Reloading

Steve · 09-19-2001, 09:27 PM

I have a question about reloading. When resizing brass such as .223 down to either .30 Luger or Mauser, do you use a tube cutter for the initial shortening? And do you need special dies or will the normal sizing dies work? I have done a small amount of reloading but never this type of work.

Johnny Peppers · 09-19-2001, 09:40 PM

Steve,

A trim die is made that is hardened for trimming cases. I load for a .40-70 Sharps, and the basic brass that I buy is approximately 1/2" too long. I use a hacksaw to cut most of this off, leaving enough to clean up with a case trimmer. You can use a file to clean up the brass in the trim die as the die is too hard for the file to touch. I found some 50 tpi hacksaw blades that cuts the brass much easier than the regular blades.

Steve · 09-19-2001, 09:46 PM

The next question becomes, where do I find one of these special trim dies? I need one for a Mauser but the same answer would cover one for a Luger.

Johnny Peppers · 09-19-2001, 09:57 PM

Steve,

If you have a shop that handles reloading equipment you may can get them to order it, or you can check with cutomer service at RCBS. You can reach them at 1-800-533-5000 between 6:30am and 4:00pm Pacific Time. I have ordered several special dies through their customer service.

Hugh · 09-19-2001, 10:16 PM

Steve, why go to all that trouble when new Winchester 30 Luger brass is abundant and cheap on ebay?

Johnny Peppers · 09-20-2001, 12:02 AM

Also keep your eyes peeled at gunshows. I paid $5.00 a box of .30 Luger at a show a while back in a nice box with only 7 rounds missing.

Chip · 09-20-2001, 01:40 AM

Starline makes 30 Luger and 30 mauser brass. much easier way to go.

Steve · 09-20-2001, 03:07 AM

How do I contact Starline?

Steve · 09-20-2001, 03:19 AM

I just did some searching and found www.starlinebrass.com. Answered my own question

HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr · 09-20-2001, 05:33 AM

The 223 cases and 222 is to small at the base and the hole idea abouth making luger brass from them is not very good.

Years ago when we hired out guns for movies we converted H&K and Glock pistols to blanks.

We did also convert som e WZ23 subguns to blanks

We made our own blanks from 223 military ammo that we shortend down in a lathe and starcrimped in home made tools.

We shoot a bit full auto with those and sometime sit worked ok.

But there was uite a bit of jamming as the rounds did not stack correctly in the mag nor do do the extractor hold them good enough.

So Steve and others, stay away from 223 as a basic case and buy instead the correct brass from whoever makes it.

Regards HÃ?Â¥kan

http://www.vapensmedjan.com

JimP · 09-20-2001, 05:07 PM

I have formed .30Mauser pistol brass from .233 cases using the FL sizing die and VERY small amounts of Imperial Sizing Die Wax as the lubricant. (You know your using too much when you get dents in the case shoulder.) I then use a tubing cutter to shorten the case; and then a case trimmer for final length and to dress it up. This is no longer needed since Starline Brass makes these cases and also the .30 Luger. Try MidwayUSA.com. They usually carry them.

lugerholsterrepair · 09-20-2001, 06:55 PM

Do any of you in residence .30 luger reloaders have a good '"CHEAP"" source of bullets for the .30 Luger? I have sized .32 cal. bullets in the past but even they are expensive. I have cast my own but would like to buy 1000.00 rounds of copper jac. for reloading...Jerry

Steve · 09-20-2001, 09:14 PM

Since my post of last night, I was told of Starline and found their website. I totaly agree that using manufactred brass is the best way to go. The response to my reloaing question has really surprised me. This forum is GREAT!

Hugh · 09-21-2001, 12:52 AM

Jerry, there is an ad in the latest issue of GUN LIST for: "7.65 Parabellum/30 Luger dimensionally perfect pistol primed brass and bullets. New, pulled Fiocchi primed brass $50/500, bullets $25/500 plus shipping. 417-723-8921"

Steve · 09-23-2001, 02:48 AM

Would these bullets work for a Mauser?

Hugh · 09-23-2001, 10:24 AM

Yes, you can also get Hornady 90 gr XTP .308 for $9.77/100 and Sierra 85 gr SP .308 for $11.30/100 at Graf & Sons postpaid. These work in 30 Luger and 30 Mauser.Their website is www.grafs.com .

G.T. · 09-23-2001, 02:06 PM

or do you have to resize them ....what is the optimum dia. for .30 Luger?...till...later...G.T.

Thor · 09-23-2001, 02:10 PM

GT, as I remember it the correct diameter runs .309-.310 We can shrink them but I doubt you can make them fatter, except during firing a pressure swaging might be occuring that would do this. The .308 bullets work fairly well in My Luger and I think the only ones that Hugh sizes are the .312 and .311 bullets down to about .309. Thor

G.T. · 09-23-2001, 05:36 PM

but I will now! .309 to .310 it is! Thanks Ted! Till...later...G.T.

Hugh · 09-24-2001, 10:59 AM

09-19-2001, 09:27 PM	#1
Steve User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 200 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Reloading I have a question about reloading. When resizing brass such as .223 down to either .30 Luger or Mauser, do you use a tube cutter for the initial shortening? And do you need special dies or will the normal sizing dies work? I have done a small amount of reloading but never this type of work.

