Reloading help for the .30 cal. - Page 2

sheepherder · 07-20-2014, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K.Wilhelm

my powder guy told me a number of years ago that HP-38 and W-231 are exactly the same powder...

None of my reloading manuals show a "HP-38" nor do any of the two LGS's have it in stock (or anything else for that matter) but I'll keep it in mind.

(I'm downloading Hodgdon's latest manual now)

Edit: FWIW, the Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester combined manual above lists the W231 load for the 115gr FMJ 9mm bullet at 5.1grs, which is exactly the load I came up with empirically for my 5" barreled S&W 659...It's 'sweet' load...

K.Wilhelm · 07-20-2014, 06:28 PM

HP-38 is a Hodgdon powder. I'm using 4.7 grains with an 86 grain bullet. KW

Sergio Natali · 07-21-2014, 05:04 AM

Sorry mates if I keep repeating myself but as an incurable shooter, I always put "safe shooting" first, that's why I always say that before you go to the range with your Luger have it properly checked by a competent armourer and in any case NEVER shoot modern and fast cartridges in old Lugers.

Sergio

RAY1946 · 08-01-2014, 05:38 AM

I just checked Gunbroker and the guy in Kentucky still has the .30 Luger Swiss made brass for $79.95+ 7.95 shipping. He must have a bunch of it. I'm thinking about ordering some for myself, even though I have 500 Starlines I haven't begun loading yet........................

sheepherder · 08-02-2014, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAY1946

I just checked Gunbroker and the guy in Kentucky still has the .30 Luger Swiss made brass for $79.95+ 7.95 shipping. He must have a bunch of it. I'm thinking about ordering some for myself, even though I have 500 Starlines I haven't begun loading yet........................

Still got the auction number??? I'm doing a long barrel something in 30 Luger and have 200 cases but more might be a good idea...

rhuff · 08-03-2014, 04:44 PM

I am not sure if our own GT will sell any/some of his new Winchester 30 Luger brass. It comes in #100 bags and is excellent brass. It might be worth giving him a shout if you are interested.

I believe that this is the same fella that had the Swiss 92gr
.309in. dia FMJ bullets for sale. GT purchased a fair amount of it, and I purchased some from GT. They are very nice bullets for 30 Luger brass.

G.T. · 08-03-2014, 09:10 PM

Thanks Doc, I do have a few bags of brand new .30 Luger Winchester brass... I would sell them for $20.00 ea. shipped.. they are 100 pieces per bag.... Best to all, til..lat'r...GT

cliffdropover1 · 08-05-2014, 08:46 AM

How about sharing some of your reloading formulas. Bullet weight, powder type and amount? I would really appreciate that.

sheepherder · 08-05-2014, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffdropover1

How about sharing some of your reloading formulas. Bullet weight, powder type and amount? I would really appreciate that.

Is that damned 'Search' function broken again???

Cliff, send a PM to Ed Tinker and let him know that the 'Search' doesn't work again...

(I swear, you pay good money for forum software and the search only works sporadically...That's terrible...)

cliffdropover1 · 08-05-2014, 09:12 AM

You are right, I can't find anything using "search" How about posting some of your favorite formulas? I am very new here and perhaps don't do the "search" thing correctly and I sure don't know how to do a pm. That's why I am asking for a short posting. Thanks for any help here.

sheepherder · 08-05-2014, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffdropover1

You are right, I can't find anything using "search" How about posting some of your favorite formulas? I am very new here and perhaps don't do the "search" thing correctly and I sure don't know how to do a pm. That's why I am asking for a short posting. Thanks for any help here.

That's OK; I don't get any love from the 'Search' either. I keep 'Searching' for pics of Ed's completed Luger carbine and come up empty...

Here's a link to the Lyman manual showing loads for the 30 Luger. Sieger also posts data for his 30 Luger reloads, just keep looking for his name in this forum.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=24952

cliffdropover1 · 08-05-2014, 09:37 AM

Thanks. That helps. Still would like to know what is your favorite load?

cliffdropover1 · 08-05-2014, 10:25 AM

Getting real frustrated here. I cannot find bullets for the .30 cal. Western does not answer the phone. Hornady only makes a hollow point that doesn't feed well. I WILL NOT overload my luger. I am looking for a load using W231 or Bullseye powder. I have reloaded for many many years, shoot in competitions and am a certified NRA pistol instructor. I know some of the information on the web can be dangerous and will always keep that in mind. I was hoping someone out there had successfully used W231, Bullseye, or Power Pistol and could tell me their formula. I will always use caution and take full responsibility for any load I try. Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share their information.

rhuff · 08-05-2014, 05:07 PM

I have been loading 30 Luger for quite some time, but have only have a few loadings for Bullseye powder. I have used a number of different powders in trying to find "THE" perfect powder for my brass and handguns. Some time ago I tried a slower powder(Unique) and find, for me, more reliable results than with the fast powders like Bullseye, and Red Dot.

