.30 Mauser Trouble
 

I've started reloading for my .30 Mauser and I'm having trouble keeping the slugs straight in the loaded cases. Many of them have the slug tipped a little to one side. This is not conducive to easy chambering. I'm using new Starline brass, Sierra 85 grain JSP, and new Lee dies. I've been reloading for a long time, but this is my first time reloading a bottle necked pistol cartridge.

Any ideas ?

Thanks,
John

Round nose seating die insert??? Or flat nose wadcutter insert???

I only use RCBS so I'm not familiar with the Lee die setup. Maybe flare your case neck slightly - Sounds like it may not be expanded enough for a good 'start'...

yes, assure you have a good chamfer on the case neck, and maybe try just barely start seating the bullet, turn the case 180 degrees and finish seating

If it is the Lee "floating head die" I know why your having this problem.

What he said. I reload the 30 Luger brass, and use Sierra 86gr JSP and Hornady 86gr JSP bullets. Bottleneck pistol brass is a bit harder to get your whole set of dies adjusted for, but once correct, then things go pretty smooth. A bit more belling of the case mouth, and a seating bell that is correct for the bullet profile is very important.....as you most likely know. I had a bad experience with my Lee 30 Luger dies(quality control issue), and purchased RCBS dies and have been pleased with them.

Hi:

This is a common problem with all bottle neck pistol cartridges, as I've experienced it with the 7.65 Luger and 8mm Nambu as well.

Adjust your die to slightly, and I mean slightly, bell the case mouth just enough to let the entire base of the bullet enter the mouth. Make sure to remove the bell by adjusting your seating die accordingly.

This should take care of the problem nicely.

Sieger

Hey, thanks for the ideas. It is re-assuring to know I'm not the only one who has struggled with these little buggers.

The bullet (85grn, RNJSP) is so short that there is very little support to guide it into the case mouth. The folks at Lee Precision suggested drilling the seating plug cavity a little deeper. I'll try chamfering, belling and give some thought to changing the seating plug.

Thanks again,
John