Marlin 30-30 reloading issue

[Eb1]

I have a Marlin 30-30 336W. I am reloading for the rifle, and have an issue with Speer Flat Nose 170 Grain bullets.

The OAL is 2.550 for 30-30. If I load to that lenght they will not chamber. Also if I load to the length that they will load. 2.530 and below. The crimping ring goes into the brass neck.

I am using a Lee FCD for the crimp so I imagine that should not be a problem, but do you think that it is a problem?

 

[loadedround]

Are these fired cases you are reloading? If so they may need to be trimmed prior to reloading. Most lever actions such as your 336 or a Winchester 94 have a tendency to stretch cases upon firing. Other than that I can't help you w/o seeing a case and bullet. However I do believe it is your case's overall length. :banghead:

 

[Eb1]

I haven't trimmed them.

Would shooting the loaded rounds cause harm.

 

[Galil5.56]

Any chance the shoulder is being crushed?

 

[Eb1]

Now this is a possibility. Some of the shoulders have a rigged place. what cause that? me forcing them into the chamber?

 

[The Bushmaster]

Resize, measure and trim those cases and try again. The crushed cases may be caused by the seating die being set too short and the installed crimp is functioning. Raise the die and insure that the crimp part of the die isn't crimping the round. Then run them through the Lee FCD.

If the cases are too long you are jamming the case mouth into the rifling and yes that will cause a higher then recommended chamber pressure. Remove the bullets, resize (again), measure and trim. Then reload them as above.

 

[rcmodel]

You need to always trim 30-30 brass, even brand new unfired 30-30 brass.

It comes from the factories with a much wider length variation then any other caliber I have reloaded. I have measured .030" or more difference out of the same box, and over .050" difference between brands.

Then factor in the springy actions on all lever-guns that lets the cases stretch when fired, and you can really have problems with untrimmed 30-30 brass. Especially when crimping them in the seating die.
Collapsed shoulders being the main one.


rcmodel

 

[scrat]

agreed you need to trim your cases. Then as bushmaster and the others mentioned proper adjustment of your dies is critical. Bulging shoulders is a sign of improper adjustment or excessive force when sizing or crimping.

 

[Koos Custodiet]

I just measured my 170 grain Sierra dummy cartridge. 2.550 on the dot. This round feeds, and the bullet touches the forcing cone. Marlin 336.

Yes, if the brass overlaps the cannelure it's because the brass has stretched. Brass should measure around 2.040.

But a 2.550 long round should feed and chamber, it's the spec. for 30-30.

Can you see where it's hanging up?

 

[Eb1]

not really. i just know that when i made them 2.500 up to 2.530 they would chamber.

I wonder if something is wrong with my gun?

Edit:::

I measured a 170 grain round nose federal and it is 2.500 on the money.

 

[rcmodel]

You can load a dummy round without primer or powder.
Then smoke it with a candle flame, and carefully chamber it & eject it.

That will clearly show you what is hanging up where.


rcmodel

 

[The Bushmaster]

Remember...Measuring from the pointy end to the case head may be different fitting in the chamber as one bullet manufacture may have a different Ogive angle then another...If in doubt...Do what rcmodel said about lamp black (candle flame)...

I trim my .30-30 cases to 2.035" and use a Speer 170 grain FNSP. My loaded rounds are 2.545" to 2.550". And fired in a Mod 94 with no problems...

 

[PO2Hammer]

[Can you see where it's hanging up?/QUOTE]

Probably in the same place most Marlins hang up. The bullet nose catches the reciever frame where the magazine tube ends. Marins are not tolerant of long ammo in any caliber. The carrier can be adjusted for a slightly longer C.O.L. by grinding the stop back. Obviously this is a permanent modification, but is commonly done to Marlins.

Make sure your ammo is right first.

http://www.marlinowners.com/

 

[Eb1]

I think it was the case length. I trimmed a case to 2.02, and created a dummy cartridge at 2.55, and it cycled fine without the bullet being pushed back.

I also noticed that the bullet I was using for my dummy had been squeezed by the LEE FCD. It was a little smaller at the crimp ring. The factory speer 170 grain were .300 at the ring, and .308 for the rest of the bullet.

The one I was using was .280 at the crimp, and .308 for the bullet. So I created a new dummy cartridge and adjusted my crimp die. It seem to work okay this time. I will update you later.

 

[Roccobro]

Congrats on figuring out the problem. But boy, .280 is A LOT of squeeze!

Justin

 

[Eb1]

Yes, I am learning to measure this stuff out. It is a tedious hobby to get into. A lot of trial and error in the beginning. I have found that out the hard way.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

It is a tedious hobby to get into.

Now that is a really harsh statement. Challenging, exciting, exhilarating, satisfying, demanding, exacting, educating, among many others, but tedious?

Relax, you'll get it. Just keep pluggin along. After 15 years I still have to ask questions now and then. Nothing to be embarrassed about. The reloaders on here are great!

 

[Eb1]

I wasn't being disrespectful. I enjoy it, but there is a lot of checking and rechecking.

 

[Roadkill]

Once you get it set up its easy. I have dies I haven't adjusted in years. And with practice you get better at it. Quick route for me when I get a new caliber and set of dies is to get a box of quality factory ammo, check it in the gun for function, then simply adjust the dies to fit the factory ammo. Keep a couple of these rounds for checking on settings and shoot the rest. I put fingernail polish on the brass/bullet junction to be sure I'm not seating the bullet as I adjust the die down.