.30-30 loads for model 94

[AlaskaMike]

I'm starting to load .30-30 for the first time for my brother's pre-war Winchester 94, and had a couple questions. I set up the dies to do a roll crimp, but it's really hard to keep it from buckling the cases a bit. I've read that in a tubular magazine you should always roll crimp, but wasn't sure how critical it was. If it's not that important I'd like to not have to worry about it.

Also, anyone have any favorite loads? I noticed in "Pet Loads" that Ken Waters seemed to like 28 grains of 4895 under a 170 grain cast bullet, so in my first loads I used that charge with RCBS 180 flat points. In addition to IMR-4895 I also have H4198, and IMR-4227 and 2400 for plinkers.

Thanks,
Mike

[Don McDowell]

If you're buckling the cases you need to back off the crimp quite a bit. I don't use anymore crimp than it takes to smooth out the flare on the case mouth.

I shoot mostly 18 grs of 5744 with 170 gr cast now, but 15 grs of 2400 served me well for alot of years as did 8grs of unique.

[runfiverun]

i use everything but what you have for my cast loads aa-2230, h-414, 3031
my 94 shoots cast better and faster then it will jacketed.
a slight bump is all you need to feel on the crimp, and make sure the cases are all the same length.

[jh45gun]

Get a Lee Factory Crimp Die in 30/30 perfect crimps every time.

[454PB]

Keep all brass trimmed to the same length, and/or use the "feel" method as you crimp in a separate operation from seating.

[MakeMineA10mm]

I just found a box of handloaded R-P brass 30-30 loads in my dad's basement. (I have no idea where these came from since my dad never owned a 30-30...?) There was a note inside that said they were loaded with 8grs of Unique. I pulled one of the boolits, and the powder looked like Unique and it weighed 7.9grs...

I'm gonna fire them, but the important thing is that it seems this load has been a long-time known accurate light load for the 30-30. I will see how these do and load more like them if they're accurate.

[Larry Gibson]

"Get a Lee Factory Crimp Die in 30/30 perfect crimps every time."

That is pretty good advise. However if you want the roll crimp with your die crimp in a seperate operation. Back the die out to just seat the bullets to proper OAL. A 1/16 or so shim under the die locking ring is the easiest way and you won't have to reset the die every time you load some. I use a horse shoe shaped shim so I can remove it without having to remove the die from the press. Once the bullets are all seated remove the shim and tighten the die back down. Back of the seating stem . Then simply run the loaded rounds through the die again to crimp.

Larry Gibson

[Bret4207]

Get a Lee Factory Crimp Die in 30/30 perfect crimps every time.

That was going to be my suggestion too. For that matter if the boolit is tight in the neck, has adequate neck tension that is, you may not need to crimp it. Crimping of any kind can size the boolit in the case leading to undersize boolits and poor results. Even the Lee FCD will do that if used improperly. A little experimenting will show if it's a problem.

[Hardcast416taylor]

That was the first lesson I learned about loading the 30 wcf. Keep the brass all the same length to avoid buckling the shoulders. The second thing I learned was use as little crimping force as possible. No problems since. :smile: Robert