30-30 Winchester 94 tight chamber

Mark-II

Mark-II

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
63   0   0
Location
Wpg
I've got a post-64 model 94 Winchester 30-30. It chambers factory loads ok, but handloads always require a hard squeeze on the lever for the last few mm of travel.

This is the only 30-30 I have.

Previously I've not completely full length sized cases, so last night I tried this methodology:

Removed neck expander from the (RCBS) sizing die

Set die to kiss the shell holder, to full length size.

Lube and size half a dozen cases.

they are ALL tight.

I took a candle and smoked the cases, especially the neck and base, and chambered (the full length sized) cases to see where they are rubbing.

It comes as no real surprise that they all had a uniform bright band around the shoulders, as wide as the shoulder.

So what are my options here to get the shoulders set back that extra fraction?

Is there another brand of die that would serve me better than my old-as-dirt RCBS ones?

It's not a whole pile of fun shooting a rifle that you have to take down to your hip and wrestle with to chamber each new round.
 
I've got the die down to the shell holder already! ;)

The cases are also marked as having been trimmed the last time they were loaded. I've not measured them yet as I've only begun to process them, but this is a perennial problem with handloads in that gun for as long as I can remember.
 
Mine does the same unless I adjust to the shell holder and then 1/4 to 1/2 turn more. Just enough to give a slight bounce to the press arm. Chambers a round slicker'n dog snot.
 
Ta, guys. I'll give both of those options a try.

honestly we just use the gun as a fun plinker in the gravel pit.

My other 94 is a Big Bore .375 and it's a slick one. Apples to nuts since it's a straight walled case, though.
 
Previously I've not completely full length sized cases, so last night I tried this methodology:

Removed neck expander from the (RCBS) sizing die

Set die to kiss the shell holder, to full length size.
Click to expand...

That is one issue that could be causing your problem. To properly adjust the sizing die for full length resizing, you should be turning the die down until it bottoms on the shellholder, and then turn it down another 1/8 of a turn.
 
Don't grind any thing yet
if you do grind anything grind the shell holder it's only $10 and easily replaced not a $60 dollar die set

You do not have enough cam over on your press-- read the instructions for setting up your dies--- even youtube is your friend
 
stubblejumper said:
That is one issue that could be causing your problem. To properly adjust the sizing die for full length resizing, you should be turning the die down until it bottoms on the shellholder, and then turn it down another 1/8 of a turn.
Click to expand...

You should not have to grind anything.

Try this, turn it in an 1/8, try to chamber a case, if it's still tight, turn it in another 1/8 and try the chamber again.

I raise the ram and then lean on the arm to hold it still, then insert the sizing die until it touches the shell holder, then go another 1/4.
 
How many times have your brass been reloaded? If they are a bunch times gone over the brass may be work hardened, and requier annealing to "soften" the brass so it takes the effort you are putting into full length re sizing! Otherwise they may just be springing back and not chambering for you.If they have been trimmed this may be an indicator?
 
SoBored said:
You should not have to grind anything.

Try this, turn it in an 1/8, try to chamber a case, if it's still tight, turn it in another 1/8 and try the chamber again.

I raise the ram and then lean on the arm to hold it still, then insert the sizing die until it touches the shell holder, then go another 1/4.
Click to expand...

This is how to properly set up most FL sizing dies. If this does not work, on good brass, then I would either get a small base die, or mill off a little material from the shell holder, and keep it with the dies for THAT rifle only.
 
Solved it

I was talking to a clerk at Wholesale Sports and he claimed that all Lee dies have small base sizers. I bought the cheapie green box set, pulled the expander and FL sized one of the tight cases. Chambers perfectly now.

So the Lee dies are an option also.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom