30 Herrett trim die problem

[Jim M]

I just started to load for a 30 Herrett and have bought a set of Hornady dies and separately purchased a 30 Herrett trim die also Hornady.  I can't put a case mouth through the trim die unless I put it in the sizing die without the expander ball.  A sized 30-30 case won't fit in the hole in the trim die. I miked the hole in the trim die at .321 and a sized 30-30 case mouth is .327.  It seems like a simple operation to run the case into the trim die and cut and file down the case to proper length. Is it possible that the trim die is made with the wrong opening?  I wrote to Hornady but havn't received a reply yet. :cry:

[cbagman]

I just started to load for a 30 Herrett and have bought a set of Hornady dies and separately purchased a 30 Herrett trim die also Hornady.  I can't put a case mouth through the trim die unless I put it in the sizing die without the expander ball.  A sized 30-30 case won't fit in the hole in the trim die. I miked the hole in the trim die at .321 and a sized 30-30 case mouth is .327.  It seems like a simple operation to run the case into the trim die and cut and file down the case to proper length. Is it possible that the trim die is made with the wrong opening?  I wrote to Hornady but havn't received a reply yet. :cry:

  You are close to the problem. My RCBS trim die for .30 Herrett mikes .333 at the top and I lube up once fired cases and have no problems forming them. It would seem yours is small. :shock:  cbagman

[Hopalong7]

I have an older( mid 70's ) RCBS set of dies including trim die.  I've never measured mine but I know my trim die neck is slightly larger than my FL size die.  I lube cases and run them in the trim die to set back shoulder and form neck and trim to proper length.  At this point, the neck will not hold a bullet.  I have to run them in the FL size die ( actually I use a Hornady short neck die most of the time ) to bring the neck down to proper size.  Sounds to me that your dies have a problem.  Good luck with it and hope you enjoy the Herret.  After all these years its still one of my most favorite 10" barrels.  GOOD SHOOTIN',  Walt   :grin:

[bgjohn]

Here's a tip that will save you time. Size your 30-30 cases, run them through the trim die. Mark the cases. After that get a tubing cutter and trim the excess length. The run them  thru the trim die again and file to length.
JM

[Hopalong7]

Yep, I used a hacksaw for years then discovered the tubing cutter.  I cut mine a scouch long, then finish the deal in my Forester trimmer to make sure they're squared up and even. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt  :grin:

[bgjohn]

Yep, I used a hacksaw for years then discovered the tubing cutter.  I cut mine a scouch long, then finish the deal in my Forester trimmer to make sure they're squared up and even. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt  :grin:

Another great mind! I like the way you think. :lol:
JM

[jlk]

I take the 30-30 case and size it.  Then I use a Lee Case Trim Pilot from any 30 caliber length pilot, that I have cut to the proper length and rethreaded on my lathe. I use this in conjunction with the Lee case holder and trimmer, that is the one that you can chuck up in your drill. It cuts the case to the proper length and is square every time. I have made a few for other 30 Herrett shooters, it saves alot of time in the trimming process.

[braud357]

The entire time that I was shooting the 30 Herrett, the trim die stayed in the box. I hooked a drill to my RCBS case trimmer and trimmed away !

[bgjohn]

A tubing cutter is easier.
JM

[braud357]

yes, I suppose that 3 steps are easier than one !! (?) -- to each his own !

[bgjohn]

The entire time that I was shooting the 30 Herrett, the trim die stayed in the box. I hooked a drill to my RCBS case trimmer and trimmed away !

 :? That's a lot of trimming with that drill. It's like cutting firewood with your sander.

[bgjohn]

yes, I suppose that 3 steps are easier than one !! (?) -- to each his own !

I tried it your way then I got smart and used the tubing cutter. My way is better. The lathe idea is ok but most people don't have a lathe.
JM

[braud357]

It never posed a problem - worked for me. Whatever works for you is best. Plenty of ways to achieve the same end result.

[Hopalong7]

The main thing IS, we're all shooting one fine round.  Interest in both Herrets seemed to wane about a decade or so ago.  Used barrels came pretty cheap.  Just in the last couple years it appears that a lot of folk are going to them.  Especially the .30.  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt      

[cbagman]

:-D Right on!! Once you get past all that hoopla about being tedious to load for (old Sierra Load Manual), you find they both are very accurate and efficient chamberings.. under an inch at 100 yards is common..  from cbagman

[Jim M]

I found out from Hornady that I'm supposed to size the case without the expander ball in the die then run it into the trim die. This will work but I think I stell will have a problem with the trimming because of the length of the trim die and the problem of the trim die setting back the shoulder if it isn't set back far enough.  I may have to call Hornady again after I trim my brass another way.

[jschance]

When I trimmed up all my .357 Herrett, I made up a "trim die" by drilling a hole through a piece of hardwood the outside diameter of the neck of the 30-30 case, then used a drill with the diameter of the body of the case and drilled it deep enough so the case sat with the rim flush on the backside of the block.  I then cut this block to a length slightly longer than what I needed.
 
I used it more as a guide than an actual trim die, but then cut the excess off using a fine toothed hacksaw.  This put me in the general neighborhood for length.  I finished it off using a power adapter in my trimmer.  I was able to do 100 cases in a couple evenings of work without spending any additional money on a trim die, and in my case that was a good tradeoff.

[fyrepowrx]

just finished smoothing up a large pile of very rough, sloppy, hacksawed case necks yesterday ... guess i should have joined up on this site a long time ago! dunno why i never thought of doing it the easy way...
anyone got any easy recipes for dealing with ex-wives, the Infernal Revenue Service, and teenage kids? (had to ask... after all i have been hacksawing case necks for 20 years...)

[bgjohn]

You should'a used a tubing cutter.
JM