Problem reloading 30-30 cases with the 160 grain Hornady FTX Bullet

[Striper69]

I've tried twice to reload 30-30 ammo with the FTX bullet and minimum loads of Leverevolution and H335. The bullet will not seat far enough. Anyone have any ideas about this?

 

[iH8DemLibz]

Are you saying you can't chamber a round when the bullet is seated to the appropriate depth in the case?

Or are you saying you can't get the bullet to seat to the correct depth in the case?

 

[Uncle Duke]

I've tried twice to reload 30-30 ammo with the FTX bullet and minimum loads of Leverevolution and H335. The bullet will not seat far enough. Anyone have any ideas about this?

Just in the event......

You sure you have the FTX bullet designed for 30-30 (#30395 if 160 grain) ?

Because they make another .308 diameter FTX bullet as well.

 

[iH8DemLibz]

The cannelure is much higher on the bullet.

Resulting in a shorter overall cartridge.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Better make sure you have selected the right powder.

 

[iH8DemLibz]

Both of those powders are fine for his application.

 

[EKing]

I've been using the 140 MFTX with 32 grains of LeverRevolution powder and have had no issues. The case is full but not compressed.
The 140 MFTX is about the same length as the 160 FTX so seating is not radically different lengths.
If you are putting 37 grains (max) in there, it may be a compressed load. I've read about different case charging methods that allow the powder to settle more tightly in the case, maybe look into that.

 

[Striper69]

Look up the minimum loads in the Hornady manual- that's what I tried.

I'm sure I have the right FTX bullet-the stock # matches and it even says 30-30 on the box.

I also took the bullet out of a factory ammo round and measured the powder in it- 34.3 grains of (?). They don't let you know what they're using but it's way more than what I was trying. The bullet was the right length in the factory bullet.

 

[Striper69]

Are you saying you can't chamber a round when the bullet is seated to the appropriate depth in the case?

Or are you saying you can't get the bullet to seat to the correct depth in the case?

Roger that.

 

[iH8DemLibz]

If you can't seat the bullets, I'd say you've started the crimping operation before the bullet is fully seated.

Back the die out so there's no chance of crimping the case neck.

And try again.


PS: If you included more information, more folks would be inclined to give advice.

 

[Striper69]

If you can't seat the bullets, I'd say you've started the crimping operation before the bullet is fully seated.

Back the die out so there's no chance of crimping the case neck.

And try again.


PS: If you included more information, more folks would be inclined to give advice.

Nope. I just resized the bullets and tried to seat them. The bullets stop for some reason. I can hear the powder moving in the bullet but the bullet will not move anymore.

 

[Doobie]

Nope. I just resized the cases and tried to seat the bullets. The bullets stop for some reason. I can hear the powder moving in the cartridge but the bullet will not seat any deeper.

Fixed it for ya Not trying to be a prick/"clip/magazine" Nazi, but when describing something technical like reloading, one should strive to be as accurate as possible.
Are you full length sizing or neck sizing? New brass or used brass? Have you measured the length of the brass? Are your dies set up and adjusted correctly? Using correct shell holder? I know all of these questions seem elementary and I'm not insinuating that you're not knowledgeable, its just that I've seen people(me included) overlook the simplest things sometimes.

 

[Striper69]

I'll check. Something's wrong here.

 

[StickShaker]

Sounds like donuts....yummm

 

[Uncle Duke]

OP, check your seating die adjustment. Below are RCBS die instructions, but with anyone's dies, both your seater plug within your die and the die body itself need to be adjusted properly.

http://www.rcbs.com/RCBS/media/RCBSMedia/PDFs/Instructions/English (EN)/ReloadingDieInstructions.pdf

 

[iH8DemLibz]

Let's try this. Cuzz this happened to me when using the FTX line in a .460 S&W. It kicked my azz for a while. Then the light came on.

The FTX has a rubbery nose. If you're using a flat seater plug or a shallow radius seater plug, those plugs will deform the rubber nose. The nose will compress before the bullet is seated.

You'll need to buy a seater plug that bears on the hard ogive/jacket of the bullet. If you have the equipment and tools, you can modify an existing plug.

Look closely at your bullet tips and see if they are in any way deformed or have a visible smudge on them where they contacted the seater plug. If they are/do, you found the problem.

 

[Striper69]

It seems like it hits something or bottoms out as it gets .02-.05 away from the OAL. I'm able to cycle the rounds through my Marlin 30AS OK. Should I still try to use them?

 

[iH8DemLibz]

If they chamber and they cycle and they can cycle out of your receiver with the bullet intact, then use them.

Is your shell carrier hitting the bottom of die on the up stroke while trying to seat the bullets?

This can happen when folks turn the die instead of the plug when adjusting seating depth.

 

[Striper69]

I shot 3 bullets but didn't really get an idea of their accuracy. I'm going to load some more tomorrow and shoot at a target.

I'm just going to use up the box and then stick with the round nose bullets. I have no issues loading them and they're good for what I'm going to use the rifle for. Relatively close shooting in wooded areas from blinds.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I shot 3 bullets but didn't really get an idea of their accuracy. I'm going to load some more tomorrow and shoot at a target.

I'm just going to use up the box and then stick with the round nose bullets. I have no issues loading them and they're good for what I'm going to use the rifle for. Relatively close shooting in wooded areas from blinds.

Using a projectile other than round nose, in a 30-30, is inherently dangerous. Please stick with the round nose projectiles, for your safety and the safety of others around you.