Reloading help for the .30 cal.

sheepherder · 07-17-2014, 10:02 AM

I have found it odd that people coming to this forum say it is hard to find brass or bullets for the 7.65 Parabellum, or that loaded ammunition is more expensive...I have, in the past, converted .223 Remington cartridges to "30 Luger" (and "30 Mauser") but since Winchester makes readily available unprimed brass and Sierra makes nice bullets, I no longer bother...

Sierra #8005 85gr FMJ-RN
Winchester WSC30LU unprimed brass
Hercules Red Dot powder - 4.0gr
RCBS 25001 reloading dies

I prefer RCBS for all my reloading equipment. Over the years, RCBS has offered at least three different "30 Luger" reloading die sets; my present set is a two-die set of what looks like recent manufacture [eBay purchase].

There is an old Lyman "30 Luger" reloading table 'stickied' in this forum; I have found that old manual to be very reliable for all my calibers.

rhuff · 07-17-2014, 04:26 PM

If you have no qualms loading/shooting lead bullets, then Western Bullets sells a 92gr LRN bullet in the .310-.311in.(advertised as .309) diameter range cast specifically for the Luger. I have loaded and shot quite a number of these through my 30 luger handguns and find them a good product. I have also loaded the Hornady and Sierra 86gr JSP bullets that are .308in. dia. They can be used but you need to be very sure that you have adequate neck tension to avoid setback.

I feel that your load of Bullseye powder is far more than I would be comfortable with. Perhaps someone placed too strong of a mainspring in your Luger, and it does not want to function with normal loads. That might be worth checking/changing. These "old girls" don't do well with heavy +P+ loads very long before things start breaking.

Like Rick, I have moved away from the fast burning powders in the 30 luger brass, in favor of the medium burners. Unique is my choice of powder for this caliber. I have loaded a lot of 30 luger with Bullseye and Red Dot, I could get it to function, but not as consistently as the Unique powder. It is my main powder at this time for 30 luger and 9mm for my Lugers.

07-17-2014, 10:02 AM	#1
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,208 Thanks: 1,425 Thanked 4,474 Times in 2,343 Posts	I have found it odd that people coming to this forum say it is hard to find brass or bullets for the 7.65 Parabellum, or that loaded ammunition is more expensive...I have, in the past, converted .223 Remington cartridges to "30 Luger" (and "30 Mauser") but since Winchester makes readily available unprimed brass and Sierra makes nice bullets, I no longer bother... Sierra #8005 85gr FMJ-RN Winchester WSC30LU unprimed brass Hercules Red Dot powder - 4.0gr RCBS 25001 reloading dies I prefer RCBS for all my reloading equipment. Over the years, RCBS has offered at least three different "30 Luger" reloading die sets; my present set is a two-die set of what looks like recent manufacture [eBay purchase]. There is an old Lyman "30 Luger" reloading table 'stickied' in this forum; I have found that old manual to be very reliable for all my calibers. __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

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07-17-2014, 04:26 PM	#2
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,315 Thanks: 2,756 Thanked 999 Times in 734 Posts	If you have no qualms loading/shooting lead bullets, then Western Bullets sells a 92gr LRN bullet in the .310-.311in.(advertised as .309) diameter range cast specifically for the Luger. I have loaded and shot quite a number of these through my 30 luger handguns and find them a good product. I have also loaded the Hornady and Sierra 86gr JSP bullets that are .308in. dia. They can be used but you need to be very sure that you have adequate neck tension to avoid setback. I feel that your load of Bullseye powder is far more than I would be comfortable with. Perhaps someone placed too strong of a mainspring in your Luger, and it does not want to function with normal loads. That might be worth checking/changing. These "old girls" don't do well with heavy +P+ loads very long before things start breaking. Like Rick, I have moved away from the fast burning powders in the 30 luger brass, in favor of the medium burners. Unique is my choice of powder for this caliber. I have loaded a lot of 30 luger with Bullseye and Red Dot, I could get it to function, but not as consistently as the Unique powder. It is my main powder at this time for 30 luger and 9mm for my Lugers.