30 carbine handgun

[BIG Dog454]

Santa's bringing me a 30 carbine ruger handgun.  Anyone handload for the revolver? is there any reloading data that is different then the carbine load data in the books?  I'm thinking that 32 mag loading data might work ok. any comment on 32 mag data in the 30 carbine?

[clodbuster]

BD I go with the carbine data.  What I've seen uses ww296 and you can't do better in a magnum pistol.

[coyotejoe]

The 30m1 is a neat revolver round, although really LOUD. There is reloading data available for revolvers but you can also use the data for carbines, just recognize that you'll lose about 250-300 fps in a revolver due to both shorter barrel and the cylinder gap, but they still get right out there. The Speer 110 "Varminter" flat nose hollow point is a fine game bullet, I've taken a couple of deer with that bullet in the m1 carbine.

[Blackhawk44]

With standard carbine powders (2400/H110/296/etc), you won't believe the N O I S E !!  Look up some loads for the .32-20, especially under 'pistol' loads.  Case capacities are very similar.  These will probably be more in the range of what you are looking for while still leaving a good bit of room to work up should you ever want to.

[R.W.Dale]

I had the 7.5" model shooting factory ammo or handloads velocity would typically run just shy of 1300 fps with 110grn bullets


the 90grn xtp would clock just shy of 1500 when stoked with a stout charge of h-110

I found the velocities given in load manuals to be rather optimistic.

The 357 magnum is all over the 30 carbine in the velocity dpt in a handgun. In the .357 1500fps + is no problem with 110grn bullets.

But this should be no suprise .357 magnum is a good 250 fps faster than 30 M1 with the same bullet weights when fired from a carbine

[BIG Dog454]

Yes I realize that I can get 1400+fps from my .357, I can also push my .454C to 1800+fps with a 250 gr bullet.  but I think that the 30 carbine will be the ideal plinker and occasional varmint and killer to tote while taking a woods walk.  I really don't want to take my colt 32-20, although that is also ideal, (don't want to scratch it), and don't want to push the colt velocity wise;  But with the 30 carbine if I want to hot load it I'll feel secure in knowing that I probably won't damage it.

[R.W.Dale]

 I think you'll be better served by a .32 H&R just for the ease of reloading. Tapered cases that headspace on the case mouth can get to be a real PITA in a revolver.

[coyotejoe]

Ballistically, the .32 H&R is not in the same league with the .30 carbine. I never experienced the slightest problem in reloading the .30 carbine for a Ruger revolver. The carbine case is exceptionally thick and strong by handgun standards and especially thick at the mouth. My only complaint with it for reloading was that for years I didn't have a carbide sizer but then I found that RCBS does make one and that saved a lot of bother in case prep. I no longer have a revolver but still load quite a bit of ammo for my M1 carbine and those RCBS dies are just the thing. In a revolver the 30 carbine is a ballistic twin to the new .327 Federal.

[Pine Point]

  I have used the .30 M1 Carbine in a T/C Contender(10" twist) and never had any problems.  Since you are using a revolver,the only thing you need to be careful of is OAL.  The Contender will handle cast bullets up to 200 gr.  The new "LEE" loading manual has a good bit of .30 Carb data.
 

[BIG Dog454]

Thanks guys, I'm sure that I'll have fun with this one.