Reloading .30 Luger Ammo

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by Clockmaker

Do not yet own luger. Am 87 years old...gotta get moving. Already load for 9mm but am interested in .30. It appears RCBS still makes dies. Have read somewhere that .30 luger barrels vary greatly in bore diameter...is this true? What does everybody do for bullets? Suggestions on how to proceed?

Clockmaker,

DWM barrel groove diameters measure a very uniform .311 inch; thus, full metal jacket bullets can measure up to that size.
Cast lead bullets can safely range up to .313 inch diameter.

It is true that the original DWM 7.65 Luger was loaded with bullets under size to groove by .003 inches. Just why this was done, I have yet to figure out. Please note, however, that 7.63x25 Mauser, as well as, 7.62x25 Tokarev all use these under size bullets.

If you would look back through the Shooting & Reloading section of this site, you will find several very helpful posts regarding handloading the 7.65 Luger.

Respectfully,


Sieger