I just fireformed some 30-30 brass for my 7-30 Waters. Looks like it is going to shoot great. But I was having some cases bust at the shoulder line. I am using a mid range load, it may be too hot. What are FF load are you using? I am setting bullets into the lands, holding everything tight. I lost 10 cases out of 40. I have 60 more, what to do? I think I will go with 7-30 brass from now on.

Mark

comparing with fireforming 30-30AI cases....if they were "fired" 30-30 cases, then they may be hardened. you can anneal them to soften(something i've never done), or it is best to start with NEW unfired brass imo.
i've fireformed lot's of 30-30AI brass with maximum 30-30 loads.

sounds like the brass was too hard...as previous poster mentioned use new, brass and if doing that try a different brand. I used new Federal cases to make 7 GNR brass from 30-30 cases with zero case loss and that case ends up with a much more improved shoulder than a 7x30. You could also try to add a false shoulder to help support the case neck during firing and prevent any motion of the case (which seating the bullets in the lands should have also done...)

If you have a propane torch heat up the neck area while holding the base of the case. When the case becomes too hot to hold drop it in a pail of water to quench. This will anneal the case and make it easier to form.

I did start with new Win 30-30 brass. I did think for the false shoulder, but did not do it. I looked at my FF loads, I pushed the bullets into the lands a bit more. Do full power loads work best?

Mark

Not when you are pushing the lands.

Look into fire forming with corn meal. No bullet needed. Worked well in my 357 Herret which is going the other way for ya but still the same process.

Load with a fast burning powder and fill with corn meal to the top with a wax or cardboard seal. Point STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR and BOOM you have a perfectly fire formed case with no headspace problems.

It's been many years since I did this so GOOGLE it or maybe somebody will chime in to help you.

It does work !!!!


WVS329.

Mark, you skipped an IMPORTANT step !!!!!!



WVS329

Mark, use Imperial sizing wax when reforming brass.


You can thank me later!!!

WVShiner329

all that sounds good. I have done the corn meal thing before. I will try the lube.
Thanks
Mark

You should reduce your FF load by about 10% or what ever load just fully forms the shoulder. That's the thing about wildcatting - you have to tinker with things until they work the way you want. Most of my FF loads have been accurate enough to hunt with but I have had cases that split the neck if they were left too long in the pre-fireformed stated but loaded...

Sorry for the tangent, but Uh oh...define "too long" please.

I have some 257JDJ loads that I couldn't see shooting for the sake of shooting as they were right at an inch at 100. They have been carried afield, and loaded since August...guess I'll have to burn them up soon and see how the necks survive.

I had about 80 Un-fireformed and loaded 309's that sat in the box for about a year and every single one of them had a split neck when I went to FF them. The ones I had shot were fine.

I changed the powder to W748, used a light starting load, jammed the bullets into the lands more, and lubed the case shoulder with Imp wax, no more busted cases.

Thanks guys

Mark