Handloading .30-30WIN

Gbro

Gbro

Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2005
Messages
355
Location
MN
I was communicating with a friend about reloading for his Savage 99 that was originally chambered in 22 High Power and bored and chambered now for .30-30Win
He stated that he isn't interested in getting into reloading.
So I sent him what might be an encouraging picture of how it's not a huge investment to give it a try.
A similar kit in .357Magnum was my 1st step into a truly fantastic and rewarding hobby.
How many members here started out with a Lee kit (Whack-a-Mole)?
Image is from 10> years ago when i had 4 grandsons at the Shack reloading their own cartridges.
this one was 10 at the time.
Screenshot_20250426_094637.jpg
 
Thats how I started out 60 years ago with a 30-30 whack a mole loading setup and dippers for powder measures. Getting the crimp figured out was the hardest part. Then I started loading for .270 eventually getting a RCBS press kit that came with a lot if accessories.
 
I have never used the whack a mole kit, even had one loaned to me to try. I started with a 1981 RCBS RS single stage, still the press I go to. I SHOULD have tried the little Lee kit, looked like range time fun, but never did.
But I'm still wet behind the ears, only been reloading for 20 years and casting for 15, I know just enough to know I know nothing.
 
Gbro said:
I was communicating with a friend about reloading for his Savage 99 that was originally chambered in 22 High Power and bored and chambered now for .30-30Win
He stated that he isn't interested in getting into reloading.
So I sent him what might be an encouraging picture of how it's not a huge investment to give it a try.
A similar kit in .357Magnum was my 1st step into a truly fantastic and rewarding hobby.
How many members here started out with a Lee kit (Whack-a-Mole)?
Image is from 10> years ago when i had 4 grandsons at the Shack reloading their own cartridges.
this one was 10 at the time.
View attachment 1262377
Click to expand...
That's how I got stared in the 60's, 20ga was the first one.
 
I got started on a Lyman Spartan. I got Lee Loaders for .30-06 and .303 because they’re handy for load development at the range. I stopped everything handloading for a while because… Life. I got restarted handloading pretty quickly - on the Lee Loader (just .357) - then moved on to the Lee Hand Press, and then the RCBS Partner. I still use all the above from time to time.
 
gwpercle said:
In 1967 the Lee Classic Loader was selling for $9.95 and even a high school kid could afford one !
I was paid $3.00 a week to mow the lawn and my Dad chipped in a few dollars to cover the rest ...
And a I been an avid reloader ever since .
Still a good way to load a box of ammo !
Gary
Click to expand...
In 1967 I was not quite up to real firearms...still listening to Fisher Price music, as it were...I didn't get into reloading until a few people dragged me into it darn near kicking and screaming. Now I love it - literally just got done casting, powder coating, and loading up 100 9mm rounds. Great use of a few hours I would otherwise be wasting surfing the internet.
 
I did not start with the whack-a-mole kit, but I bought a few of them in my early journey to try. I was enamored with the idea of being lost in some forest and living with some minimalist ideal.

After that experience, I’d honestly rather hit myself in the hand with that hammer instead of load ammo with them. The Lee Scissor press, arbor presses, or other compact presses can be just as portable and can actually properly size ammo.
 
Varminterror said:
I did not start with the whack-a-mole kit, but I bought a few of them in my early journey to try. I was enamored with the idea of being lost in some forest and living with some minimalist ideal.

After that experience, I’d honestly rather hit myself in the hand with that hammer instead of load ammo with them. The Lee Scissor press, arbor presses, or other compact presses can be just as portable and can actually properly size ammo.
Click to expand...
😆😆😆 as did I. Although I still keep a Lee kit for 45 Colt.

OP if the Lee Loader kit gets your friend inside the tent, all to the good.
 
Boom Vang said:
Same here. My first start at reloading was the old Lee whack-it kit with dippers, 9x19mm. Good memories.
Click to expand...
You are correct in using another Colloquial name for the Lee Loader, "Wack-a-Mole" didn't exist until 1975<>
one issue I had with the .30-30Win kit was the neck sizing Only.
So for my 1894 Winchester I found it nessesary to dry run every piece of range pickup brass, otherwise I would find myself with a jamed action where the cartridge wouldn't feed from the elevator. This issue in time became worse and with my Gun mechanics knowledge below Sea Level I put the old Winchester away and purchased my 1st NIB.
I also ordered my RCBS press and enough to begin feeding a .270Win.
A friend borrowed a set of 30-30 dies and with those I was able to feed the old Winchester all day long for years, then the issue started surfacing again. I found that 1 bolt guide screw had backed out and of course enough so it was visible now so 3 screwdriver bent at differing degrees to blade and that ended a 20 year headache.
 
Since it's not a target or recreational rifle 10 box's of same lot number ammo would be fine for me. Been there done that. There are other good handloading projects out there.
Plus that's the wrong tool for the job with a lever or pump. Some will but most won't get away with neck sizing only . If guns could talk.
Mr TC , Ted Williams and Mr Marlin could back up my statement.
 
