FCD and .30-.30

[DMF38]

Hello everyone. I just started reloading last summer, and I have a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press. I've been reloading .45 Colt without a problem, and I've just started reloading .30-.30. I got the Lee Deluxe Die set for .30-.30, with the Factory Crimp Die. My problem is that I can't seem to get it to put a solid enough crimp on the cartridges. I'm shooting the ammo out of a Winchester 94, and when I load a few into the magazine the bullets push back into the case. I've adjusted the FCD to put the maximum crimp on it, but it's not tight enough. Has anyone had a similar problem? Any advice?

 

[Byron]

Are you crimping in the cannelure on the bullet. I use the Lee Crimp die for my 30-30 and this holds the bullet securely.Also, when seating the bullet, are you feeling resistence of the bullet against the sized neck? Byron

 

[DMF38]

Yes, I'm crimping it on the cannelure. And the neck is kind of tight when I put the bullet on it to seat it. I have to hold the bullet in place with my fingers as I seat it, or the bullet will fall off. So far I've only tried reloading them by neck-sizing. I haven't done full-length sizing yet. I used once fired Remington brass. And I'm using Sierra 150 gr. flat nose bullets.

 

[rbernie]

Strange - I use R-P brass, Sierra 150gr FP bullets, and a Lee FCD (I even use a Lee Classic!) and have no setback issues at all in my Marlin 336. About the only place we differ in tools is that I use a full lngth sizer.

How are you adjusting the FCD? When the press ram is at the top of its stroke, do the petals of the crimp die fully meet?

 

[Byron]

I wonder if the neck is fully resized. Turn the die down some more and see what happens. What powder and charge are you using?
I had a problem with the shoulder causing the cartridge to not fully seat. I set my die at FL and backed it off two turns. All works well. Byron

 

[DMF38]

I took out the FCD and gave it an inspection. It looked like there was some lint or some kind of crud in between the four petals. I had only loaded 40 cartridges with it before so i don't know how it got dirty. But I sprayed out the grooves between the petals and tried it again. It seems to work ok now. I just loaded 6 rounds and put them in the rifle's magazine. None of the bullets pushed back, so maybe that solved the problem. I reload some more and see how it goes. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[DMF38]

I took out the FCD and gave it an inspection. It looked like there was some lint or some kind of crud in between the four petals. I had only loaded 40 cartridges with it before so I don't know how it got dirty. But I sprayed out the grooves between the petals and tried it again. It seems to work ok now. I just loaded 6 rounds and put them all in the rifle's magazine. None of the bullets pushed back, so maybe that solved the problem. I'll reload some more and see how it goes. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[SASS#23149]

before you load a bunch

just putting them in the mag won't tell you if they're gonna set back unde recoil.Hold the cartridge in your hand and push HARD against the bullet with your thumb.It should not budge.If it does then borrow or buy a different sizer and see how it goes.Not all dies are made correctly,just like anything els.:banghead:

 

[DMF38]

I pushed as hard as I could on a few with my thumb and none budged. Next weekend I'll shoot them and see if they hold up under recoil. If I still have the problem I'll get another die. Seems ok now though.

 

[Byron]

Let us know how they shooting goes. Byron

 

[The Bushmaster]

DMF38..This has nothing to with your problem, but it would behove you to full length size those .30-30 cases for lever guns. Mostly for the same reason you full length size rifle ammunition for a semi-auto rifle. If you don't you will start to see hard chambering after a few reloadings.

I have been using a Lee FCD for a number of years and have not had a problem with it. Make sure you have it adjusted occording to the instructions and as you have found, keep it clean. The FCD is almost essentual for loading .30-30 and when you get the problem figured out, will serve you well.

 

[DMF38]

Thanks Bushmaster. Yep, I did full-length resize them last night and that works out well. Can't wait to try 'em this weekend!

 

[mpthole]

So what happened?

I just picked up a Marlin 336 at the gun show and will be loading for it soon.