I wonder if some of the usual reloading theories aren't applicable with a low pressure cartridge like the 30-30.
With the crappy weather, I loaded up a bunch of 30-30 ammo for the range. I just bought a new (to me) Win 94 so have something to compare my Marlin 336 to now.
I shot a box of Federal factory 150 with both rifles and used the cases for reloading. I have the Stoney Point headspace tool - highly recommended.
New brass measured 1.474 at the shoulder. This was with Winchester brass since I didn't have any unfired Federal left.
I assume my Marlin has pretty loose headspace - I'll have to make up a set of headspace gauges over the winter to test it. But it's a great shooter.
I always get protruding primers with anything approaching factory speeds.
The Federal fired brass measures 1.495 to 1.497 at the shoulder. Overall length was 2.024 to 2.025.
The Federal fired brass from the Win 94 looked good with good primers.
I was surprised to measure it at 1.495 at the shoulder and 2.023 to 2.025 overall length.
So on the gun with loose headspace, the shoulder didn't get pushed forward like the books say. The brass didn't stretch like the books say.
Another odd thing - when I full length resized, my RCBS die would not push the shoulder back any further than 1.493. I wound the die down until my press was bottoming out on the die. Not a problem, it works fine in my guns.
With the crappy weather, I loaded up a bunch of 30-30 ammo for the range. I just bought a new (to me) Win 94 so have something to compare my Marlin 336 to now.
I shot a box of Federal factory 150 with both rifles and used the cases for reloading. I have the Stoney Point headspace tool - highly recommended.
New brass measured 1.474 at the shoulder. This was with Winchester brass since I didn't have any unfired Federal left.
I assume my Marlin has pretty loose headspace - I'll have to make up a set of headspace gauges over the winter to test it. But it's a great shooter.
I always get protruding primers with anything approaching factory speeds.
The Federal fired brass measures 1.495 to 1.497 at the shoulder. Overall length was 2.024 to 2.025.
The Federal fired brass from the Win 94 looked good with good primers.
I was surprised to measure it at 1.495 at the shoulder and 2.023 to 2.025 overall length.
So on the gun with loose headspace, the shoulder didn't get pushed forward like the books say. The brass didn't stretch like the books say.
Another odd thing - when I full length resized, my RCBS die would not push the shoulder back any further than 1.493. I wound the die down until my press was bottoming out on the die. Not a problem, it works fine in my guns.
