First time loading .30 Carbine: how vital is identical trim length?

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Thanks.
while I'm waiting for my Lee powder through die I loaded 20 or so with 296, 13.4 grains and OALs between 1.666" and 1.680"... most around 1.675. That's as close as I can get to consistent with these IWI lead tipped pills... some are flatter than others on the nose.

Shot a couple groups from informal bench and they seem to be at least as accurate as my Aquila FMJ stuff, and are cleaner for sure. They recoil a bit less... I guess I'll bump the charge up and try some more. Cases look good.

Fun little rifles!
 
The cases don't need to be the same length but they need to be at or below spec length. This is important because if they are too long it might cause the bolt not to lock, depends on the head space in your gun. You do not want to experience an out of battery detonation.

Don't let anyone tell you it isn't important. I use lots of range brass and I've found some way out of spec. (too long). Once you get them at or below spec you won't have to trim them very often but at least check them all if it's range brass and you have never trimmed them.

I check every one every time. They grow faster than other straight wall cases because of the higher pressure.

Just a heads up. I load a lot of 30 Carbine.
 
Well I've loaded a couple hundred now and have come across about 8 cases that are over max. So I guess I'll have to start trimming. I don't want to reset my RCBS trimmer that is perfectly locked in for .30-06... maybe I'll buy another trimmer. LOL

Initial results on first attempt reloading .30 Carbine:

All are mixed Aguila/S&B/R-P brass, CCI400 primers, IWI 110 grain JSP loaded to 1.670"ish (varies from 1.665-1.685 due to variations in lead nose). Note that all groups are fired at 18 YARDS indoor range, and I suck at rifle shooting. I'm not going to tell you how large the groups are because you'd laugh at me. :D

W296 14.4 grains more accurate that S&B or Aguila, functions fine, brass looks good.

IMR4227 13.2 and 13.9 weak rear ejection to forehead. 13.2 obviously light and short stroked/jammed during rapid fire test. Brass seems okay but dirty. Accuracy not much better than Aguila. Improper seal? Smells a bit but not unpleasant. 14.9 (over max in one manual, under max in one, HIGH ROAD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE; USE AT YOUR OWN RISK, ETC.) a little better. Recoils and ejects the same as Aguila (which I think is pretty weak). Accuracy a little better than Aguila.

Li'l Gun: both 14.1 and 15.0 produced good groups. 15.0 stronger than Aguila, brass appears to seal properly, ejects smartly and forward/right. Has op-rod dings. Appears to be a good load. More evaluation is needed.
 
The Hodgdon data for H110 and the 110 gr bullet is really all you need. It is "the" load", 14 to 15 gr. Doesn't take a lot to cycle those rifles 14.5 or so is good to go.:)
 
I have surplus brass that I will simply not bother to trim.....first the overlength issue has never been a problem in my Underwood bbld M1/A1 and I have had the stuff develop cracks while the oal was still in spec..

Most of the stuff I have was given me by a co-workers nephew who had scrounged most of it while he was at Ft. Hood.........and that was back in '67! (kid showed up at my home with a FULL pillowcase of the stuff!!)

Far as loads go, I once ran the top end recommendations but I've concluded that it's unnecessary. I shoot nearly 100% cast and drive those with all of 12.0 gr's of 2400.......impact agrees with the ramp rear sight on my gun.

Incidentally that gun is selective fire and I get fully functioning in either mode.
 
I figured if I was going to trim any I'd trim them all to the min. Hopefully they grow at the same rate and I can get a few firings before they're over spec.
 
Coaltrain49 has it correct, I load a lot of 30 carbine but I only reload my own new once fired brass never range brass and I very, very seldom have to trim. I like 14.8gns of lil-gun under a 110gn softpoint and 15gns under a 100gn halfjacket.
 
1KPerDay said:
collet-type RCBS Trim-Pro with 3-way cutter and power drill attachment. Still sucked.
Click to expand...

But tell us how you really feel and how much fun reloading is!:D

Trimming and primer crimp removal is not high on my list of fun either.
 
It's the only task I don't enjoy on some level. Takes forever, makes a mess, nothing productive to show for it until 29349 steps later.
 
I dont think its critical to have them all the same length, but I trim them anyways. That is, if I get a new batch of brass.
I pit a light taper crimp on them, and I like the degree of crimp to be consistent.
But I do that with handgun ammo, too.
 
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