30-223

[brstevns]

Can anyone tell me about this cartridge? Can brass be formed without the cost of buying a set of dies. Thinking maybe use a 6x45 die then expand neck with a 30 cal die. I would think annealing would be necessary/ help please.

[rockrat]

I have a lee 30-30 die with a really nice taper expander and I can do it in one pass. Will anneal after forming. I think you can get a size die from CH for about $65 and probably be able to seat bullets with a 300 blk seat die.

[KLR]

I run the .223 through a 7mm TCU die and then a 300 Blackout (set off the shell holder so the shoulder doesn't get pushed back) to open to 30 cal. Then I seat and crimp with the 300 Blackout set.

No annealing, but lube well.

[jhalcott]

A friend who has passed, had a rifle built for this round. With both of us alternately shooting from the bench, we got groups of an inch. The gun weighed about fifteen pounds and wore a 20x Leupold scope. He died before I could talk him out of it!!

[brstevns]

I run the .223 through a 7mm TCU die and then a 300 Blackout (set off the shell holder so the shoulder doesn't get pushed back) to open to 30 cal. Then I seat and crimp with the 300 Blackout set.

No annealing, but lube well. Then it would be possiable to use a 6x45 die first, these I have. Then go to the 300 blkout dies. After firing I could use the blackout die to just neck resize? Blackout dies or a lot cheaper and easier to get.

[KLR]

Then it would be possiable to use a 6x45 die first, these I have. Then go to the 300 blkout dies. After firing I could use the blackout die to just neck resize? Blackout dies or a lot cheaper and easier to get.

Likely so. I also just neck resize with the 300 Blackout dies.

[Iowa Fox]

Wonder if any 30TCU dies exist anymore

[brstevns]

Wonder if any 30TCU dies exist anymore Being on a very small fixed income, any dies I would get, would have to be cheap!

[leadman]

Look at the case dimension. You might find a Lee Collett die that will work. Years ago when I had my T/C 30-30 barrel rechambered to 30-30 AI I bought a Hornady 30 cal. neck size die to resize the neck. Still have it and use it.

I am not sure if a 223 Rem collett die can just have the mandrel changed out for a 30 caliber one or not. Lee does offer oversized mandrels for $10.

[brstevns]

Look at the case dimension. You might find a Lee Collett die that will work. Years ago when I had my T/C 30-30 barrel rechambered to 30-30 AI I bought a Hornady 30 cal. neck size die to resize the neck. Still have it and use it.

I am not sure if a 223 Rem collett die can just have the mandrel changed out for a 30 caliber one or not. Lee does offer oversized mandrels for $10. Hmmm! I will look into that.

[brstevns]

Hmmm! I will look into that. Have to make a special run. Not going to happen.

[leadman]

I'll call Andy Lee tomorrow and see if he has a way to put one together.

[bruce drake]

I rechambered a 300 Blackout upper to 30-223 last year. CH-4D Dies (http://www.ch4d.com/products/dies/caliber-list?filter-col=caliber&filter=30-223 )has them in stock and the reamer can be rented from www.reamerrentals.com to cut a new chamber for your rifle.

I run it as basically a Magnum 30 Carbine. I don't hotrod the caliber but it does give me more velocity with 110gr bullets than my original 300BLK but I've dropped the desire to load it with heavy bullets like the older 300BLK loads.

Bruce

[brstevns]

I rechambered a 300 Blackout upper to 30-223 last year. CH-4D Dies (http://www.ch4d.com/products/dies/caliber-list?filter-col=caliber&filter=30-223 )has them in stock and the reamer can be rented from www.reamerrentals.com (http://www.reamerrentals.com) to cut a new chamber for your rifle.

I run it as basically a Magnum 30 Carbine. I don't hotrod the caliber but it does give me more velocity with 110gr bullets than my original 300BLK but I've dropped the desire to load it with heavy bullets like the older 300BLK loads.

Bruce want to try 170gr to 200 gr

[bruce drake]

I've got 150gr bullets loaded up but I haven't had a chance to run them over a chronograph yet.

[brstevns]

I've got 150gr bullets loaded up but I haven't had a chance to run them over a chronograph yet.
Would like to hear how they do. Still waiting for the barrel to arrive.

[bruce drake]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?183629-223-wildcat
some previous work on this wildcat.

[brstevns]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?183629-223-wildcat
some previous work on this wildcat.
Thanks, it was a good read.

[bruce drake]

The thread will help to keep you from going down the same road and wasting components and cash.

[KLR]

What is your goal for this? Is this a bolt action? Barrel length and twist?

My Handi rifle has a 16" barrel. The Blackout chambering had a really long leade to use with heavy bullets, but my 30-223 has a short lead for use with light bullets. A heavy bullet would have to be seated so deeply that case capacity in the 30-223 would be greatly reduced.

[leadman]

Can't get thru to Lee this morning but did look at a couple of things. Hornady makes the 30-30 Short neck sizer, Graf has it in stock for $25.00. On Lee's website they have Collet dies and Collet die parts for sale. I got out a 7.62X39 and 223 case. With a spacer on the shellholder it might be possible to use the 7.62X39 Collet die to size the neck. The X39 mandrel is .3055" so should work for sizing for a boolit. If not enough neck tension the mandrel can be put in a drill and turned down some.
The neck die will work and probably less hassle. Then again the 300BO might work but might be too short to thread into the press and still adjust to size the longer cartridge. Could do this first to see if another sizer/seater is needed.
I'll try Lee again in a bit.

