What Brass Inplace of .30 Carbine In RUGER NMBH?

[J.Solo]

I have a Ruger New Model Black Hawk in .30 Carbine.

Although I have a good supply of .30 Carbine Brass I would like to find a rimed case that could be fire formed to replace the rimless .30 Carbine Brass. Careful attention must be kept so the .30 Carbine brass is always trimmed to the right length as it head spaces on the mouth of the case. I would like to be able to skip the trim to length step every time I reload. I have a set of .30 Carbine RCBS Dies that I use to reload now.

Any other brass I could use?
What are all the steps required to change over to .30 Carbine?
Do I have to buy another set of Dies?
Where do I get the replacement Brass?


Thanks - J.Solo

[Lone Star]

I shot a .30 Carbine T/C for years in IHMSA competition (thousands of rounds), and I never once trimmed a case (after thie first time with new brass).  The FC cases I used didn't grow in my RCBS carbide dies, and I never had a misfire.  Don't add an unneeded step to your reloading unless you are actually experiencing a problem.  

The .30 Carbine brass is much tougher and thicker than any other similar handgun brass.  If you were to rechamber to .32-20 for example, the loaded round would be far too small for the .30 Carbine chamber neck.  Another reason to stay with the current chambering, and you won't be happy unless you get a new cylinder correctly chambered to .32 Magnum or .32-20.

[ricciardelli]

I have been using Remington .30 Carbine brass in all my firearms chambered for that round, and have never trimmed a case.  Including an original Ruger with a 2 digit serial number.

A mild taper crimp is all that is required.

[Steve P]

Lone Star and Ricciardelli are right on.  You could have the cylinder redone in 32-20, but it would be a wildcat round as it is just a little short.  You would need to order the RCBS 30-20 dies made for the .308 bore Contenders.  You will have to trim that brass also to get a good 30 caliber bullet to fit in the cylinder.  So....what have you changed?  Can't get much more velocity....

I have a Blackhawk in 30 carbine.  New ammo shoots fine.  I size and trim once fired military brass and it is good for 2-3 firings with no problems.  Get about 500 brass, size, trim with Lee trimmer, and you are good for 1500 shots without having to trim.  That's a lot of shooting.

Steve