198 produces 3 shots touching at 100 yds. And the best part is it shoots to same point of aim as Remington 170 gr. loaded ammo.

 

[Boho]

Definitely crimp. I use the LFCD. I worked up multiple loads last year. H4895, R15, H335, and IMR3031 were very consistent in my marlin. The LVR powder didn't work as well as I thought it would for accuracy but its gets really good velocity.

 

[RPRNY]

Definitely crimp. I use the LFCD. I worked up multiple loads last year. H4895, R15, H335, and IMR3031 were very consistent in my marlin. The LVR powder didn't work as well as I thought it would for accuracy but its gets really good velocity.

I crimp with LFCD. Don't want to hijack, just a comment on leverevolution powder. It doesn't do well with lighter weight bullets (under 150) and it really does best in very high load density. Finding that spot between highest load density and best accuracy is a 10ths of a grain endeavour. Worth trying to dial in though.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree with all of the above, yes a crimp is necessary for ammo used in a tubular magazine. I also agree the Lee FCD is a good choice for a crimping die even if you don't like it for other applications not that the seating/crimping die can't do a very good job too.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

If you're using the Hornady 160 gr FTX bullets, you have to trim extra short. This means the LFCD won't work because it's too long. You'll have to crimp with the seating die. My Lee seating die was too long as well, so I had to cram some aluminum foil between the seater plug and the seater adjustment cap. Lee will make a custom plug for you if you mail them a sample bullet.

But I think I heard that Hornady has discontinued these bullets as components. I guess folks didn't like having to take all those special measures for a little higher B.C.