Reloading 30/30 Winchester Ammo

The Burro · May 28, 2010, 10:40 AM

Do any of you recommend using a small based sizer die for reloading ammo for a Marlin 336 lever gun?

howlnmad · May 28, 2010, 12:45 PM

Do they even make one? I've never looked cuz I've never needed one to load for my 336.

howlnmad

Scorch · May 28, 2010, 12:57 PM

Just use a standard full-length sizer die.

farmerboy · May 28, 2010, 02:24 PM

I full length mine but if thats all I had and finances were tight right now I'd either borrow a full lenghth from someone or second, I'd go ahead and use what you had. But a 336 lever gun only needs to be full lenght sized

totaldla · May 28, 2010, 03:02 PM

I don't see the need for a small base sizer die. I don't even see the need for FL resizing. The 30-30 brass stretches from firing, then it is stretched further by FL resizing. You end up having to trim the brass about every other firing or so. Another way to go about it is to just neck size. You won't have to trim as often and you can skip the lubing and grunting associated with FL resizing. You might want to Google "neck sizing dies" to see what is available.

farmerboy · May 28, 2010, 03:26 PM

If I fire form the brass out of my marlin mod 30, then yes all I do is neck size also. But if someone gives me some brass shot out of their gun then I full size it. Usually neck size you can get about 6 to 8 shots before it wont cycle in your gun and then you have to full size it again. But neck size will make it cycle great and easier on your brass until you need to do more.

TXJohn · May 28, 2010, 03:38 PM

I always FL mine it is just the way I was taught maybe right? maybe wrong? don't know it just my way.

oneoldsap · May 28, 2010, 04:02 PM

I have never heard of a small base die for a rimmed cartridge !

N.H. Yankee · May 28, 2010, 05:13 PM

I just use RCBS with a LEE factory crimp die. I like a crimp because of the tubular magazine, bullet setback could be a nasty surprise.

Sarge · May 28, 2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

I just use RCBS with a LEE factory crimp die. I like a crimp because of the tubular magazine, bullet setback could be a nasty surprise.

Same exact setup here Yank. Been using my RCBS 30-30 dies since the late 70's... I've never used a small-base die for any rifle or pistol reloading and that covers a myriad of calibers over the years.

farmerboy · May 28, 2010, 05:51 PM

I have two rifles,first a rem. model 742 in 270 and the other a browning bar in 30-06. If you dont use a small base you arent going to get to shoot either. They both have to be sized with a small base (rcbs) dies to get them to chamber and fire but thats those two(both auto's) lever gun would be full lenth.

Sarge · May 28, 2010, 06:08 PM

I've used standard Lee dies to load '06, for a Remington Model 7400, for close to 15 years. Mixed brass, various 150 grain bullets. That Remington do not choke.

farmerboy · May 28, 2010, 10:26 PM

Back to the old theory that All guns are different! Yours does fine with full lenght, mine will not. I wish mine would to that way I would not of had to buy the small base dies but I guess your gun has a larger throat than mine does. You can go to RCBS or Midways site, read about rcbs small base dies and they are for Many autos that will not handle shells that have been sized with full length dies.

Sarge · May 28, 2010, 10:59 PM

They are indeed different. I've been fortunate in that both our Remingtons (old Model 78 & 7400) can be fed from the same pile of reloads.

FrankenMauser · May 28, 2010, 11:29 PM

A small base die shouldn't be needed for the .30-30.

And I do recommend full length sizing.

ForneyRider · June 4, 2010, 02:47 PM

I use the Redding f/l dies for 30-30.

They gave me a special seater stem for the FTX bullet. Works great.

I F/L and trim Rem. Win, and Fed brass.

IMR 4064 has worked great. Also, use Varget and R15.

GP100man · June 4, 2010, 03:06 PM

I barely set the shoulder back just enuff to close the lever easy. I have brass that is old but still shoots !!

I also clean & lube the inside of necks of all my rifle handloading

jaguarxk120 · June 4, 2010, 03:30 PM

GP100man I use a nylon brush with a touch of resizing lube or oil, works great, the case comes off the expander sooo easy, no pulling of the neck or streching. I know the wear and tear on the brass & tooling is much less.