Gbro said:
You are correct in using another Colloquial name for the Lee Loader, "Wack-a-Mole" didn't exist until 1975<>
one issue I had with the .30-30Win kit was the neck sizing Only.
So for my 1894 Winchester I found it nessesary to dry run every piece of range pickup brass, otherwise I would find myself with a jamed action where the cartridge wouldn't feed from the elevator. This issue in time became worse and with my Gun mechanics knowledge below Sea Level I put the old Winchester away and purchased my 1st NIB.
I also ordered my RCBS press and enough to begin feeding a .270Win.
A friend borrowed a set of 30-30 dies and with those I was able to feed the old Winchester all day long for years, then the issue started surfacing again. I found that 1 bolt guide screw had backed out and of course enough so it was visible now so 3 screwdriver bent at differing degrees to blade and that ended a 20 year headache.
Click to expand...
I never used it for semiautomatic, pump or lever actions, just bolts and single feeder break actions. The way it was for me at the time I figured it was basically a bench kit for testing loads. It works fine for that. Of course, any straight wall case, too.
 
Show Me said:
Since it's not a target or recreational rifle 10 box's of same lot number ammo would be fine for me. Been there done that. There are other good handloading projects out there.
Plus that's the wrong tool for the job with a lever or pump. Some will but most won't get away with neck sizing only . If guns could talk.
Mr TC , Ted Williams and Mr Marlin could back up my statement.
Click to expand...
I've considered testing a small lot like a box to see how long you could use a lee loader before function becomes an issue, that knowledge or data has to be floating around here somewhere already.
 
AJC1 said:
I've considered testing a small lot like a box to see how long you could use a lee loader before function becomes an issue, that knowledge or data has to be floating around here somewhere already.
Click to expand...
Tight lockup, good headspace, well made brass , conservative loads. When the lever has to be slapped and the TC has to be cracked its time to FL size.
It's entertaining but what about the fella that has no other handloading equipment.
Open a bag of new brass.
Too many variables for a believable test.
 
Show Me said:
Tight lockup, good headspace, well made brass , conservative loads. When the lever has to be slapped and the TC has to be cracked its time to FL size.
It's entertaining but what about the fella that has no other handloading equipment.
Open a bag of new brass.
Too many variables for a believable test.
Click to expand...
I was thinking a box of factory no other treatment other than length "trimming" for saftey puropses... reduced loads would take longer, but is that how someone who uses one would load? I'm guessing a full power jacketed bullet would be standard fare for a wack a mole....
 
Thats what got me interested in reloading back in 1974 (I was 13). A friend had one to load .303 British. I had my gramps M94 30-30 and a Sako .243 Win I talked my mom into getting for me. So the guy at the gunshop we went to said I might as well get the RCBS Jr reloading kit. I did and still use it along with a couple Lee turret presses and the current hand press (love it). I load for about 20 cartridges. My son is also into reloading and my SIL is looking to get into it. Fun hobby but the coast and availability of components is getting crazy.
 
AJC1 said:
I've considered testing a small lot like a box to see how long you could use a lee loader before function becomes an issue, that knowledge or data has to be floating around here somewhere already.
Click to expand...
It’s totally gun specific. The reamers and other tooling wears out over time and that changes dimensions inside the chamber. Those dimensions are critical for sizing of any type but especially so for neck size only rounds.

Some models are known to be more picky than others though. I cut my teeth on .256 win mag and the Marlin 62 Was known to commonly have a chamber which allows the case to swell slightly at the base and then it will lock up the gun after a couple reloads. Similarly Glock “guppy belly” cases, and other unsupported chambers.

So how long will a case work that’s only being neck sized? It depends on a lot of factors. The fewer the number is the more concerned I would be with the safety of the gun generally.
 
Varminterror said:
I did not start with the whack-a-mole kit, but I bought a few of them in my early journey to try. I was enamored with the idea of being lost in some forest and living with some minimalist ideal.

After that experience, I’d honestly rather hit myself in the hand with that hammer instead of load ammo with them. The Lee Scissor press, arbor presses, or other compact presses can be just as portable and can actually properly size ammo.
Click to expand...
For some reason, I went right past the Lee Loader and bought one of their anniversary kits instead. It was a good starter press until it broke.

Soon after, I bought a Dillon 550. Time is money 😎
 
AJC1 said:
I was thinking a box of factory no other treatment other than length "trimming" for saftey puropses... reduced loads would take longer, but is that how someone who uses one would load? I'm guessing a full power jacketed bullet would be standard fare for a wack a mole....
Click to expand...
Proper trimming is listed in the instructions. As is the standard Lee hint at using starting loads. I actually have 06 , 308 and 30 30 used to show grandkids how simple it can be. And for my testing.
The crimp part took some extra coaching.
Their older now and paw paw isn't as cool as at one time. They all got tight . Some sooner than others.
Entertaining though.
We used plain old Hornady
Factory shot from those same guns to start out with. 20 empties is plenty
 
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