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BamBam-31
10-16-2014, 11:08 AM
So my 9 YO son has taken a liking to my M1 Carbine. Last week, we burned through four boxes of my S&B ammo stash. Then I looked online to see how much S&B .30 carbine was going for nowadays, and :eek: man, that was about $100 worth of ammo!

Okay, we collected all the brass and bought some components. We're loading Win 110 gr. FMJ-RN over 13.8 gr. IMR 4227 w/ CCI SRP to a COAL of 1.675". Book says starting loads are 13.0, max loads are 15.0. The 1.09 aperture on the Auto Disk threw 13.8. Next one up threw 15.0, so we went with the 13.8 just to be safe. Also using the Lee FCD.

Cool thing is, my son is having a blast loading every round on the Lee Classic Turret press. He's doing everything from tumbling gathered brass to tumbling loaded rounds.

Anyways, we need a source for good plinking bullets. Does anyone have experience with the plated bullets from Berry's or Rainer? Should we just stick with jacketed bullets? Anyone have any pet loads for their .30 carbines? Any advice appreciated (and passed along to the next generation :)).

Carcassonne
10-16-2014, 11:30 AM
I don't know if plated bullets will work at 30 Carbine velocities (2000 fps).

I shoot lead bullets I cast myself. They work OK. I get some leading in the barrel. I think I use Accurate #9 and VV110.


.

Cowboy T
10-16-2014, 12:09 PM
I shoot my own cast "boolits" in a .44M levergun at around 2,000 fps. No problems.

If you do that with an M1 Carbine, aren't those gas-operated? If so, it should work fine, but you'll just have to remember to check the gas port during your cleaning. Bits of lead can get shaved off and gradually clog the gas port over time. If you see any, just pick it out (gently) with a finishing nail or something similar. But the rifle itself should be just dandy with cast projectiles.

Mud Eagle
10-16-2014, 12:31 PM
I buy 110gr FMJ from Hi-Tech Ammo:

http://www.iidbs.com/hitech.zkb?root&GENMENU601C&object-menu6

I also cast using a Lee 2-cavity die (I don't have the number handy right now...). I have never had any issues with lead build-up in the gas port or the gas piston.

bigbossman
10-16-2014, 12:44 PM
I buy 110gr FMJ from Hi-Tech Ammo:

http://www.iidbs.com/hitech.zkb?root&GENMENU601C&object-menu6



At $13/100, thats pretty cheap shooting. I've found jacketed for as little as $11/100, so shop around for FMJ, forget the plated, and you won't have to worry about whether the bullet will work right at "normal" loads/velocities.

A quick Google found some FMJ for $75/500 ($15/100), delivered:
http://www.evergladesammo.com/30-carbine-110gr-fmj-bullets.html

I've also found loaded Aguila .30 carbine ammo for as low as $215 delivered for a case of 1000, so you might consider factory stuff to get your brass pile bigger on the cheap.

BamBam-31
10-16-2014, 2:37 PM
GREAT info, guys! Thanks.

bohoki
10-16-2014, 3:20 PM
ive not had the best luck

ive tried 4227 and 110 and i just cant get them to cycle with 13 grains

i got a case of aguila a couple years ago that stuff is great

FLIGHT762
10-16-2014, 4:56 PM
A couple of important things about reloading for the .30 Carbine.

The .30 Carbine head spaces on the case mouth. Be sure to trim any cases over 1.290" to 1.280". Check length AFTER resizing.

There was some imported ammo a few years ago that was too long and there were some out of battery firings, Might have been PMC, but I can't remember. Also, be very sure to seat primers below flush, that can also cause out of battery / slam fires.

CGT80
10-16-2014, 7:28 PM
RCBS 2 cavity steel mold 30-115 SP, lubed with Cred and aluminum gas checks, loaded over 11.0 grains of 2400 powder=1668.6 fps average.

It cycles the gun well, but the sights are not adjustable, and I have some feeding issues with some mags. I think my rifle and mags are the issue and not the ammo, as sometimes it feeds just fine.

