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Thread: Fire forming 30-30 to 38-55

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
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    3

    Fire forming 30-30 to 38-55

    My shooting range has very strict rules about keeping the muzzle downrange. Has anyone tried fireforming 30-30 to 38-55 by using a wood plug as a bullet to help increase the pressure? I have read here that firing with the muzzle vertical is the best method, but not allowed at my range.
    thanks

  2. #2
    Boolit Master MarkP's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Omaha NE
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    1,241
    I just used an elliptical expander (.375") and loaded with 18 gr 4198 & 255 gr boolits and shot them. I think I probably expanded in 2 steps from 30 cal .338, to .375. or used .358 expander then to .375" Lube the I.D. of the mouth with a Q-tip.

    When I load and fire I index the cartridge with head stamp; such as RP or WW at 12 o'clock position when chambering and when inserting into shell holder.

    The cartridges will be a little short when forming from 30-30 brass.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy marvelshooter's Avatar
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    Sep 2011
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    SE Mass
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    I have fire formed plenty of .38-55's by shooting a wax crayon into a cardboard box of rags on the floor and they come out fine. 5 grains of Unique and some corn meal or flour under the crayon plug.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
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    NV
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    I have fire formed 38-55 from 30-30 in almost the same way as marvelshooter, think I used a little more unique and topped off with Cream of Wheat and a wax plug. Fired horizontal at home fire forming, but I know some of us can't do that due to neighbors. Works well but be aware that the finished case is in the 2.000 OAL range, and that didn't work out well in my Winchester 94. In a single shot could be OK. I like the Starline new cases that are 2.085, or they seam best for my application. I gave up on the fire forming of 30-30 and 32 special brass into 38-55 at least for my application.
    Chris

  5. #5
    Boolit Master

    Loudenboomer's Avatar
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    Nov 2007
    Location
    North Western Minnesota
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    798
    I have done it with a method very similar to marvelshooter. Your formed 38-55 brass will be a little short. (No real problem especially if you need to use an oversized Boolit) . I have had problems with brass separation at the old 30-30 neck to shoulder. Annealing would help but I'm with cwheel. With good brass available I'll not bother with it.

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy marvelshooter's Avatar
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    Sep 2011
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    I did anneal the cases down to below the shoulder and only lost 1 or 2 out of 100. I did this fire forming to give me some cases to use while waiting for Starline to make another run of 2.125 cases which I am now using.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    SE WV
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    6,205
    Ya, 30-30 ends up way too short if you make 38-55 out of them.

    -Nobade

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check