What is 30-30 wall thickness supposed to be?

[hogship]

I've been looking at the specs given in my reloading manuals and the wall thickness of 30-30 (at the neck) isn't listed. Using my calipers, it looks to be around .011, while .270 and .308 looks around .015. This is probably why I'm having problems keeping the neck perfectly straight, but I don't know how accurate my measurments are.

I have been having some trouble reloading 30-30. Seems the resizing operation cants the neck slightly. I've been getting very good accuracy, but I can't help but think it might be better if this problem was solved.

The dies are Redding. My first attempt at solving this problem was to polish the expander ball. The polishing took about a half a thousandth off the original dia of .307". It's now about .3065". That didn't work.

I apply Imperial sizing die wax, brush case necks and apply mica to the neck interior prior to resizing.

Called Redding this week, and the tech advisor suggested getting a carbide expander button. It's on the way right now.

Anybody got any other ideas?

[Iowegan]

First, check your shell holder and make sure the head is going in the holder all the way. Sometimes crud builds up in the shell holder slot and prevents proper seating.

I learned a trick years ago when my necks were coming out canted. Bring the handle down just far enough for the case to contact the sizing die. Then lift the handle a little to allow the case to center, followed by a full downward stroke.

Take your sizing die apart and clean it well. instead of mica, use a very thin coat of conventional case lube (RCBS works good for me). Too much lube will cause dents in the shoulder so don't over do it.

You're right about the mouth thickness, 30-30s run about .005" thinner than most other cases.

[hogship]

Thanks for the suggestions, Iowaegan....

I'll check on those things. I asked this question on another forum, and have a few other things to check on, too.

I'll also check the neck run-out with the expander ball removed. This will tell me if the expander ball, itself, is where the problem is.

hog

[hogship]

I ran a test today. I resized several 30-30 cases with the original Redding expander ball, and several with the new carbide expander ball installed.

Success!

The cases FL sized with the carbide expander ball installed had necks that were noticeably straighter than with the original expander ball.

Case closed!

hog

[victorcharlie]

I suggest trying a L.E. Wilson neck sizing die.  The bullet seating die is the best one I've found.

[jd45]

Hogship, I tried to register on your website to ask you if you had flown for Lt. Col. Anthony B. Herbert. But couldn't. He commanded 2nd Batt; 173rd Airborne Brigade out of An Khe from Feb-April '69. He was plowed under because he saw atrocities being commited, reported them to his superiors, & when they swepted them under the "rug", went public. They assassinated his character because of it, & he was forced into early retirement.  Did you fly with that group? jd45 Thanx for your reply.

[hogship]

Hogship, I tried to register on your website to ask you if you had flown for Lt. Col. Anthony B. Herbert. But couldn't. He commanded 2nd Batt; 173rd Airborne Brigade out of An Khe from Feb-April '69. He was plowed under because he saw atrocities being commited, reported them to his superiors, & when they swepted them under the "rug", went public. They assassinated his character because of it, & he was forced into early retirement.  Did you fly with that group? jd45 Thanx for your reply.

jd45....

Sorry, but no, I didn't know him.

I flew with 135th Assault Helicopter Co., 1st Aviation Brigade.

hog

[hogship]

I suggest trying a L.E. Wilson neck sizing die.  The bullet seating die is the best one I've found.

victorcharlie.....

It's not advisable to neck size for lever action rifles.

hog