FL Resize 30-30 or Bump Shoulders For Hunting

[razorback2003]

Would you bump back the shoulders .002-.003 inch for 30-30 cases used for hunting or would you full length resize the cases with the die touching the shell holder? This is for a tubular magazine 30-30. I figured out that I can neck size 30-30 and single load the cartridges fine but the cartridges are sometimes sticky when loading a few in the tubular magazine.

I know case life is less if I FL resize the cases with the die touching the shell holder but it would be nice to not have any reliability problems when the gun is dirty and hunting.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Full length

 

[witchhunter]

You should always full length resize for a lever gun. But you do not need to adjust your die to size it too far. Adjust it so that it bumps enough to cycle in your chamber no problem, but if you size it too far it could create headspace issues.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Ammo for leverguns should be full length sized IMO.

 

[razorback2003]

So let the die touch the shell holder when I FL resize for max feeding reliability?

 

[oldreloader]

Ammo for leverguns should be full length sized IMO.

I agree. I always FL size lever and auto ammo.

 

[4895]

I only use a FL die setting for .30-30 WCF in a lever-action. You could adjust the die incrementally while attempting to chamber the brass in your rifle between adjustments. When you feel like its where you want it, you could set the lock ring and keep your setting.

 

[Slamfire]

So let the die touch the shell holder when I FL resize for max feeding reliability?

No, buy case gages, like this Wilson type, and using the gages, see just how far the shoulder has moved. Then push the shoulder back about 0.003"



I have a 80's vintage Marlin 336 that has a huge chamber.



The shoulder was cut so deep that the rim of a fired cartridge almost hangs out of the case gage. The extra volume created by this huge chamber is such I am 2 grains over maximum loads recommended by reloading manuals, to get 2150 fps with a 170 grain bullet.

These are my two best loads at 100 yards, and they are over the maximum in reloading manuals.





Full length resizing cases that come out of a chamber like this will simply cause case separations in short order. In this rifle, I slathered new cases with sizing lube, or paste wax, so the case would not grip the chamber walls on the first firing. Once the case was fire formed to the chamber, and the shoulder only set 0.003" back, the risk of case breakage due to excessive shoulder to base headspace was eliminated.

I also cannot set the bullet deep enough to touch the lands. Tried that as an experiment using a 170 grain bullet. The bullet was barely inside the case mouth, I inserted it into the chamber, and was expecting the throat to soft seat the bullet. Instead, no bullet set back at all. The combined length of case and bullet was so long that it would not eject from the loading port and I had to remove the lever, and then the bolt, to get the cartridge out. After examining the bullet and finding no marks, I concluded the throat was way the heck up the barrel. Then on, I simply seated to the bullet cannelure.

I am of the opinion that Marlin used a new reamer in my rifle, a reamer so large they could cut a lot of chambers before it wore out.

 

[Blue68f100]

Full length size. But only move the shoulder back around 0.002"-0.004" to reduce wear on the brass. No need to over work the brass. So the die may or may not touch the shell holder.

 

[Walkalong]

No, buy case gages, like this Wilson type, and using the gages, see just how far the shoulder has moved. Then push the shoulder back about 0.003"

This is what I do in the .30-30, get the shoulder position and move it about .003. Just make sure they all chamber easily.

 

[jcwit]

I neck size 30/30 cases for 3 or 4 reloadings in the same rifle, then full length resize.

Why does one "need" to full length resize for every reloading?

Millions of 30/30 ammo has been reloaded using the Lee Loader which only neck sizes the cases.

Add-on, I should have made note these are loaded for shooting in a Win., 94 AE.

 

[jcwit]

No one has an answer to my question?

 

[Walkalong]

The more advanced/experienced reloaders like your self can do that, and they know when they need to FL resize, and don't get caught in the field with rounds that jam up.

But, we are not giving advise to seasoned reloaders, we are giving advise to new reloaders.

The best advise for them is what was given, IMHO.

 

[243winxb]

jcwit

I neck size 30/30 cases for 3 or 4 reloadings in the same rifle, then full length resize.

Why does one "need" to full length resize for every reloading?

Millions of 30/30 ammo has been reloaded using the Lee Loader which only neck sizes the cases.

Add-on, I should have made note these are loaded for shooting in a Win., 94 AE.
No one has an answer to my question?

The powder charge used for the Lee "hammer" classic loaders are not full power. The brass does not expand like normal factory loads. Very easy to get 3 or more loading when neck sizing only. Neck sizing may not work if the chamber is oval or the bolt face is not square to the chamber. So yes, its possible to neck size only for auto or lever or pumps. But when hunting, you want to know for sure, each round will chamber with no problems. Shooting heavy loads in 30-30 Contenders will require FL sizing every time.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

For hunting, I always full length size my 30/30's.

For playing, testing loads, development, or screwing around, I neck size and just kiss the shoulder to push it back a bit. This way I get the best accuracy and casing life at the expense of easy chambering.

 

[243winxb]

Neck sized for load development may not be a good idea. The 223 has a 4% case volume increase from new to fired brass, (gov. testing). But most firearms may not know the difference ??

 

[MEHavey]

You "can" bump the shoulder for a 30-30 (the original question), -- BUT -- the operator must have established the maxium
shoulder-based headspace dimension that will chamber in the rifle with no discernable resistance at all. That requires either
an RCBS Precision Mic or a Hornady Headspace gauge (best).

Then you resize to 0.002" less that that, and measure each case as it leaves the press to ensure that differing case
springback hasn't still left you long.

But this is semi-advanced reloading, and not at all quick & dirty

 

[Walkalong]

Agreed, .002 or .003 isn't much, and takes attention to detail. And as noted, not all cases respond exactly the same to the sizer die.

 

[jcwit]

Thanks Walkalong & 243winxb for the explanation, I was over thinking the reason why.

 

[Elkins45]

I neck size 30/30 cases for 3 or 4 reloadings in the same rifle, then full length resize.

Why does one "need" to full length resize for every reloading?

Millions of 30/30 ammo has been reloaded using the Lee Loader which only neck sizes the cases.

Add-on, I should have made note these are loaded for shooting in a Win., 94 AE.

I don't load 30/30 but I do shoot quite a bit of lead bullet loads from 308. I have been using the Lee collet neck sizing die for the past year and I have discovered that I have to full length size them only every 3-4 loadings or the bolt starts to become hard to close.

There's no doubt that neck sizing has absolutely extended case life dramatically. There's also no doubt that if I were loading ammo for a serious use like hunting that I would start will full length sized cases, or at least run them through the chamber to check them before heading afield.

 

[jcwit]

I'm so old and crippled up that hunting isn't an option anymore.

But I can still target shoot!

 

[gamestalker]

Shell holder touching or not touching the die isn't a conclusive manner of resizing brass and depending on the chamber dimensions and die, could result in too much bump, or not enough. The best method is to measure head to shoulder of brass fired from the chamber, then adjust the FL die to bump the shoulders .002" - .003".

The die does not represent the dimensions of your chamber, the brass does once it's been formed in that chamber.

GS