May 28, 2010, 10:40 AM	#1
The Burro Junior Member Join Date: January 16, 2009 Location: No. California Posts: 4	Reloading 30/30 Winchester Ammo Do any of you recommend using a small based sizer die for reloading ammo for a Marlin 336 lever gun? __________________ The Burro

May 28, 2010, 12:57 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Just use a standard full-length sizer die. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

May 28, 2010, 03:02 PM	#5
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,297	I don't see the need for a small base sizer die. I don't even see the need for FL resizing. The 30-30 brass stretches from firing, then it is stretched further by FL resizing. You end up having to trim the brass about every other firing or so. Another way to go about it is to just neck size. You won't have to trim as often and you can skip the lubing and grunting associated with FL resizing. You might want to Google "neck sizing dies" to see what is available. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

May 28, 2010, 05:13 PM	#9
N.H. Yankee Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2004 Location: Rural N.H. Posts: 1,586	I just use RCBS with a LEE factory crimp die. I like a crimp because of the tubular magazine, bullet setback could be a nasty surprise. __________________ The real danger to America is not abroad but within.. Having an open mind is a good thing, but not so open that your brains fall out! Save America, abort liberalism.

May 28, 2010, 06:08 PM	#12
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	I've used standard Lee dies to load '06, for a Remington Model 7400, for close to 15 years. Mixed brass, various 150 grain bullets. That Remington do not choke. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

May 28, 2010, 12:45 PM	#2
howlnmad Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2009 Location: Harriman Tn Posts: 424	Do they even make one? I've never looked cuz I've never needed one to load for my 336. howlnmad

May 28, 2010, 02:24 PM	#4
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I full length mine but if thats all I had and finances were tight right now I'd either borrow a full lenghth from someone or second, I'd go ahead and use what you had. But a 336 lever gun only needs to be full lenght sized

May 28, 2010, 03:26 PM	#6
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	If I fire form the brass out of my marlin mod 30, then yes all I do is neck size also. But if someone gives me some brass shot out of their gun then I full size it. Usually neck size you can get about 6 to 8 shots before it wont cycle in your gun and then you have to full size it again. But neck size will make it cycle great and easier on your brass until you need to do more.

May 28, 2010, 03:38 PM	#7
TXJohn Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Location: Ft Worth TX Posts: 163	I always FL mine it is just the way I was taught maybe right? maybe wrong? don't know it just my way.

May 28, 2010, 04:02 PM	#8
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	I have never heard of a small base die for a rimmed cartridge !

May 28, 2010, 05:51 PM	#11
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I have two rifles,first a rem. model 742 in 270 and the other a browning bar in 30-06. If you dont use a small base you arent going to get to shoot either. They both have to be sized with a small base (rcbs) dies to get them to chamber and fire but thats those two(both auto's) lever gun would be full lenth.

May 28, 2010, 10:26 PM	#13
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Back to the old theory that All guns are different! Yours does fine with full lenght, mine will not. I wish mine would to that way I would not of had to buy the small base dies but I guess your gun has a larger throat than mine does. You can go to RCBS or Midways site, read about rcbs small base dies and they are for Many autos that will not handle shells that have been sized with full length dies.

May 28, 2010, 10:59 PM	#14
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	They are indeed different. I've been fortunate in that both our Remingtons (old Model 78 & 7400) can be fed from the same pile of reloads. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

May 28, 2010, 11:29 PM	#15
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,427	A small base die shouldn't be needed for the .30-30. And I do recommend full length sizing. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 4, 2010, 02:47 PM	#16
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	I use the Redding f/l dies for 30-30. They gave me a special seater stem for the FTX bullet. Works great. I F/L and trim Rem. Win, and Fed brass. IMR 4064 has worked great. Also, use Varget and R15. __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.

June 4, 2010, 03:06 PM	#17
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	I barely set the shoulder back just enuff to close the lever easy. I have brass that is old but still shoots !! I also clean & lube the inside of necks of all my rifle handloading __________________ GP100man

June 4, 2010, 03:30 PM	#18
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	GP100man I use a nylon brush with a touch of resizing lube or oil, works great, the case comes off the expander sooo easy, no pulling of the neck or streching. I know the wear and tear on the brass & tooling is much less.