Reloading .30 Luger for my “No Matching Parts 1900”.

Doubs · 07-21-2024, 12:48 PM

According to an NRA publication I have, the correct groove diameter for a .30 Luger is .310". Thus .308" & .309" bullets work well. I used to run .312" bullets through a .310" sizing die and they worked great.

The 100 grain .308" Speer "Plinker" bullet, a half jacketed design, works well IF you can get the correct neck tension to prevent setback of the bullets under recoil. They are also cheaper than the other available pistol bullets which, IMO, are overpriced.

In order to get the proper neck tension with the Plinker bullet, I bought a tool that impresses a cannelure on the half jacket and allows a roll crimp to be used. It takes a little time but it works.

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07-21-2024, 12:48 PM	#10
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,742 Thanks: 826 Thanked 1,788 Times in 590 Posts	According to an NRA publication I have, the correct groove diameter for a .30 Luger is .310". Thus .308" & .309" bullets work well. I used to run .312" bullets through a .310" sizing die and they worked great. The 100 grain .308" Speer "Plinker" bullet, a half jacketed design, works well IF you can get the correct neck tension to prevent setback of the bullets under recoil. They are also cheaper than the other available pistol bullets which, IMO, are overpriced. In order to get the proper neck tension with the Plinker bullet, I bought a tool that impresses a cannelure on the half jacket and allows a roll crimp to be used. It takes a little time but it works.