Reloading Questions

Chromaflage · 12-10-2003, 04:17 AM

1. Is it worth the investment in all the gear to load your own steel shells?

2. I've got an older Savage/Stevens 30-30 bolt action. The only "over the counter" shells you can buy are the round nose - since most 30-30 guns have tube magazines. Does anyone know how to load a .308 boat tail/nossler or something other than the rounded nose bullet in a 30-30 cartridge?

thanks,

ORS

billc_sbio · 12-10-2003, 04:53 AM

Answers to your questions are "No" and "Yes"! :grin:

For "normal" Steel shot reloads it's most likely NOT worth you time/effort and the expense of buying the reloading equipment to do the job. If you already have a reloader it "could be"...depending on what you consider your time worth.

Steel shotshells "on Sale" are so reasonable, unless you're shooting something special, like maybe a 10 ga. (that are rarely ever found on sale) you can't load 'em as cheaply as the factories.

It's getting close to the end of the waterfowl season...start looking for "Blow Out" sales coming up on remaining stock... Stock up now for next season!

Now, about your .30-30... Just about ALL "30 calibers" shoot .308" diameter bullets. Just pick your favorite design of pointed tip bullet, within a "reasonable" weight bullet for your rifle (probably 150g to 170g) and go ahead and load it. You might need a different Seating Punch for your seating die (which will only cost a few $$$) that will handle the pointed bullets (if the existing .30-30 Seating Punch only accomodates Flat Pointed bullets).

StickFish · 12-10-2003, 06:50 AM

Can't answer the steel shot question, but I'll take a shot at the second one.

30-30 can be a very accurate cartridge especially in a bolt action gun. As you know the round nose and flat nose bullets are to keep the 30-30 from going off in the tube magazine of a lever action gun.

If you own a lever action 30-30, I would never suggest using anything BUT safe bullets in that rifle. No matter how careful you are someone else may make a mistake. Sorry!

Now if you happen to have a 30-30 bolt or box fed 30-30 go for at and follow the normal procedures for establishing seating depths.

Flatfish · 12-10-2003, 07:17 AM

Reloading steel is a great hobby. But you will not save much money doing it.

Pointed bullets work fine in a 30-30. Just make darn sure they stay out of the lever guns. I played around with a Remington 788 in 30-30 that was as sorta accurate. 1/4" accurate...

Mark and the MOA dog.

Chromaflage · 12-10-2003, 03:12 PM

Thanks for for the disclaimer and thanks to all for input so far. Yes, I know that the pointed tip bullets do not belong in a lever action rifle and I know that's why you can only get rounded nose. Now all I have to do is by the reloading equipment or fins someone who knows how to do it. :grin:

Flatfish - I like the 788 .308. Killed many a deer with that gun.

ORS

billc_sbio · 12-10-2003, 04:07 PM

ORS,

How MANY rounds do you need loaded?

I could possibly "help out" by loading up a limited number for you to experiment with...I have the equipment and dies.

Chromaflage · 12-10-2003, 04:13 PM

Not sure at this point. I'm not sure how much I need to invest. I'd have to wait until after mid January to get serious about it. But I'd be looking at a few sets of shells with different grain bullets and loads. Enough to try to determine the best combination of bullet weight and powder. I need to set a scope on top of it first - that's the tough part - I can't find mounts for the stupid thing. So, I might be putting the cart before the horse here. Just trying to figure out if it will be worth the effort.

Thaks!

ORS

billc_sbio · 12-10-2003, 04:24 PM

Hmm...look around some...

Look at/for Weaver Bases/Rings.

They might NOT be your 1st choice, but they make (or have made) them for EVERYTHING!

Chromaflage · 12-10-2003, 04:28 PM

I'll do that - I've been to several shows looking, but haven't been recently. Maybe I'll try it again after the first of the year.

ORS

12-10-2003, 07:10 PM

:blush: D'oh! :blush:

[ 12-10-2003, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: Keta ]

Chromaflage · 12-10-2003, 09:15 PM

Keta - what'd I miss, what'd I miss

:grin:

ORS

12-10-2003, 09:30 PM

I was asking what make and model your rifle was but you did mention it in the first post :blush: I don't have bases for this rifle.

billc_sbio · 12-11-2003, 01:47 AM

ORS,

Try going to AuctionArms.com and they have a "want list". People sometimes look there and who knows...someone might actually HAVE what you're looking for!

Also, just check the Weaver catalog (I think you might be able to do it online)...they may STILL have them.

Flatfish · 12-11-2003, 07:43 AM

Oh yeah,

don't crimp the Nosler. They don't need it in a bolt rifle. Hurts accuracy too.

Mark and the dog.

Wreckless · 12-11-2003, 08:37 AM

I handloaded steel shot for a while, but when you can buy Kent "Fast Steel" for $6.99 - $7.99 a box on sale at Bi-mart. I'll spend the time & $$ on other stuff, like.......DECOYS!

fishncliff · 12-13-2003, 11:51 PM

Lee makes a fine reloading kit for about 100$. Good starter kit for 1 caliber.Sportsmans has it for 89$ I think.
I started with 1 about 8 yrs ago and have expanded to 4 calibers now.
30-30 needs a separate crimp die, except Nosler bullets.
Good luck and have fun.

Chromaflage · 12-14-2003, 08:22 AM

thanks all for input

ORS