Fireforming 30-30 to 38-55?

[eskimo36]

What no-bullet combination would work best to fireform 30-30 to 38-55? I know it will be .010 short but i only shoot low pressure loads with lead.  I have alot of 30-30 brass from a couple of recent trades. thanks guys.

[Jim Stacy]

Could you not just put a different expander ball, like a 357 mag expander in your 38/55 dies and bump all of them out and then go back to your 38/55 expander ball and finish moving the necks out? If you try to blow them out with a load  in one step the brass will probably split?
My .02 worth ?

[Paul5388]

I used about 5.0 gr of Bullseye with an over powder wad of tissue, fill it the rest of the way with grits/corn meal/cream of wheat/ or whatever and topped it off with more tissue.  It worked on most of what I tried, but I think it's a little light on powder or it didn't have enough resistance from the fillers.  I don't know if a light .30 cal. lead bullet on top of that load might not work better.  It certainly isn't going to get stuck in the bore.    I have some 110 gr .30 cal Carbine bullets I'll try and let you know. 

Even if the brass doesn't fire form perfectly, it will still iron out right the first time you load and shoot a .38-55 bullet in it.  I'm using 15.0 gr of 2400 with a 240 gr Oregon Trails cast bullet right now.

[eskimo36]

Thanks Paul5388
I have a bunch of lead 3030 bullets might just do it that way, but i think i will try the cornmeal method first.  I have quite a bit of 38-55 brass but i have several hundred pieces of 30-30 brass.

[44 Man]

A tapered expander to open up the neck, then a 375 lead round ball for muzzleloading and 8 gr unique.  Worked for me to bump up 30-30 cases to 375 win.  Remington brass seemed to give the best results.  44 Man

[Paul5388]

I just shot 5 rounds loaded with 5.0 gr Bullseye and a 170 gr .308" lead bullet.  The brass formed perfectly and the bullets hit halfway close to where I was aiming.    I was using Federal brass to do the job.

[eskimo36]

Thanks guys.