Neck-sizing for lever guns

hansol

hansol

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Hey all,

I`m curious as to what happens if you neck-size once-fired brass and use it again in the lever-action rifle it was ejected from.

I just bought a marlin 336 30-30, and would like to reload for it, but here is the catch: all the reloading I have ever done has been with a classic lee loader. (yes, the one with the hammering and the `dipper`) I`ve reloaded this way for my 303 british longbranch SMLE, and has worked surprisingly great. (And don`t be too quick to roll your eyes; I have loaded over 500 rounds this way, and get 3inch groups at 200 yards with that beast. Anyways, thats a different topic)

I`m just curious what happens if you try and chamber neck-sized reloads from a 30-30 classic lee loader into a lever-gun.

Thanks guys -Cameron
 
hansol: You'll have to try it and see. Some of the Lee dippers tend to throw charges quite a bit below maximum so you may find it works fine. Certainly don't full length size any of my cast bullet loads even though they are only about 10 % velocity below max.
 
stocker,

And your cast loads chamber alright? I've been searching all over the interent trying to get an answer to this, but can't find anything really all that definitive.
 
I have used a Lee Loader in 30-30, and some tend to require more pressure on the lever to close the breech. I haven't used the measure that came with it though. 28gr of 3031 under 170gr bullet isn't a max.load, but it still stretches the cases enough to make closing the action a little tough. KD
 
How do your fired brass fit in your chamber? If they are not too tight you should be good to go with neck size only. If they are hard to chamber you might need to full length. The Lee hand press has served me well for most of my reloading.(not the ones you use, but the one that uses ordinary dies) I started with it and graduated to a larger press later.
 
Full length resizing was the only way to got for me to ensure that all my rounds chambered. With the medium loads that I was using, I got six to nine loadings before the cases started to split.KD
 
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hansol: yes, my loads chamber fine. I usually ran the case in the die to about 1/10" of full length resizing. There may be a small amount of lower case resizing occuring but it is minimal. My cast bullet weighed 197 grains for my 30-30 and velocity was just over 1900. A similar load in my 32 Special with a 185 grain cast also works fine sized like that. It will depend on just how much pressure your loads are developing. If in doubt, full length resize. As previously stated by iceman 2 if your fired cases rechamber you will probably be O.K. You do have to watch overall length of the case as 30-30 brass does tend to stretch a bit with resizing. Try a fired case for fit then retry it after sizing. If it feels tighter it's likely to be the length but you can measure that to be certain.
 
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the advice. Basically try and chamber the loads, and if they work alright, then I'm good to go?

Also, while we're at it, what is the heaviest round a guy can use in a 30-30? I've been trying to find some 200gr roundnose jacketed solids, but aren't sure if that is safe/possible?

Thanks -Cameron
 
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Once the brass has been fired in my winie I use a Lee Neck Sizing die. I have yet to have a case feeding problem. Cases obviously last much longer as a side benefit. I shoot only cast out of my 30-30 (311041 Boolit).

Take Care

Bob
 
There are heavy jacketed bullets that could be pressed into service, they are meant for the bigger thirty cals. and may not expand much at 30/30 vels., their crimping groove (cannelure) will not match up with your oal. requirements. You would be better off to find a good cast bullet with a gas check and a flat point from 180-200grs.
 
I started out using a Lee hand loader for the 30-30. I worked, but I found the neck tension insufficient for tube mag use, even crimped, unless I used as cast cast bullets.
I did have issues with cartridge fit in the chamber, when I used close to max loads. The '94 Winchester had enough leverage to allow me to squeeze them home however, and thay shot fine.
Other than that, it's slow as hell.
 
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