Shooting my first .30cal
 

Gents. I just shot my first .30 luger, what a hoot. I am debating reloading for it but the bullets are a problem. Has anyone tried the ammo from Samco. Thanks Joe

I don't shoot this caliber, but I think that Cheaperthandirt.com carries it ...

.312 Hornady .32 cal XTPs work great in .30s.

So do lead cast bullets. I use an aluminum mold from Lee. I also buy copper jacket .32 bullets when I find them at gun shows and run them thru a sizer to fit.
I actually prefer the lead.
Jerry Burney

Jerry, do you have any trouble running .32 copper bullets through the sizeing die. Joe.

I tried to order bullets from samco, they refused to send to New Jersey. Shame on them. Joe

Joe, Not really. They are a bit stiff but I use a silicone lubricant I get at Midway for spray lubing brass for sizing. They go right along actually.
I have fired many hundreds of the lead bullets with no trouble too.
The .30 is a bit tricky to load as the shoulder crushes occasionally apon bullet seating. I am using Lee dies but I think a good RCBS might be better. The Lee is a "floating bullet seater" I want to try a different die...

I like the Lee bullet molds though. The lead does not stick to aluminum and you can make a gob of bullets in a couple of hours.

The .30 Luger is a sweet flat, fast cartridge. Really a fun one to shoot. Too bad new cartridges are so expensive.
If you already have the brass and cast your own bullets you could re load them for $2.50 to three bucks for a box of 50!
Jerry Burney

Thanks Jerry, I enjoy reloading but I don't cast. I am trying to find a good bullet for reloading at a good price. I agree the .30 is a cool cartridge. Thanks Joe.

Joe, Exactly the problem, Hornady is awfully proud of their bullets. Rightfully so in certain circumstances but I am a long range plinker. I shoot 500 rounds when I go out. .45, 9MM, .30 .38 etc. At today's prices it makes the most sence to reload with cast bullets for me. A good breathing apparatus, a hot pot and an afternoon sets me up for many sessions at the range!
This is one of the reasons the Kalifornia ammo restrictions will never really fly. Too many reloaders out there.
Good Luck!
Jerry Burney

Do you fellows not get the Chinese ammo for this caliber over there . There were quite a few chinese copies of the Tokarev TT33 imported here and they take the same ammo. It does fluctuate in price but was quite cheap by the case full . Although I seem to remember the case of ammo was a bit more than the gun!

Came from two manufacturers , one had a lacqured steel case , brown in colour and was quite hot -- about 1450 fps . the other had a brass case with a single offset flash hole , berdan primed . It was not as hot - about 1250 fps . Both work well in my Mauser 96 and Tokarev copy.

Ray,

Aren't you mistaking .30 luger / .30 parabellum and .30 Mauser here?
Two different rounds, you know.

yes I probably am , but I believe at least two of those are interchangable, and I understood that the only significent difference was the "power" of the load . I use the same ammo in my M96 [.30 mauser] as in the tokarev
[7.62 x 25] and they work fine . Is the .30 Luger different again ?

I thought they were the same - I will have to look it up .

Hi,

Yes, the .30 luger round is shorter than the 7.63 Mauser / 7.62 Tokarev version.

The .30 luger / 7.65 Parabellum has a case length of some .893 - .850 inches, while the 7.63 Mauser / 7.62 Tokarev has a case length of .962 - 1 inch.

The OAL of the .30 luger is some 1.130 - 1.187 inches,
the OAL of the .30 Mauser is some 1.365 - 1.378.

The difference is some good .20 inches in length on average.

yes that is significant allright . will have to look up one of the better books on Ammunition of the world . still , if I ever get my hands on a nice Swiss Luger , I doubt I will want to shoot it --- but you never know !

Ok , I have had a look into this now . Of course my learned companions are correct . According to "cartridges of the world" .30 luger is 7.62 x 21mm.

Using a .308 to .309 bullet .

I was in luck as my local dealer was sitting on 100 cases , once fired , de capped and polished for $20 . so I snavelled them . also bought 100 projectiles 85grain soft points made by one of our local manufacturers "taipan" . Apparently we shoud be able to push them along at about 1100 FPS - quite respectable . Unusual headstamp on the cases
GFL parrabellum 7.65 !?

Now all I need is a nice .30 luger to shoot them in ? anybody ?

:bigbye:Cast bullets for the 30 Luger are available from these sources:

http://www.meisterbullets.com/asccus...22&navParent=0
.32 RNFP Weight: 94 GR Diameter: (.312)=$33.50/500-$10.71/100


www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/2,89.html
.313" 78 Grain Hard Cast Bullet for 32 ACP=$13.00 / Box of 100


www.cheycast.com
= 32 Cal 78 Grain RN .313 1000 $48.00


www.sanjuanrange.com
=.313 32 78GR RN BB $48.00/1000


www.laser-cast.com/32Cal.html
=500/$48.50-1000/$87.00


http://nationalbullet.com/
= 32Cal. 77gr. RN .312 hardcast $33.00/500- copperized $43.00/500