First of all I just wanted to say that I have a Lee factory crimp die for my 30-30 is on the way and should be here no later than the 17th.

I wanted to ask about crimping in the cannelure. I have made up many loads for my 30-30 with much success when loading hornady 160 gr ftx ammo but when I loaded up some 170gr speer deep curl they were all over the paper. If I trim my brass to trim length and seat the bullets so the cartridge meets max OAL the bullet does not seat far enough to take advantage of the cannelure.

My question is should I seat the bullet so that I crimp in the cannelure or should I stick with max OAL?

I am starting from scratch with my formula for the speer lead that I have since I am thinking that may have something to do with the accuracy of my load. I switched the powder from IMR 3031 to W748 and I am going from WLR primers to CCI 250's since the load data I got from speer call for large rifle magnum primers.

I would say load 3 one way and 3 the other length and see which is more accurate. I had 2 batches of hornady .270 130 grn pills that had canulure in different places so watch for that when getting a new box.

When it's for hunting: go to the cannelure. It's a stronger crimp + you never know that you are going to exchange some rounds to your huntingfriend during the trip (and the longer bullet might make thing dangerous in another gun)
When it's for you own use on the range: do as you please because you'll probably load round par round and even don't use the tube magazin.

And I also like to know if you could see the difference in a 30/30 Win when you only change cartridge length that little.

Becareful about having a too long round in a 30-30. It may cause a jam in the lift block.

Donut Slayer wrote:

Becareful about having a too long round in a 30-30. It may cause a jam in the lift block.

and you also risk not to be able to empty the gun without shooting all the rounds. A round that fits your chamber can be too long to eject.

thanks for the info. I just hope that it is not an issue since I am seating the bullets according to the reloading manuels to start with. Also all of my rounds feed just fine so far. Thanks all.

Forget the OAL of the .30-30 cartridge and crimp [only] at the cannelure. The Lee FCD is the way to go when loading .30-30 cartridges.

You didn't say if you are loading for a bolt gun or a lever gun.

My load...32 grains of W-748 under a Speer 170 grain Hotcore Flatnose. Primers are WLR or CCI 200. Doesn't seem to matter which one.

I use them in a 64 year old Winchester Mod 94. At 100 yards I am getting 1 5/8" three shot groups. And 2100 fps +/- 50 fps.

bushy, thats my load for my 30-30 too.

Works good don't it....

I am loading for a model 94 winchester, it was manufactured sometime in the 30's. I appriciate all the advice you have to offer. Thanks.

Hot damn! Another oldy still in service. Photos?

I don't have any right now but I will post some this evening if I have a chance. Its rough but it still shoots well.

Manufactured in 1949. I've had it sense I was 18.

beautiful

That is a lovely piece of wood. looks just like the one I used to get my first stags.