Reloading for the 30 Cal M1 Carbine

[thegunny, 419]

I'm an old handloader but new to reloading for the 30 Carbine.

For the sake of consistency and the fact that it is a ball powder and throws consistently through the old Dillon 550, I use WW748 for all (with the exception of 300WinMag) my rifle loads.

I would like to use that powder for the 30 Carbine also but none of my reloading tables list it.

Does anybody have any idea as to a reasonable (safe) charge that a guy could start with to work up a load?

Thanks.

thegunny, 419

[rksimple]

Theres a reason 748 isn't listed with the 30 carbine. Its too slow. Use H110 or the like. Its spherical and will meter well.

[thegunny, 419]

I know the 30 Carbine is pretty much a BIG pistol, so would it be possible to use WW231?

[rksimple]

I know the 30 Carbine is pretty much a BIG pistol, so would it be possible to use WW231?

Possible, yes. Being such a fast pistol powder, it may or may not cycle the action. I don't know.

[6079Winston]

I think Winchester 296 was the original carbine powder, but I could be wrong. 110 and 296 work well in almost all magnum straight walled pistol cases, so either should be fine. 748 is really too slow and 231 too fast. If you need another gun to justify stocking 296 or 110, I would suggest a .41 or .44 magnum.

[packnrat]

even with the proper powder do not load light loads, you will get stove pipes, i tried to economize at one time and it back fired on me.:eek:


:TFH:

.

[rksimple]

even with the proper powder do not load light loads, you will get stove pipes, i tried to economize at one time and it back fired on me.:eek:


:TFH:

.

Unless you load them light enough so the bolt barely moves. Like 10 grains of unique in a 308 with a cast 150gr. They work OK. Like a straight pull...

[bohoki]

i had the same problem i was loading with 14.7 h4227 and it would have just enough power to kick out the shell but not back far enough to strip one from the magazine

it was quite amazing all the emptys landed right as my feet as they ejected then had to run the bolt to put a new one in

and if i jerked the gun foward as i fired it it would autoload i was just right on the line of not working and working

hmm does jerking the gun foward add another foot per second?

[ar15barrels]

Possible, yes. Being such a fast pistol powder, it may or may not cycle the action. I don't know.

231 is too fast.

You can't load everything with just two powders.
Get some H110.
It will work for all your magnum handgun loads as well as 30 carbine.

[garandman]

Case length is critical on the 30 carbine as it head spaces on the case mouth (1.280) so trim the brass accordingly. Powders that can be used are WW296, AA9,H110,IMR4227 and bullets in FMJ configuration feed the best. Do not attempt to crimp the bullets in case because of the head space issue I previously mentioned. saw a WW2 mint carbine destroyed because a new reloader crimped the bullets into the case resulting in excessive chamber pressure, they are still looking for the bolt and that was 1969. small variations in different cases, powder charges primers and bullet mfg's can effect pressure in this small case, if memory serves it operates around 40 to 45,000 lbs so follow reloading information carefully. Good Luck, Garandman

[NRAhighpowershooter]

Case length is critical on the 30 carbine as it head spaces on the case mouth (1.280)

1.280 is min and 1.290 is max case length....