Flaring die and cast bullet size

Wendy:
The .30 caliber M die will flare as little or as much as neded. There are two sizes as per length of the die, longer one for mag length cases and shorter one for the shorter length cases. The one for .30-30 will be the same as .308, .30 carbine, and numerous others. This can be verified if you have the Midway catalog that has the M dies listed per caliber. But just for feeling confident, get the one indicated for .30-30.
 
Yes, but understand that while the flare part will go to any diameter, the step part has to be wide enough to accommodate the full bullet diameter to get the advantages of the straight seating. This is why Jim Watson said you may have to get Buffalo Arms to make one to suit your bullet diameter, or you can use the .32 mentioned by Mehavey. That gives me another idea, though. Just a minute while I head to the basement to make a measurement…

(Imagine elevator music of your choice here}

…OK. I'm back. I apologize for the wait.

What I have downstairs is a Lyman Multi-expander, a powder-through expander die for pistol cartridges. It costs more than the others because it comes with adapters for all common pistol chamberings, including .32 Auto, which uses the same bullet as the 32-20 rifle cartridge. The adapters are short, threaded things and there are two extensions provided that they may be screwed into, one being longer for reaching down into short cases and one being shorter for tall cases. So, I screwed the Multi-die into my Lee Classic Cast press to see if that short extension was short enough for a 30-30 case. It was not short enough for a .30-06, which, when I ran it up all the way, needed the die threads completely outside the press, but with a .308" case, which is just a hair longer than you 30-30 case, it worked great and left me with plenty of thread engagement. I stuck a 0.311" pin gauge in and it sat square and straight upright in the case mouth. Just what you need. However, rather than expend $34 on the Multi-expander, it looks like you can buy a Lyman M die for 32-20 for $20.25 (these are Midsouth prices; they are out of stock but Midway has them for $2 more) and that should work.

Call Lyman to verify the 32-20 die is right for your bullet diameter. They have several numbers:

800-225-9626
800-423-9704
860-632-2020

But I think that will work for you. The die threads may have to be screwed up a little higher in the press for the 30-30 case, but not too high for it to work.
 
Marlin's Micro Groove rifling needs the .311 size. Some of the older Winchester model
94's with worn throats and barrels can require them also.
Newer Winchester 94's can get by .309 diameter.
A .311 cast lead bullet will not damage a .308 dia. barrel but might not chamber easily in a tight throated rifle.
Try them and see is the only way .

The Lee universal neck expanding tool will work just fine , I've used one with 30-30 and cast bullets for 10 years .... it flares the neck and the bullet can be started...gas check bullets are no problem at all.
Gary
 
I got into a mess when I brought this one home. I loaded chamber full of some I had loaded for the Remlin 30-30 and when I chambered the first one it wouldn't engage the pin on the lever to fire. Stopped aa tad short. I finally squeezed it hard enough to fire the first round and done it for 3 more. I finally turned the die down about a 1/4 turn going in light increments until the brass fit after re sizing and it's good to go now. Shoulders not back far enough my guess.
 
Sorry for being late to your show Wendyj.
Next time you purchase give this business place some consideration for your cast bullet needs.
To be honest {I }prefer old school gas checks vs coatings of un-known chems which may or may not be a Carcinogen when handling or after digestion. (game fragramentation.)

http://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?...oducts_id=18&zenid=4of2vuri12r5np5vcqgl9hobl5

Check out their WIDE HP 150 gr. Its a dandy for 30-30 use.
 
Those are good looking bullets. Wish I had seen this before ordering the other ones. I ran a few loads of H4895 through at 21-28 grains. Going to stick with 22.5 grains. Blackened soot on brass at lower and higher. Now to see how much lead I'll be cleaning. Waiting on M die but a fired 270 round with a few turns in the 30-30 neck let it seat perfect with no shaving of lead. Hodgdon called for 17 to 21 grains with soft cast but case not half full at 17. These are a lot harder but now I'm going to have to order the ones in the link.
 
Nothing wrong with trial and error with the actual rifle. That's the best way to insure the round will feed , chamber and extract in the actual rifle you are using.
And it the cost is $0.00.
Wendyj...keep on with your trial and error method , you doing just fine.
Gary
 
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