[brstevns]

What is your goal for this? Is this a bolt action? Barrel length and twist?

My Handi rifle has a 16" barrel. The Blackout chambering had a really long leade to use with heavy bullets, but my 30-223 has a short lead for use with light bullets. A heavy bullet would have to be seated so deeply that case capacity in the 30-223 would be greatly reduced.

The barrel 17 inch, told it has a 1-10 twist, for a Savage Bolt action. Not sure what the lead is, til it arrives. Got the barrel in a trade.

[brstevns]

Can't get thru to Lee this morning but did look at a couple of things. Hornady makes the 30-30 Short neck sizer, Graf has it in stock for $25.00. On Lee's website they have Collet dies and Collet die parts for sale. I got out a 7.62X39 and 223 case. With a spacer on the shellholder it might be possible to use the 7.62X39 Collet die to size the neck. The X39 mandrel is .3055" so should work for sizing for a boolit. If not enough neck tension the mandrel can be put in a drill and turned down some.
The neck die will work and probably less hassle. Then again the 300BO might work but might be too short to thread into the press and still adjust to size the longer cartridge. Could do this first to see if another sizer/seater is needed.
I'll try Lee again in a bit.

The short 30-30 might work or just get a set of 300 blk and adjust them as needed.

[bruce drake]

for the price of new 300BLK dies, just buy the real set.

[brstevns]

for the price of new 300BLK dies, just buy the real set. Cannot afford the real set!

[leadman]

I spoke with Andy and we discussed a couple of options. The 30-30 Collet Die collet can be shortened along with the decapper rod and put in a 223 Rem length die body. You would have to send in a couple of cases and a bullet and pay for the Custom Set, $70 for CD and Seater. If you can do the work yourself the extra parts needed can be bought from Lee, or just buy 2 collet dies to make one die.

[brstevns]

I spoke with Andy and we discussed a couple of options. The 30-30 Collet Die collet can be shortened along with the decapper rod and put in a 223 Rem length die body. You would have to send in a couple of cases and a bullet and pay for the Custom Set, $70 for CD and Seater. If you can do the work yourself the extra parts needed can be bought from Lee, or just buy 2 collet dies to make one die.
Thanks for doing all this work. Will to decide once the barrel arrives. 70.00 is a lot for me to spend.

[leadman]

Yeah, I would try to use what dies I have on hand also to try to reload this case.

[brstevns]

Wonder if a set of 223 rem dies could be opened up ?

[wmitty]

Didn't see it mentioned, so I'll ask. Why can't the cases be fire-formed in the chamber? I do this using .270 Win brass in a .35 Whelen with good success. Is there a problem I don't see?

[rockrat]

Might be able to find a set of 30 herrett dies to size the neck and deprime and find a used 223 set at a gunshow and find someone to cut off the top of the die to where the neck of the 30-223 will just pass thru the opening for the neck and use it to size the body of the case. I plan on doing that for my 30-223.

Someone here might have an unloved 223 die to sell you. Possibly also a 30-30 die and have someone cut off a bit off the bottom of the die. Or if you could find a 30 mauser die set for neck sizing.

[brstevns]

Didn't see it mentioned, so I'll ask. Why can't the cases be fire-formed in the chamber? I do this using .270 Win brass in a .35 Whelen with good success. Is there a problem I don't see?
This might work, but still would need to re-size the neck and seat a 30 cal. bullet after firer forming.

[brstevns]

Might be able to find a set of 30 herrett dies to size the neck and deprime and find a used 223 set at a gunshow and find someone to cut off the top of the die to where the neck of the 30-223 will just pass thru the opening for the neck and use it to size the body of the case. I plan on doing that for my 30-223.

Someone here might have an unloved 223 die to sell you. Possibly also a 30-30 die and have someone cut off a bit off the bottom of the die. Or if you could find a 30 mauser die set for neck sizing. Thanks for the information.

[KLR]

What dies do you have now?

[brstevns]

What dies do you have now? 223 rem. 6x45 and 30-30

[KLR]

223 rem. 6x45 and 30-30

Have you done any experimenting?

I have. The 30-30 die will open a 223 to 30 cal and properly resize about .160 of the neck. If you grind about .125 off the end of the 30-30 die it will fully neck size your brass. I just did several without problems. Lube well, take short strokes, and rotate the brass to be sure everything is symmetrical.

If I had your dies I'd resize in the 6x45 and then use the 30-30 for neck sizing after that. If you don't want to grind your 30-30 die, I'll bet you could find one cheaply here on the forum.

[brstevns]

Have you done any experimenting?

I have. The 30-30 die will open a 223 to 30 cal and properly resize about .160 of the neck. If you grind about .125 off the end of the 30-30 die it will fully neck size your brass. I just did several without problems. Lube well, take short strokes, and rotate the brass to be sure everything is symmetrical.

If I had your dies I'd resize in the 6x45 and then use the 30-30 for neck sizing after that. If you don't want to grind your 30-30 die, I'll bet you could find one cheaply here on the forum. Thanks, that is a great idea.