Resizng bullets to .30

MarkC · 10-13-2003, 12:33 PM

I have started to reload for the .30 Luger cartridge and have found the selection of bullet heads somewhat limited (Hornady-90g and Sierra-85g). A fellow reloader has recommended resizing .32 bullets to .30, have any of you had success with this? Also, I am experienced in reloading with my Dillon 650 but don't cast my own, what equipment would you suggest to purchase for resizing bullets since I have not done that before? (Lee, RCBS,??)

Thanks for your help.

Doubs · 10-13-2003, 12:59 PM

I use my Lyman Lubri-Sizer and standard H&I dies. I reduce the bullets .002" per pass. i.e., I take them from .312" to .310" in the first pass and then to.308" on the second pass. I use a round nose top punch that reforms the lead nose on bullets that have them...... helps them feed through the mag better IMO.

IF you are shooting them in an original Luger, you may want to stay at .310" as the original pistols used a nominal groove diameter of .310 - 312". Newer pistols have seemingly gone to .308" groove diameter as standard. However, be certain that your chamber will accept the cartridge when loaded with the .310" bullets... newer pistols in particular are not likely to.

Some of my original Lugers will take the cartridge when loaded with .312" bullets depending upon the thickness of the case necks. Winchester is thinner than Remington. I have reduced Remington case necks to .008" thickness and used them with .312" bullets.

When I first began reloading for the .30 Luger, cases were nearly impossible to find so I made mine from .223 brass. Reducing neck thickness was manditory so I bought a Forrester Trimmer. It's slow but very good and it still comes in handy now and again.

unspellable · 10-13-2003, 01:15 PM

As always, slug the barrel. The nominal barrel size is 0.311. My Ruger P89 is this size. If you have a 0.308 barrel, it was probably rebarreled in the US using 0.308 barrel stock. The thing to watch out for is the outside case neck diameter. You must leave room for it to expand inside the chamber neck or pressures will climb. Current US made brass is thick enough in the neck walls to make this an issue if you use 0.310 to 0.312 size bullets.

I talked to an engineer at one of the bullet companies about the question of re-sizing jacketed bullets for the 7.65 Luger. He was not too keen on it on the grounds that the jacket will tend to spring back more than the core and may seperate. On the other hand I've heard of others doing this and no serious complaints as of yet.

For the absolute ultimate in accuracy the jacketed bullet shoud be groove diameter and the case necks shaved or reamed if neccesary to get proper case neck to chamber clearance. The maximum outside diameter of the loaded case neck should be 0.001 smaller than the inside diamter of the chamber neck. Another test is take the pistol apart and fully chamber the loaded cartridge in the barrel. When the barrel is pointed straight up the cartridge should fall out of its own weight.

This raises another aspect of the 30 Luger cartrdige project. I'll have to make some chamber casts and see how the neck diameters actually run.

MarkC · 10-13-2003, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the great info! I will slug the barrel and give your advise a "shot". The .30 Luger I aquired at a recent gun show in Springfield, MA. It is a commercial Luger with a newer 5 digit e/n proofed (mint bore) barrel. The gun has a brass "pin" type front sight and was refinished nicely, a long time ago. Other than the barrel, the gun appears to be original. I put 150 rounds through her this weekend without a problem. Traded the dealer for an AC44 P38 and a few $$$.

Thor · 10-13-2003, 02:46 PM

I agree with UNSPELLABLE, better slug your barrel, the 30 Luger barrel I had slugged .3115", I believe the newer ones run around .308"

Hugh · 10-13-2003, 08:03 PM

<img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" /> Mark,

I stared resizing mine with an old Lyman Lubrisizer, but relized it was putting quite a strain on it with the jacketed bullets. I bought a RCBS and it works much better. They are not very expensive from Midway or Graf & Sons.

I use the .311, then the .310, then the .309. They end up miking .3095, so there is a little "spring back" with the jacketed bullets. However, I have had good success with them.

The only reason I go .001 step at a time is just because I have the dies, you could probably go in .002 steps ok.

The only jacketed bullets that I'm resizing are the .312 60 gr Gold Dot and XTP, as there are 85 and 93 gr .308 jacketed softpoints available from Sierra and Hornady.

There are a couple of cast bullet makers that will cast lead 30 Luger bullets to your specs (dia, hardness and weight). If you want the website addresses, email me.