I have not checked the barrel real well for leading, but lead works great for some people.


http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k484/CGT80/Shooting%20Reloading%20and%20Boolit%20Casting/DSC04708.jpg

Enfield47
10-16-2014, 9:00 PM
Ive been using 110gr plated bullets from Rocky Mountain Reloading without any issues with 14 gr of Win 296. I have a friend who has been using the Xtreme plated bullets bullets with 14 gr of H110 with success. I ordered 1,000 of the Xtreme bullets for myself recently based on his success and they are less expensive.

smle-man
10-16-2014, 9:07 PM
Is the concern with shooting plated bullets over 1,500 fps about the lead bullet and plated jacket separating in the bore and causing an obstruction?

I've read of this happening with FMJ bullets that have had the tip cut off to jackleg SP bullets (I doubt they'd expand anyway).

bigbossman
10-16-2014, 9:18 PM
FMJ for $12.00/100:
http://www.selwayarmory.com/armscorbullets30carbine308diameter110grfullmetalja cket-bagof100.aspx

Currently out of stock, but you can sign up for notification.

Carcassonne
10-17-2014, 7:31 AM
I buy 110gr FMJ from Hi-Tech Ammo:

http://www.iidbs.com/hitech.zkb?root&GENMENU601C&object-menu6

I also cast using a Lee 2-cavity die (I don't have the number handy right now...). I have never had any issues with lead build-up in the gas port or the gas piston.


I use Lee's 311-100-2R mold.

http://leeprecision.com/files/products/BulletMolds.jpg

tujungatoes
10-18-2014, 7:03 AM
My load is 12 grains of 2400 under a 110 xtreme plated. Shoots great. Ejection is consistent enough that I can stand at the shooters 5 o'clock and catch the brass with my hand.

big103
10-21-2014, 12:40 AM
Like said make sure you trim.

bohoki
10-21-2014, 7:42 PM
My load is 12 grains of 2400 under a 110 xtreme plated. Shoots great. Ejection is consistent enough that I can stand at the shooters 5 o'clock and catch the brass with my hand.

gonna have to try that people tell me its like a 357 magnum i might as well use the same powder

tujungatoes
10-22-2014, 10:45 AM
Just make sure to work up to it. As I recall alliant lists 12 grains as max with an FMJ

MongooseV8
10-22-2014, 12:27 PM
Heads up, tumbling live rounds is not advised.

tujungatoes
10-23-2014, 10:42 AM
Heads up, tumbling live rounds is not advised.

That myth has been thoroughly debunked. Tumbling live rounds is perfectly fine and in fact a standard practice for many commercial ammunition manufacturers.

Bumslie
10-23-2014, 11:23 AM
Heads up, tumbling live rounds is not advised.

That myth has been thoroughly debunked. Tumbling live rounds is perfectly fine and in fact a standard practice for many commercial ammunition manufacturers.
Sigh. I think I post this link at least once a year. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/989047_Tumble_live_ammo_Tumbler_Oandapos__thruth_E XTREME_edition__200hour_torture_test__UPDATE__fire d_rounds_in_OP.html

Pauliedad
10-24-2014, 6:08 AM
Thanks for that Bumslie.
That's a good read with enough detail to make a good case.

MongooseV8
10-24-2014, 6:18 AM
K you guys can trust an internet post. Im going to listen to the guys that make the powder, and tumblers.

tujungatoes
10-24-2014, 7:01 AM
Right on. It's your ammo and that's your call to make. I just presented a different opinion based on numerous good writeups and my own personal experience tumbling my loaded ammo(although not for anywhere near as long as in the link Bumslie posted...holy sh*t!).

BamBam-31
10-27-2014, 8:07 AM
I tumble loaded rounds for ten minutes or so. Just enough to get the lube off. No problems whatsoever.