DOUBLE CHECK MY NUMBERS BEFORE USING THEM. START 10% LOWER FOR STARTING LOAD AND WORK UP!!!

(1) Western Bullet 93gr LRN 4.0gr Bullseye @ OAL 1.150 +/-

(2) Hornady 86gr JSP 4.1gr Bullseye @ OAL 1.158 +/-

(3) Hornady .309in. 92gr JHP with 3.9- 4.2gr Bullseye @ OAL 1.106-1.111 +/-

These are near/at max loads in order to get reliable functioning on MY LUGERS. You Luger may function on lower loadings. Be safe, my friend, and let me know how things go for you.

cliffdropover1 · 08-05-2014, 05:46 PM

Thanks for the information. I am getting some 100 grain round nose flat point .309 lead bullets to experiment with. I cannot get any Unique powder here, but am continually looking.

cliffdropover1 · 08-09-2014, 12:31 AM

Just got the 100 grain lead bullets to try. Does anyone have suggestions as to loads for these? I have Bullseye, W231 and Power Pistol powders to experiment with. However, I would really like to get some working recipes here and not just start out with no reference point. Long story short, I want to stay safe. Thanks in advance for any help here. Also, does anyone know if Western bullet is still in business?

nukem556 · 08-09-2014, 10:56 PM

If you want to stay safe, stay away from fast powders......Bullseye and 231 are TOO fast for .30. Power Pistol is a good burn rate, if you can find loading data for it.

cliffdropover1 · 08-10-2014, 12:07 AM

I forgot that I have some Clays too that HAS been used for pistol cartridges. The problem is that most reloading manuals consider the .30 luger obsolete so they either don't offer anything at all for .30 Luger or they don't have any data for the newer powders. Therefore my frustration. (Some of the older manuals do have data using Bullseye)

rhuff · 08-10-2014, 06:05 PM

If I were going to work up some 30 luger loads with Bullseye(I fully understand your reasoning) and 100gr LRN bullets, I would start 10% below starting Bullseye load for 93gr LRN, which is 3.5gr. I would only load a few(5-10), as they will most likely not cycle your toggle train, but it will be a safe load. To me, that is paramount. Then you can start sneaking up on your load .1-.2gr at a time. Once you get it to function reliably, you have your baseline. The only load data that I have for 100gr LRN is as follows:

(1) AAC-2 4.3gr 1,233fps

(2) AAC-5 5.5gr 1,280fps

(3) AAC-7 6.9gr 1,294fps

To my knowledge, there is no printed data for 30 Luger and Power Pistol.....I wish that there was. I feel that it would be a very good powder for 30 luger.

cliffdropover1 · 08-10-2014, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the information. It looks like I am going to have a bit of work to do, but it's what I call "fun" work.

07-20-2014, 06:28 PM	#22
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 109 Times in 66 Posts	HP-38 is a Hodgdon powder. I'm using 4.7 grains with an 86 grain bullet. KW __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

07-21-2014, 05:04 AM	#23
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Sorry mates if I keep repeating myself but as an incurable shooter, I always put "safe shooting" first, that's why I always say that before you go to the range with your Luger have it properly checked by a competent armourer and in any case NEVER shoot modern and fast cartridges in old Lugers. Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

08-03-2014, 09:10 PM	#27
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,485 Thanks: 1,283 Thanked 3,581 Times in 989 Posts	.30 Luger brass Thanks Doc, I do have a few bags of brand new .30 Luger Winchester brass... I would sell them for $20.00 ea. shipped.. they are 100 pieces per bag.... Best to all, til..lat'r...GT

08-01-2014, 05:38 AM	#24
RAY1946 User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 77 Thanks: 178 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	I just checked Gunbroker and the guy in Kentucky still has the .30 Luger Swiss made brass for $79.95+ 7.95 shipping. He must have a bunch of it. I'm thinking about ordering some for myself, even though I have 500 Starlines I haven't begun loading yet........................

08-03-2014, 04:44 PM	#26
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	I am not sure if our own GT will sell any/some of his new Winchester 30 Luger brass. It comes in #100 bags and is excellent brass. It might be worth giving him a shout if you are interested. I believe that this is the same fella that had the Swiss 92gr .309in. dia FMJ bullets for sale. GT purchased a fair amount of it, and I purchased some from GT. They are very nice bullets for 30 Luger brass.

