Reloading for HK p30 9mm with stepped chamber

vepcolm · March 9, 2014, 10:07 PM

Hello, I just recently purchased a brand new p30 9mm pistol that I would like to start reloading for. Upon inspecting my spent brass I've noticed that every single one is bulged about 1/4 of an inch from the mouth all the way to the base. Looking into the chamber it looks like there is a step at this point for what purpose I don't know. Does anyone have experience reloading brass like this? Is there any case life issues with brass that has been fired in a chamber with a step in it? Thanks!

bfoosh006 · March 9, 2014, 11:19 PM

Interesting... can you post a photo of some of the brass ?

I see nothing about this "feature" on their webpage or in the owners manual.

Have you attempted to e-mail HK or phone them ?

I have heard of Saigas having this... but never any thing else.

tangolima · March 9, 2014, 11:21 PM

That's interesting. I have a 9mm Luger p08 is doing exactly the same thing. I thought my Luger was originally a .30 cal, and was rebored to 9mm. The step is due to a less than perfect reaming of the chamber. Now your p30 is brand new and was made in Germany, I suppose. Could it be just a German thing, I wonder?

Anyway I have been reloading for my Luger. The step is not doing anything there. I just keep resizing as if the step is not there at all. It may shorten the brass life a bit, but I don't care.

-TL

vepcolm · March 10, 2014, 05:10 AM

Here is a photo of some brass from yesterday. The brass is actually kind of necked down at the top.uploadfromtaptalk1394445948333.jpg
here is the best picture I could get inside the chamber. You can barely see the step.uploadfromtaptalk1394446198476.jpg

After some research, I can say it is definitely supposed to be like this. My only concern now is reloading this brass and its impact on safety and case life. Thanks.

Brian Pfleuger · March 10, 2014, 08:48 AM

The theory behind that step, as I understand it, is to provide a better gas seal because of the taper of the 9mm case.

In any event, it's irrelevant to your reloading. Ignore it.

vepcolm · March 10, 2014, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Pfleuger

The theory behind that step, as I understand it, is to provide a better gas seal because of the taper of the 9mm case.

In any event, it's irrelevant to your reloading. Ignore it.

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know.

March 9, 2014, 10:07 PM	#1
vepcolm Junior Member Join Date: January 9, 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 7	Reloading for HK p30 9mm with stepped chamber Hello, I just recently purchased a brand new p30 9mm pistol that I would like to start reloading for. Upon inspecting my spent brass I've noticed that every single one is bulged about 1/4 of an inch from the mouth all the way to the base. Looking into the chamber it looks like there is a step at this point for what purpose I don't know. Does anyone have experience reloading brass like this? Is there any case life issues with brass that has been fired in a chamber with a step in it? Thanks!

March 10, 2014, 08:48 AM	#5
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	The theory behind that step, as I understand it, is to provide a better gas seal because of the taper of the 9mm case. In any event, it's irrelevant to your reloading. Ignore it. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

March 9, 2014, 11:19 PM	#2
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,089	Interesting... can you post a photo of some of the brass ? I see nothing about this "feature" on their webpage or in the owners manual. Have you attempted to e-mail HK or phone them ? I have heard of Saigas having this... but never any thing else.

March 9, 2014, 11:21 PM	#3
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,827	That's interesting. I have a 9mm Luger p08 is doing exactly the same thing. I thought my Luger was originally a .30 cal, and was rebored to 9mm. The step is due to a less than perfect reaming of the chamber. Now your p30 is brand new and was made in Germany, I suppose. Could it be just a German thing, I wonder? Anyway I have been reloading for my Luger. The step is not doing anything there. I just keep resizing as if the step is not there at all. It may shorten the brass life a bit, but I don't care. -TL

March 10, 2014, 05:10 AM	#4
vepcolm Junior Member Join Date: January 9, 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 7	Here is a photo of some brass from yesterday. The brass is actually kind of necked down at the top.uploadfromtaptalk1394445948333.jpg here is the best picture I could get inside the chamber. You can barely see the step.uploadfromtaptalk1394446198476.jpg After some research, I can say it is definitely supposed to be like this. My only concern now is reloading this brass and its impact on safety and case life. Thanks.