09-19-2001, 09:40 PM	#2
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Reloading Steve, A trim die is made that is hardened for trimming cases. I load for a .40-70 Sharps, and the basic brass that I buy is approximately 1/2" too long. I use a hacksaw to cut most of this off, leaving enough to clean up with a case trimmer. You can use a file to clean up the brass in the trim die as the die is too hard for the file to touch. I found some 50 tpi hacksaw blades that cuts the brass much easier than the regular blades.

09-19-2001, 09:46 PM	#3
Steve User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 200 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reloading The next question becomes, where do I find one of these special trim dies? I need one for a Mauser but the same answer would cover one for a Luger.

09-19-2001, 09:57 PM	#4
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Reloading Steve, If you have a shop that handles reloading equipment you may can get them to order it, or you can check with cutomer service at RCBS. You can reach them at 1-800-533-5000 between 6:30am and 4:00pm Pacific Time. I have ordered several special dies through their customer service.

09-19-2001, 10:16 PM	#5
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Reloading 30 Luger Steve, why go to all that trouble when new Winchester 30 Luger brass is abundant and cheap on ebay?

09-20-2001, 12:02 AM	#6
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Reloading 30 Luger Also keep your eyes peeled at gunshows. I paid $5.00 a box of .30 Luger at a show a while back in a nice box with only 7 rounds missing.

09-20-2001, 01:40 AM	#7
Chip User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reloading Starline makes 30 Luger and 30 mauser brass. much easier way to go.

09-20-2001, 03:07 AM	#8
Steve User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 200 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reloading How do I contact Starline?

09-20-2001, 03:19 AM	#9
Steve User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 200 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reloading I just did some searching and found www.starlinebrass.com. Answered my own question

09-20-2001, 05:33 AM	#10
HÃ?Â¥kan Spuhr User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 282 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	222 and 223 for 9mm and 30 luger The 223 cases and 222 is to small at the base and the hole idea abouth making luger brass from them is not very good. Years ago when we hired out guns for movies we converted H&K and Glock pistols to blanks. We did also convert som e WZ23 subguns to blanks We made our own blanks from 223 military ammo that we shortend down in a lathe and starcrimped in home made tools. We shoot a bit full auto with those and sometime sit worked ok. But there was uite a bit of jamming as the rounds did not stack correctly in the mag nor do do the extractor hold them good enough. So Steve and others, stay away from 223 as a basic case and buy instead the correct brass from whoever makes it. Regards HÃ?Â¥kan http://www.vapensmedjan.com

09-20-2001, 05:07 PM	#11
JimP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reloading I have formed .30Mauser pistol brass from .233 cases using the FL sizing die and VERY small amounts of Imperial Sizing Die Wax as the lubricant. (You know your using too much when you get dents in the case shoulder.) I then use a tubing cutter to shorten the case; and then a case trimmer for final length and to dress it up. This is no longer needed since Starline Brass makes these cases and also the .30 Luger. Try MidwayUSA.com. They usually carry them.

09-20-2001, 06:55 PM	#12
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Re: Copper jac bullets for .30 luger? Do any of you in residence .30 luger reloaders have a good '"CHEAP"" source of bullets for the .30 Luger? I have sized .32 cal. bullets in the past but even they are expensive. I have cast my own but would like to buy 1000.00 rounds of copper jac. for reloading...Jerry

09-20-2001, 09:14 PM	#13
Steve User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 200 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 222 and 223 for 9mm and 30 luger Since my post of last night, I was told of Starline and found their website. I totaly agree that using manufactred brass is the best way to go. The response to my reloaing question has really surprised me. This forum is GREAT!

09-21-2001, 12:52 AM	#14
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Copper jac bullets for .30 luger? Jerry, there is an ad in the latest issue of GUN LIST for: "7.65 Parabellum/30 Luger dimensionally perfect pistol primed brass and bullets. New, pulled Fiocchi primed brass $50/500, bullets $25/500 plus shipping. 417-723-8921"

09-23-2001, 02:48 AM	#15
Steve User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 200 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Copper jac bullets for .30 luger? Would these bullets work for a Mauser?

09-23-2001, 10:24 AM	#16
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Re: bullets for .30 luger/mauser Yes, you can also get Hornady 90 gr XTP .308 for $9.77/100 and Sierra 85 gr SP .308 for $11.30/100 at Graf & Sons postpaid. These work in 30 Luger and 30 Mauser.Their website is www.grafs.com .

09-23-2001, 02:06 PM	#17
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,507 Thanks: 1,318 Thanked 3,653 Times in 1,004 Posts	Hugh! Are they the correct size as they come... or do you have to resize them ....what is the optimum dia. for .30 Luger?...till...later...G.T.

09-23-2001, 02:10 PM	#18
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Re: Hugh! Are they the correct size as they come... GT, as I remember it the correct diameter runs .309-.310 We can shrink them but I doubt you can make them fatter, except during firing a pressure swaging might be occuring that would do this. The .308 bullets work fairly well in My Luger and I think the only ones that Hugh sizes are the .312 and .311 bullets down to about .309. Thor

09-23-2001, 05:36 PM	#19
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,507 Thanks: 1,318 Thanked 3,653 Times in 1,004 Posts	Thanks Ted! I couldn't remember...... but I will now! .309 to .310 it is! Thanks Ted! Till...later...G.T.

09-24-2001, 10:59 AM	#20
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Ted is correct (EOM)