Uses for trimmed too short 30-30 brass?(also load suggestions for lvr and 160 gr ftx) - The Firearms Forum

JTofGPD · 09-29-2012, 11:05 PM

I managed to trim many of my 30-30 brass too short. As I recall minimum trim length is 2.290 and max is 2.390. What do I do with the brass that is 2.270-2.290"? Toss it? Load it with light loads and hope it stretches?
I normally load Leverevolution with the 160 gr FTX... I Hate to throw out 100 or so cases but for $40 I guess buying new is cheaper than an accident... Also. I have used 33 gr LVR and 160 gr OAL of 2.54"(trim length 2.30") with decent results out of my marlin glenfield, but not like the factory LVR (1" groups at 100 yds). Any load suggestions?

Sry, this post ended up being a two-fer. Any help is appreciated.

BillM · 09-29-2012, 11:21 PM

I'm a little confused here. You are saying the range is 2.290-2.390???

I'm seeing 2.029-2.039 as the range for 30-30.

SOOOO---assuming you are having a bad decimal place day, your "short"
brass is 2.027?? TWO THOUSANDTHS of an inch under minimum?

If that's the case, just load it.

JTofGPD · 09-29-2012, 11:46 PM

Yeah bad decimal place... Been a bad week... Figured it would be good to reload but i've had a harder time with consistent accuracy with the 30-30 than my 30-06, 223 and 270.

steve4102 · 09-30-2012, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTofGPD

Yeah bad decimal place... Been a bad week... Figured it would be good to reload but i've had a harder time with consistent accuracy with the 30-30 than my 30-06, 223 and 270.

Lets start over so we don't have to assume anything.
What are your actual measurements?

JLA · 09-30-2012, 09:14 AM

Load it and shoot it.. it will grow back.

The .30-30 will shoot fine uncrimped just like any other bottlenecked centerfire rifle cartridge. Or you can just adjust your die to crimp the short brass and its good to go..

CampingJosh · 09-30-2012, 09:45 AM

As an aside, trimmed-to-short brass can often be used to convert to another caliber. http://www.amazon.com/Handloaders-Ca.../dp/1616082380

JLA · 09-30-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTofGPD

Yeah bad decimal place... Been a bad week... Figured it would be good to reload but i've had a harder time with consistent accuracy with the 30-30 than my 30-06, 223 and 270.

Thats an eay one to answer too.. The .30-30 isnt known as a tackdriver round. Not that it cant be, but mainly because its chambered mostly in a leveraction. And there are more pressure points against the barrel on a box stock levergun than there are on an accupuncture chart. 3 moa is about the norm for a good leveraction. Whereas just about any good bolt action will print half that.

Twicepop · 09-30-2012, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

Load it and shoot it.. it will grow back.

The .30-30 will shoot fine uncrimped just like any other bottlenecked centerfire rifle cartridge. Or you can just adjust your die to crimp the short brass and its good to go..

If you're going to shoot them single loaded in a lever gun they work fine. If you're going to load the under barrel magazine that lever guns have, they need to have crimp to prevent bullet set back because of recoil and magazine spring pressure.

JTofGPD · 09-30-2012, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

Thats an eay one to answer too.. The .30-30 isnt known as a tackdriver round. Not that it cant be, but mainly because its chambered mostly in a leveraction. And there are more pressure points against the barrel on a box stock levergun than there are on an accupuncture chart. 3 moa is about the norm for a good leveraction. Whereas just about any good bolt action will print half that.

Yeah, I'm figuring that out as Shoot it more. Its alright, but anything past 150 yards and it can no longer considered a "grouping".

The actual case measurements are in. I have about 40 cases that are between 2.021 and 2.027. Gonna toss the super short ones and load the 2.026-2.027.

JLA · 09-30-2012, 05:56 PM

even the super short ones are ok. In the glenfield leveraction im certain they will grow back to spec within one firing. They arent known for thier match grade headspacing tolerances.

JTofGPD · 10-03-2012, 10:13 PM

Thanks guys. If the wind dies down tomorrow and it's not snowing i am heading out to try em.

soundguy · 10-04-2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTofGPD

Yeah, I'm figuring that out as Shoot it more. Its alright, but anything past 150 yards and it can no longer considered a "grouping".

The actual case measurements are in. I have about 40 cases that are between 2.021 and 2.027. Gonna toss the super short ones and load the 2.026-2.027.

i don't think I've ever shot my marlin 336 OVER 150.. ever..

and my savage 30-30 bolt's never seen over 100...

09-29-2012, 11:05 PM	#1
JTofGPD V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wyoming Posts: 72	Uses for trimmed too short 30-30 brass?(also load suggestions for lvr and 160 gr ftx) I managed to trim many of my 30-30 brass too short. As I recall minimum trim length is 2.290 and max is 2.390. What do I do with the brass that is 2.270-2.290"? Toss it? Load it with light loads and hope it stretches? I normally load Leverevolution with the 160 gr FTX... I Hate to throw out 100 or so cases but for $40 I guess buying new is cheaper than an accident... Also. I have used 33 gr LVR and 160 gr OAL of 2.54"(trim length 2.30") with decent results out of my marlin glenfield, but not like the factory LVR (1" groups at 100 yds). Any load suggestions? Sry, this post ended up being a two-fer. Any help is appreciated. -->

09-29-2012, 11:21 PM	#2
BillM V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Amity Orygun Posts: 380	Re: Uses for trimmed too short 30-30 brass?(also load suggestions for lvr and 160 gr I'm a little confused here. You are saying the range is 2.290-2.390??? I'm seeing 2.029-2.039 as the range for 30-30. SOOOO---assuming you are having a bad decimal place day, your "short" brass is 2.027?? TWO THOUSANDTHS of an inch under minimum? If that's the case, just load it.

09-29-2012, 11:46 PM	#3
JTofGPD V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wyoming Posts: 72	Re: Uses for trimmed too short 30-30 brass?(also load suggestions for lvr and 160 gr Yeah bad decimal place... Been a bad week... Figured it would be good to reload but i've had a harder time with consistent accuracy with the 30-30 than my 30-06, 223 and 270.

09-30-2012, 09:14 AM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,328	Re: Uses for trimmed too short 30-30 brass?(also load suggestions for lvr and 160 gr Load it and shoot it.. it will grow back. The .30-30 will shoot fine uncrimped just like any other bottlenecked centerfire rifle cartridge. Or you can just adjust your die to crimp the short brass and its good to go.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-30-2012, 09:45 AM	#6
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,788	Re: Uses for trimmed too short 30-30 brass?(also load suggestions for lvr and 160 gr As an aside, trimmed-to-short brass can often be used to convert to another caliber. http://www.amazon.com/Handloaders-Ca.../dp/1616082380 __________________ Nothing posted on TheFirearmsForum.com constitutes legal, accounting, gunsmithing, or other professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for real advice. Your life is lived at your own risk. Don't blame me for the dumb things you do.

09-30-2012, 05:56 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,328	Re: Uses for trimmed too short 30-30 brass?(also load suggestions for lvr and 160 gr even the super short ones are ok. In the glenfield leveraction im certain they will grow back to spec within one firing. They arent known for thier match grade headspacing tolerances. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

10-03-2012, 10:13 PM	#11
JTofGPD V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wyoming Posts: 72	Re: Uses for trimmed too short 30-30 brass?(also load suggestions for lvr and 160 gr Thanks guys. If the wind dies down tomorrow and it's not snowing i am heading out to try em.