Follow-up on load recipe in OP: Seems 13.8 grains of IMR 4227 is rather anemic in my carbine. Short cycled about 60% of the time. Will use the next aperture up in the Auto Disk (which yields 15.0 grains, or max book load). Considering how much more stout the S&B ammo shot compared to our reloads, I think the 15.0 should be GTG. Only problem is, my son got carried away with his reloading and made 100 rds. of the bunny farts. We still have 50 left to shoot off....:p

thenodnarb
10-27-2014, 9:30 AM
Whats the best way to trim these cases? Lathe style trimmer?

tujungatoes
10-27-2014, 9:54 AM
The best way would probably be a giraud trimmer, bit my broke *** uses a lathe style

emtmark
10-28-2014, 4:18 PM
I'm just getting into loading and this will be my first attempt, I have the press dies brass trimmer and primers, my book calls for h110 but I see a lot of other powders used here. I'm hopefull I will be able to find one of these local as h110 is a dam myth and legend during my searches. Boolits seem to be pretty available. I found a website awhile ago 89$/1000 of 110 grain jacketed ball. Thank you to all for contributing I'm paying close attention.

CGT80
10-28-2014, 7:30 PM
H110 and winchester 296 are the same powder. Most powders other than very slow rifle (such as those used for 50 bmg) seem to be scarce.

30 carbine isn't the easiest round to load. The sizing and trim length are very important. I use a lathe style trimmer. I am not sure if the giraud will do straight wall cases. I have a CTS to do 460 mag, but it has a rim and also uses a special holder that isn't needed for bottle neck cases. You don't want much crimp, as 30 carb. headspaces off the case mouth.

Rimmed revolver cases are the easiest to load and if you have a need for such reloading it would be best to start there. Otherwise, just read up on 30 carb. and work carefully. Don't load too many at one time, until you get it dialed in. It really sucks when you end up with a couple hundred rounds that don't function properly.

Good luck!

Enfield47
10-28-2014, 8:59 PM
Whats the best way to trim these cases? Lathe style trimmer?

I use the Lee case length gauge chucked in a drill. Your fingers will hurt if your doing a lot, I wear mechanics gloves and that seems to help.

emtmark
10-28-2014, 9:18 PM
I put the case holder in the drill chuck up a cartridge and spin it rather than the trimmer. I'm using a lee trimmer.

IrishJoe3
10-28-2014, 9:37 PM
Whats the best way to trim these cases? Lathe style trimmer?

I bought a Lee Deluxe Quick Trim, works very well for the 30 Carbine.

http://leeprecision.com/deluxe-power-quick-trim.html

Tom-ADC
10-29-2014, 10:35 AM
I load a hard cast 120 grain round nose with 13.5 grains of Winchester 296.

tujungatoes
10-29-2014, 4:33 PM
I am not sure if the giraud will do straight wall cases.

.30 carbine is not a straight wall case. It has a taper. And yes the Giraud trimmer will work. They have it listed on their website.

tigerfu
10-29-2014, 8:21 PM
I've been using xtreme plated 110gr bullets. 13.5gr of h110 or n110. I got around 1800fps and feeds and ejects consistently. The load is on the light side, but is accurate.

The xtreme bullets turn out to be quite useful for other applications. I use them to load my .30 Mauser and 7.62 nagant. It is almost as cheap as cast bullets, minus most issues that come with cast bullets. I would use anything else.

-TL

bohoki
11-07-2014, 6:33 PM
i trim using the lee but i had to chuck the gauge in a drill and file it down a bit as it was too large to fit in my sized cases

opos
11-07-2014, 6:38 PM
Remember..as has been said...check length and trim...also the case might look straight like a 357 but it's not so lube when you resize..even with carbide dies..got a slight taper...roll one across a table top and you will soon see the taper...they will stick in a resizing die without some lube.

jonzer77
11-09-2014, 7:15 AM
I bought a Lee Deluxe Quick Trim, works very well for the 30 Carbine.

http://leeprecision.com/deluxe-power-quick-trim.html


I need to look into this because I hate trimming 30 carbine brass.

gblacksmith
11-10-2014, 5:07 PM
I'm A fan of the .30 carbine. I load 15.0 gr of ww 296 under 110 FMJ or SP. This ctg is VERY length sensitive, so trim after every resize. Some advise small rifle mag primers, some say not necessary. TRy each to see if there's a difference. Be advised that 15.0 grs. is a max load

I use a carbide die but I have found lubing with imperial sizing wax makes the resize easier.

The CMP website has a useful article on getting good accuracy from your carbine.

You can get cheap 110 FMJ Armscor from a company called "Polygunbags" a vendor of bags and projectiles. Also try Wideners. I bought a bunch from them at 11 cents a bullet this year.