Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 30-30 loading question

I'm new to loading for the 30-30, and using a Redding A series FL die set. So far the only bullet I've loaded is the Hornady 160 FTX.

I tried the usual set-up for the seater die, put a case in the shell holder, put he ram is all the way up, screw in the die until it contacts the case, and back off a full turn. The directions with the die didn't say anything different.

That didn't work, couldn't seat the bullet down far enough in the case, even with the seater stem screwed down as far as it would go. So I set the die down as far as I could, almost touching the case but it still won't seat the bullet down as far as the cannelure, it's about 2 mm short. The loaded rounds cycle in the action and the bullet doesn't stick in the lands but it seems odd that I can't seat down to the cannelure.


Anybody else run into this? The 160 FTX was made for 30-30s so it doesn't seem likely it's a bullet issue but maybe it is. I can swap out a longer seater stem from a different die or get a different one from Redding, just curious why this doesn't work out of the box.

Hmm. No, I had no problem seating them, but I was using Hornady dies.

Guy

I didn't have a problem with 160 FTXs either, using RCBS dies.

I use Lee 30-30 dies... just about have to bottom out the seating plug, but they do seat to the cannelure.

Need a longer seating stem (channeling my inner Cap'n Obvious here)

Are you sure you have the correct 160 FTX bullet? There were 2 versions. One for 30-30 and one for 30 Marlin Express.

Or as others have said, your seating stem is for traditional 30-30 bullets and not pointed ones.

Damn, wish I'd thought of that! Maybe they gave me the wrong stem.

Thanks for that, I didn't know they had two differnt 160 FTX's but I checked the box and I have the right ones for the 30-30, #30395.

I also have some Speer flat points, just seated one and with the die and stem cranked down as far as it they'll go, the case mouth just barely reaches the bottom of the cannelure.

Think I'll call Redding and ask them to send a new stem.

Another question, do you guys crimp yours?

I crimp using a Lee Factory Crimp die - cheap and works great!

Same here... Lee factory crimp.

I'm assuming you're using a Redding shellholder??

Yep, I crimp mine with a Lee Factory Crimp Die also. It’s the only rifle cartridge I crimp, as they are run in my M94 end to end in the tubular magazine.

I also trim all the cases to the same length every reload, that way the crimps are consistent.

Cap'n Pay Attention was snoozing, my bad

Smoke, shellholder correct as stated above?

Thanks for the replies. I've never loaded for a lever action with a tube magazine, do you guys crimp because you had problems with the bullets slipping, or just as an SOP?

I had that problem with my Redding 350 mag seating die. I called and a longer one was sent.

I screw the die down until it touches the case holder and the seater works fine.

If you have a tube mag lever gun, it's a good idea to crimp. If they are point to base and without a crimp, some could get hammered into the case mouth and raise pressures. If you are shooting them from a single shot or bolt gun, it doesn't matter as much and it's a matter of accuracy whether to crimp or not.

Does your seater have a crimp function?

No problem with RCBS in 30-30 and 32-40’s with 165’s. Can you email Redding, ask their advice?

Longer seating stem of 30-06. I assume the stem is longer??