Dumb question??????

[yotesmoker]

I have been a reloader for handguns only.I am about to try reloading for a win 94 30-30 that I just picked up.I have thousands of jacketed 310 dia bullets and wondering if I can use them in a 308 bore?In looking for an answer on the web someone mentioned a lee 308 sizeing die.Does this die size down a jacketed 310 bullet to 308? Question 3...When ordering lead büllets what dia. Do I need for my 30-30? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[witchhunter]

I don't know about your .310 bullets working so well in a 30/30. If you look at all lead bullets, you should try a .309 with a gas check depending on your bore size. Bullet casters will answer that in more detail. See what is available from Missouri bullet co.

 

[Dave Bulla]

Correct jacketed bullet diameter for a 30-30 is .308 period.

While I've never done it myself, there was a post on another forum (I think Mauser Central) a couple years ago where a guy was sizing jacketed .375 bullets down to shoot in a 9.3x57 which is a .366 bore and rather hard to find bullets for at times. He got good results but the whole process bothered me for some reason. Just didn't seem right. I don't recall if he used some sort of conventional sizing die or if it was a custom/home made thing.

I'll try to do some digging to see if I can find that thread and maybe post a link to it for you if it's still in their archives.

 

[Otto]

Do NOT use FMJ bullets in tubular magazines

 

[plmitch]

Lee sizing dies are for cast bullets.

 

[Poper]

Not a dumb question at all. The only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked.

Jacketed bullet can be drawn down to a smaller diameter. It takes some special tools and dies and a press, but it can be done. There was an article in September's NRA American Rifleman about that specific process. You can read it here: (http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nra/ar_201309/index.php?startid=4#/56).

I hope this is helpful.

Poper

 

[plmitch]

Slug your barrel to find out the size of cast bullet needed.

 

[sexybeast]

I agree. Slug your barrel. If its .309 then you can use them. The Ruger mini-30 has a .308 barrel but 7.62x39 shoots fine and they are .311-.312. Do some research on the loads you should use.
When I shot alot of rifle I do remember many using oversized bullets including jacketed.

 

[JerryND]

I'll always remember the sign that hung in the parts department of our local VW dealer back in the 60's. "If you have a dumb question, ask it. It's easier to handle than a dumb mistake."

 

[Walkalong]

I would think, with lube, that the Lee die could size that bullet down .002, despite being intended for lead, but I don't know. My question would be would they shoot better sized, or as is. I don't know.

I have not tried anything over .308 in a .30-30, but I have shot .310 bullets in 300 BLK (123 Gr Z Max .310 7.6@X39 bullet), and they worked fine. You would need to make sure there is plenty of clearance in the neck area. Should be, but never say never.

Max charge would be less for the bullet weight I would think. It certainly is in the 300 BLK when comparing the 125 Gr .308 SST vs the 123 Gr .310 Z Max.

I would try it myself.

Be careful and let us know how it works.

 

[ranger335v]

The late great gunsmith P.O. Ackley proved bullets much greater than a couple of thou larger than normal over sized jacketed bullets can safely be fired IF the bullets are nor clamped in the chamber throat. I wouldn't hesitate to use them after normal load work up IF the loaded neck diameter is smaller than the diameter of your normal fired cases.

 

[Edarnold]

If your jacketed .310 diameter bullets are pointed, such as pulled bullets from 7.62 Russian surplus ammo, then it's no-go. The end of the bullet rests on the primer of the cartridge ahead of it in the magazine tube of a lever-action like the Winchester 94. A pointed bullet can act like a firing pin when the rifle recoils, setting off the ammo in the magazine tube. For this reason, factory ammunition in 30-30 caliber has always had a flat-tipped or very rounded bullet. The Hornaday 'evolution' ammunition that came out recently has a soft plastic tip in their pointed bullets to make them safe.

 

[noylj]

I have used 0.312" inch bullets in .30-30 and .30-06. You start low and work up. Not a big deal. Unless you have a swage die and a lot of pressure, resizing a jacketed bullet will simply get the lead core down in diameter and the jacket will tend to spring out 0.001" or so. Not conducive to great accuracy.
Also, have you slugged your barrel? 0.308" jacketed bullets may be nominal, but barrels can vary in groove diameter. People seem to think that all rifles are made to extremely tight tolerances and never think to slug the barrel. A jacketed bullet of groove diameter is "best."

 

[matworz]

Maybe this is obvious, but just gotta say... I loaded a bunch of Spire point .30-30 rounds that I use in my Savage 170 pump rifle. Key is to only load one in the pipe and one in the mag tube. Works fine for me.