What else do I need to reload .30-30

[riflenoob]

I am interested in reloading. I want to buy a Lee 4 hole press with auto index deluxe kit. For the quality and price it seems to be the way to go. From what i have been reading it seems to be more for reloading hand gun rounds instead of rifle rounds. I have heard that you have to get a few more add ons to be able to do rifle rounds properly. I am having a hard time finding anything that gives you a list of what else you need to get. With this being my first experience with reloading I want to make sure i have everything from the get go. If anybody has a list of add ons they can give me would be much appreciated. Also i am trying to find out which dies are better Lee pacesetter or the lee deluxe. The only difference i can see is that the pacesetter comes with a factory crimper and the deluxe has a collet neck sizing die.

[10-96]

Contact Lee folks directly- that's the best source I can think of.

Now for something that will likely get me beat up... Honestly, if you're just starting out in reloading- I would seriously look at starting out with a single-stage press. There's a lot of stuff going on with reloading as it is, and until you get into the swing of creating cartridges that have the ability to blow your rifle up (and major portions of your head) if done improperly- I think it would be a greater benefit to learn each step inside and out by going at it single stage until you are "in the groove".

The Pacesetters will do fine and dandy. I haven't personally loaded 30-30, all of my reloads go into bolt actions and semi-autos so I don't crimp. But I do recall reading that crimping is a very important step when loading for a tube magazine.

[Sevens]

10-96, I won't beat you up for suggesting single stage. But given the price difference between single stage and a Lee turret press... and also given that you can easily use a turret press in a single stage manner, it's not a bad choice at all to start out with a turret press.

Riflenoob, as for the dies, if loading .30-30, I don't think you'll get a lot of use out of the neck-sizing die, depending on the firearm you'll be using to shoot them. They are recommended for use only in bolt-action and single shot guns. So if your .30-30 is a lever gun, you won't get much use out of the collet neck-only size die.

There are two big differences in reloading rifle over pistol: First is that most rifle rounds are bottle-neck cartridges which require you to lube each and every case before you run them through your sizing die. This is NOT optional. The first case that you don't put lube on will be the first case that you rip the rim off and get stuck in your sizing die. Lubing cases is quite time consuming. The second big difference in reloading for rifle is that cases are known to stretch and get longer as you fire them so you must also buy a case trimmer of some sort and some kind of device to measure your case length.

If you don't pay attention to the length of rifle brass, you'll be presented with at least two major problems: First one is that they simply won't chamber fully, refuse to go in to full battery because they are too long. The other typical problem is that a round will chamber, but the neck is sticking too far out of the chamber and it's being squeezed, and putting too much tension on the bullet. When this happens, pressures increase exponentially and you get in to a very dangerous situation.

These are the basic items that make reloading for rifle somewhat more involved. For a good starting list of tools and supplies, check the "sticky" threads pinned to the top of this discussion forum. Also, go out and find yourself a good reloading manual and start your reading even before you get your equipment. Finally, use the search engine in this forum for thousands of topics and answers that have already been written, and after you've done that, feel free to ask more specific questions here, even in this thread.

[saber9]

I agree with 10-96 in that everyone should start with a single state press. The Lee Classic Cast press is excellent. However, the first thing anyone should start with is a good reloading manual by Lyman, Hornady, or Speer. Before buying anything else, read the manual thoroughly on the procedures and safety issues with reloading. There are major differences in reloading rifle and handgun ammo. The manuals also have extensive data on powder charges for all the different calibers. They cover what equipment is needed for reloading.

The only reason anyone uses presses other than a single stage is speed. Handgun shooters typically shoot far more rounds than rifle shooters and ultimately want to speed up the reloading process because of the quantity of ammo they reload.

The Lee Pacesetter dies would be excellent. The crimp die is necessary for .30-30, because most .30-30 is used in rifles with tubular magazines. A neck sizing die is usually not the best to use. Full length resizing will eliminate any chambering problems.

[GLK]

Four words come to mind, "Lee Factory Crimp Die" you'll be very glad you got it.

[craigcolorado]

You bet GLK...The Lee Factory Crimp die is sweet!! And..it's kind of hard to screw up a crimp using the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

Riflenoob....The Lee Turret is a great choice...a single stage is just as simple.I would however...purchase the Lee Case Trimmer as well. Simple, accurate, after resizing the case...simply use the case trimmer..it takes about 15 seconds to do this. EASY!!

The Lee 50th Anniversary will supply you with most of the equipment you'll need to get started...plus you'll need the dies. You can get started with all needed equipment for about $200.00!!! This kit contains the case trimmer as well. You just need to get the gauge for the 30-30 for case trimming.

If you buy the Lee Anniversary Pack....you'll get the Lee Reloading Manual..which will give you more info about reloading than other manuals..plus a free single stage press. List price for this pack is $35.00. That's list price.