<img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

10-13-2003, 12:33 PM	#1
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 482 Thanks: 1 Thanked 126 Times in 29 Posts	Resizng bullets to .30 I have started to reload for the .30 Luger cartridge and have found the selection of bullet heads somewhat limited (Hornady-90g and Sierra-85g). A fellow reloader has recommended resizing .32 bullets to .30, have any of you had success with this? Also, I am experienced in reloading with my Dillon 650 but don't cast my own, what equipment would you suggest to purchase for resizing bullets since I have not done that before? (Lee, RCBS,??) Thanks for your help.

10-13-2003, 02:46 PM	#5
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	I agree with UNSPELLABLE, better slug your barrel, the 30 Luger barrel I had slugged .3115", I believe the newer ones run around .308" __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

10-13-2003, 08:03 PM	#6
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 166 Times in 65 Posts	<img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" /> Mark, I stared resizing mine with an old Lyman Lubrisizer, but relized it was putting quite a strain on it with the jacketed bullets. I bought a RCBS and it works much better. They are not very expensive from Midway or Graf & Sons. I use the .311, then the .310, then the .309. They end up miking .3095, so there is a little "spring back" with the jacketed bullets. However, I have had good success with them. The only reason I go .001 step at a time is just because I have the dies, you could probably go in .002 steps ok. The only jacketed bullets that I'm resizing are the .312 60 gr Gold Dot and XTP, as there are 85 and 93 gr .308 jacketed softpoints available from Sierra and Hornady. There are a couple of cast bullet makers that will cast lead 30 Luger bullets to your specs (dia, hardness and weight). If you want the website addresses, email me. <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" /> __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

10-13-2003, 12:59 PM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,736 Thanks: 819 Thanked 1,769 Times in 586 Posts	I use my Lyman Lubri-Sizer and standard H&I dies. I reduce the bullets .002" per pass. i.e., I take them from .312" to .310" in the first pass and then to.308" on the second pass. I use a round nose top punch that reforms the lead nose on bullets that have them...... helps them feed through the mag better IMO. IF you are shooting them in an original Luger, you may want to stay at .310" as the original pistols used a nominal groove diameter of .310 - 312". Newer pistols have seemingly gone to .308" groove diameter as standard. However, be certain that your chamber will accept the cartridge when loaded with the .310" bullets... newer pistols in particular are not likely to. Some of my original Lugers will take the cartridge when loaded with .312" bullets depending upon the thickness of the case necks. Winchester is thinner than Remington. I have reduced Remington case necks to .008" thickness and used them with .312" bullets. When I first began reloading for the .30 Luger, cases were nearly impossible to find so I made mine from .223 brass. Reducing neck thickness was manditory so I bought a Forrester Trimmer. It's slow but very good and it still comes in handy now and again.

10-13-2003, 01:15 PM	#3
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	As always, slug the barrel. The nominal barrel size is 0.311. My Ruger P89 is this size. If you have a 0.308 barrel, it was probably rebarreled in the US using 0.308 barrel stock. The thing to watch out for is the outside case neck diameter. You must leave room for it to expand inside the chamber neck or pressures will climb. Current US made brass is thick enough in the neck walls to make this an issue if you use 0.310 to 0.312 size bullets. I talked to an engineer at one of the bullet companies about the question of re-sizing jacketed bullets for the 7.65 Luger. He was not too keen on it on the grounds that the jacket will tend to spring back more than the core and may seperate. On the other hand I've heard of others doing this and no serious complaints as of yet. For the absolute ultimate in accuracy the jacketed bullet shoud be groove diameter and the case necks shaved or reamed if neccesary to get proper case neck to chamber clearance. The maximum outside diameter of the loaded case neck should be 0.001 smaller than the inside diamter of the chamber neck. Another test is take the pistol apart and fully chamber the loaded cartridge in the barrel. When the barrel is pointed straight up the cartridge should fall out of its own weight. This raises another aspect of the 30 Luger cartrdige project. I'll have to make some chamber casts and see how the neck diameters actually run.

10-13-2003, 01:55 PM	#4
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 482 Thanks: 1 Thanked 126 Times in 29 Posts	Thanks for the great info! I will slug the barrel and give your advise a "shot". The .30 Luger I aquired at a recent gun show in Springfield, MA. It is a commercial Luger with a newer 5 digit e/n proofed (mint bore) barrel. The gun has a brass "pin" type front sight and was refinished nicely, a long time ago. Other than the barrel, the gun appears to be original. I put 150 rounds through her this weekend without a problem. Traded the dealer for an AC44 P38 and a few $$$.