Another reloading question (gun)

[old]

Ok so 308W is 2.015 long and 30/30 brass is 2.039 long so can I use the 308 dies to reload 30/30 and that way I will not have to buy a new set of 30/30 dies
Thanks.
My think is both are 30 cal so since both are so close to being the same length the 308 die should work just fine if that die is ok and I have just had problems with cheap thin 308 brass
 

[hoof print]

Rich, case deminsions are different. It won't work.
 

[old]

Ya I only looked at how long both where I did not look to see all the other stuff but still the 30/30 seems like it would fit into the 308 die and neck sizing and popping the primer out is all I need but again I want a 30/30 set of dies any how just would like to save some time since it takes a week or more to get things shipped
 

[retired farmer]

No! Not unless you want to take a chance of having your gun blow up in your face.
 

[RGMartin]

They will work, but will only "neck size" the case. The ammo can only be fired in the same gun as it was originally.
 

[jackinok]

in reallity,you can cut the die in two using just the neck sizing part and reload any cartridge of any style that uses a 308 bullet.BUT only untill case body dimensions get large enough you have trouble chambering in your firearm.in fact thats what a neck size only die does. not the best to do so of course but its been done jillions of times.for all intents and purposes,you dont even need the die or press. a block of hardwood with the proper sized hole will resize the neck, add powdwer,and push in a bullet,and your reloaded.
 

[MarkB_MI]

Neck sizing brass to be used in a lever-action gun is a bad idea. A set of FL sizing dies will cost you less than 30 bucks. They'll pay for themselves after 50 rounds.
 

[old]

Figured they probably would not work but know that if I do not ask I may never know for sure. Wish Midway was a place you could walk into and buy because I will be in Columbia tomorrow and that is where midway is
 

[GeneMO]

Rich, as others have said, neck sizing will work, but you have to shoot it in the same gun. and it is only used in bolt actions. I am afraid it wouldn't work in a lever gun. You might get by with it once, but as the case stretches you will start to have real problems.

Dont risk it.

In my .270 bolt gun, I have experimented getting the die set to full length resize, the start backing it off a little. It works OK, and doesn't work the brass as much and will maybe get you a little longer case life.

I have reloades some cases so many times that they eventually have a case head seperation. Close inspection will show a dark line just up from the rim of the cartridge. this is where it is getting thin.

Good luck, Gene
 

[old]

I have some 44mag brass that has been reloaded one time to many and has split the side out of it the last time I shot it which of coarse I can now no longer even think about using it
 

[RGMartin]

[jbp]

Neck sizing a 30-30 using a 308 die will not work as a 308 case neck OD is .343 inches. A 30-30 OD is .331 inches. A 30- 30 case neck is a lot thinner than a 308 case neck , so if you did try to use a 308 die it would be so oversize ID it would not hold a bullet in the case. Check your loading manual for both case ODs.

Joe
 

[caterpillar guy]

One thing that is different is the 308 is a rebated rim and 30-30 is a rimmed cartridge this will require a different shell holder.
The dims on the 308 are
Length 2.015
angle degree 20
neck dia. .343
case dia. .454
case length to shoulder 1.56
case to bottom of shoulder 1.711

The 30-30 Length 2.039
angle degree 15 39'
neck .332
case dia @ head .421
case dia @neck angle .401
case length to shoulder 1.35
case to bottom of shoulder 1.55
So I would conclude that it would not be the wisest thing but could possibly be done if no other means was available.
These dims are from the 47TH edition Lyman manual.
 

[GordoSD]

If you order and pay online Midway will let you pivkup at the store and save shipping. Same way with Cabela's.
 

[old]

Have the same reloading handbook just did not compare enough of the numbers to be sure