I do not work for LEE Precision nor a sales rep. I'm just a very satisfied customer that has been reloading for over 35 years. Started out with RCBS. Buy Lee Precision equipment. It will perform very well.

I'm not sure if you should use the Collet Die for the 30-30. Lee says no...but it very well may work for your rifle. It will save a lot of time, but you would have to buy the crimp die separately verses getting the crimp die with PaceSetter Die Set. Plus cases last much longer!!

Goggle Lee Precision....good luck!!

[craigcolorado]

It would probably be in your best interest to not buy the auto indexing Lee Turret press...just get the turret press. Auto indexing presents a whole different picture. If you're new to reloading...I'm saying don't do the auto indexing!!

Learn how to reload using a single action process...the auto indexing press is not that expensive to purchase later on...the Lee equipment will simply rransfer over to the auto index press.

[Dogjaw]

Pick up a good reloading manual. Many, like Speer, have a large easy to follow step-by-step section on how to reload. It'll answer many if not all your questions. Speer's 30-30 load using 170 grain bullets with W748 powder is the best 30-30 load I've ever seen.

[arkie2]

I started out loading 30-30 and for years only used one of these. It works, it's cheap and takes up no room. Of course, you're production rate is going to be slow.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...leeloader.html

[Red_Eagle]

I loaded up some yesterday. On my I've got 2 single stage presses. You really only need 1, and the Lee turret looks like it'd work fine. 2 safety scales. One of which is the Lee that comes with your kit. Very accurate, but you need to play with it for a few hours to really get the hang of it. A set of Lee dippers and an RCBS powder trickler to get the powder from the can to the scale. A lee cuter/lock stud with 30-30 case length guage/shell holder. You'll need a small cordless drill with this trim system. I use a $14 Kaftech I bought at Walmart. I use the RCBS primer pocket cleaner. Very important your primer gets a good seat, especially if you have a tubular magazine. For calipers I use the Frankfurt arsenal digitals. I'm using the Lee pacesetter dies. With Lee dies make sure you have a 3/4" and 7/16" wrench near the loading bench in case the decapping mandrel slides on you. I've had that happen a few times. Make sure you use enough lube when you size the cases. If you miss one which will eventually happen it's nice to have a stuck case remover on hand. The RCBS model works fine. A bullet puller of some kind would also be nice to have if you seat a pullet to deep or you decide you dont like or want that particular load. The press mounted type would probably work best with 30-30. I've tried pulling 30-30 in an RCBS kenetic (hammer type) and it has a hard time with the 30-30. It dont seem to care for rimmed cartridges.
Most of the stuff listed on here has a Lee counter part in your kit. According to Lee's web site the auto indexing feature on that press can bee disabled in a few second and restored just as fast. Not sure how but someone else can probable explain it.

[riflenoob]

Thanks to everybody who posted for me. I am new to guns and reloading and its nice to know that people are willing to help. I hope eveerybody I meet while shooting is as helpfull. Any other advice would be much appreciated.

[Red_Eagle]

What kind of rifle is your 30-30?

[crowbeaner]

Something nobody mentioned is that you have to check the diameter of the bullets you want to load. Some are .307, and some are .308. A $20 chinese caliper from Harbor Freight should be on your "get" list. This will allow you to measure your cases before you trim them. You'll need to crimp the bullets to keep them from pushing back into the cases from spring pressure in the magazine. CB.

[rp85]

hello;

reloading for the 30/30 for years. 170gr speer/hornady, 32. gr. ww748, 2080fps. @same speed with 30gr. h335. per my chrongraph, factory ammo speed was in the 1950fps-ish range. 30as marlin will shoot @1-1.5" groups. 336cs @2-2.5" groups.

great for deer inside 100ys. if you do your apart. spend the $ for a good scope.

not bad for a katrina gun, if you live in louisiana you know what i mean, vern.

lee crimp tool is a must. easy to use.

rp

[riflenoob]

Red Eagle I have a Marlin 336.

[Red_Eagle]

This is a little off topic, but sorta not. Has anyone installed a Wild West trigger in thier 336? Midway's selling them for around $70, and I was thinking about it.

[BlackThunder999]

Hi all,

I have read the posts and want to first thank everyone for their great inputs. Good info!
I have several guns and am taking a reloading class the first week in August and want to start out reload the .454 (Raging Bull), .45, and 9mm as well as 30.06 for my Gerrand.
I know this is a lot but it is my understand that all I would have to do is buy the die after everything else to switch to the new caliber?
I also understand that the lee press will do everything I want? I want to buy a press that is capable of putting out a lot of rounds as quickly as possible. I do understand the merit of starting out with a single style press (so that I can more effectively learn), which I will, but when I become more knowledgeable, I want to be able to move into the faster style press. (Not sure the exact lingo).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

BT