08-05-2014, 08:46 AM	#28
cliffdropover1 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 65 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	How about sharing some of your reloading formulas. Bullet weight, powder type and amount? I would really appreciate that.

08-05-2014, 09:12 AM	#30
cliffdropover1 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 65 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	You are right, I can't find anything using "search" How about posting some of your favorite formulas? I am very new here and perhaps don't do the "search" thing correctly and I sure don't know how to do a pm. That's why I am asking for a short posting. Thanks for any help here.

08-05-2014, 09:37 AM	#32
cliffdropover1 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 65 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	Thanks. That helps. Still would like to know what is your favorite load?

08-05-2014, 10:25 AM	#33
cliffdropover1 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 65 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	Getting real frustrated here. I cannot find bullets for the .30 cal. Western does not answer the phone. Hornady only makes a hollow point that doesn't feed well. I WILL NOT overload my luger. I am looking for a load using W231 or Bullseye powder. I have reloaded for many many years, shoot in competitions and am a certified NRA pistol instructor. I know some of the information on the web can be dangerous and will always keep that in mind. I was hoping someone out there had successfully used W231, Bullseye, or Power Pistol and could tell me their formula. I will always use caution and take full responsibility for any load I try. Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share their information.

08-05-2014, 05:07 PM	#34
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	I have been loading 30 Luger for quite some time, but have only have a few loadings for Bullseye powder. I have used a number of different powders in trying to find "THE" perfect powder for my brass and handguns. Some time ago I tried a slower powder(Unique) and find, for me, more reliable results than with the fast powders like Bullseye, and Red Dot. DOUBLE CHECK MY NUMBERS BEFORE USING THEM. START 10% LOWER FOR STARTING LOAD AND WORK UP!!! (1) Western Bullet 93gr LRN 4.0gr Bullseye @ OAL 1.150 +/- (2) Hornady 86gr JSP 4.1gr Bullseye @ OAL 1.158 +/- (3) Hornady .309in. 92gr JHP with 3.9- 4.2gr Bullseye @ OAL 1.106-1.111 +/- These are near/at max loads in order to get reliable functioning on MY LUGERS. You Luger may function on lower loadings. Be safe, my friend, and let me know how things go for you.

08-05-2014, 05:46 PM	#35
cliffdropover1 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 65 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	Thanks for the information. I am getting some 100 grain round nose flat point .309 lead bullets to experiment with. I cannot get any Unique powder here, but am continually looking.

08-09-2014, 12:31 AM	#36
cliffdropover1 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 65 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	Just got the 100 grain lead bullets to try. Does anyone have suggestions as to loads for these? I have Bullseye, W231 and Power Pistol powders to experiment with. However, I would really like to get some working recipes here and not just start out with no reference point. Long story short, I want to stay safe. Thanks in advance for any help here. Also, does anyone know if Western bullet is still in business?

08-09-2014, 10:56 PM	#37
nukem556 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 625 Thanks: 35 Thanked 168 Times in 107 Posts	If you want to stay safe, stay away from fast powders......Bullseye and 231 are TOO fast for .30. Power Pistol is a good burn rate, if you can find loading data for it.

08-10-2014, 12:07 AM	#38
cliffdropover1 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 65 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	I forgot that I have some Clays too that HAS been used for pistol cartridges. The problem is that most reloading manuals consider the .30 luger obsolete so they either don't offer anything at all for .30 Luger or they don't have any data for the newer powders. Therefore my frustration. (Some of the older manuals do have data using Bullseye)

08-10-2014, 06:05 PM	#39
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	If I were going to work up some 30 luger loads with Bullseye(I fully understand your reasoning) and 100gr LRN bullets, I would start 10% below starting Bullseye load for 93gr LRN, which is 3.5gr. I would only load a few(5-10), as they will most likely not cycle your toggle train, but it will be a safe load. To me, that is paramount. Then you can start sneaking up on your load .1-.2gr at a time. Once you get it to function reliably, you have your baseline. The only load data that I have for 100gr LRN is as follows: (1) AAC-2 4.3gr 1,233fps (2) AAC-5 5.5gr 1,280fps (3) AAC-7 6.9gr 1,294fps To my knowledge, there is no printed data for 30 Luger and Power Pistol.....I wish that there was. I feel that it would be a very good powder for 30 luger.

08-10-2014, 09:27 PM	#40
cliffdropover1 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 65 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	Thanks for the information. It looks like I am going to have a bit of work to do, but it's what I call "fun" work.