30-30 AI from 375 brass

[omcforever]

I remember seeing a post awhiles back on how to form 30-30 AI brass from from 375 winchester. If anyone knows the post or the proper process and procedure, passing it on would be appreciated. Thanks     Art

[cwlongshot]

 Doing this is not really advantageous..
 As the 375 actually has less capacity than a std 30-30 win. The entire reason for a AI is to INCREASE case cap to hold more powder and increase performance. Any strength you believe you are gaining with the use of 375 brass is so infinitesimal its not worth mentioning. Remember, we are talking about brass here, not steel. The case is merely a vessel that holds the powder, it has no strength pertaining to the "power" or the pressures of the cartridge.

 Maybe its just me, but I don't see why one would want to inproove a cartridge by going to an IMP. chamber, only to reduce it again by forming cases from a case with less capacity. 

CW

[Graybeard]

The only advantage I can see is that you can form the case in one step in a sizer die with no fire forming as is required for the standard .30-30 case. You could of course do the same with a .30-30 case in two steps without fire forming if you have a .375 sizer die to open it up first. I'd save those expensive .375 cases for what they were made for and use the .30-30 brass personally.

[sooter]

I use the 375 winchester case for all 30-30 based cartridges like my 22X30-30 Improved, 6mmX30-30 Improved, 7X30 waters, 30-30 Ackley Improved and 35X30-30 Improved - all of which are H&R ultra rifles.

To make 30-30 Ackley improved brass from 375 winchester brass, run new 357 brass through a 30-30 size die and size the neck just enough for the action to close. Now, load and fireform with a starting load for the regular 30-30 winchester. After fireforming, trim the case just enough to make a clean cut all around the case mouth and no more.

I also use a flash hole deburring tool from Sinclair International to chamfer the inside of the flashole for more uniform ignition from shot to shot.

[quickdtoo]

I use 375 Win brass since I load to a QL predicted ~60kpsi, I use several FL dies to get there, 35 Rem, 338 Federal, 32 Spcl, a Redding 30-30 Imp trim/body die then Hornady 30-30 Improved to push the shoulder back just until the brass allow the action to close and lock up good, the brass comes out almost perfectly formed, well enough that it doesn't need to be fire formed. They do need to be neck turned tho for my chamber, they're a little tight due to the much thicker brass.

Tim

[omcforever]

Gentlemen, I really appreatiate all the good input you provide as usual. I use the 30-30 AI not for making barn burners but for the better case taper, a little better case life( I get usually 2-3 more loadings), it is a tack driver at 100 yards with nosler 125 BT and 3031, and the fact it looks just like a minature version of my K-hornet. Looks like its too much trouble and cost for what I do with it. Thanks    Art

[Fred M]

  Maybe its just me, but I don't see why one would want to improve a cartridge by going to an IMP. chamber, only to reduce it again by forming cases from a case with less capacity. 

I 100% agree with cwlongshot. The 30-30 case is plenty strong for the AI. If something needs to be done to the 30-30AI is to move the shoulder foreward for more case capacity, .300" neck length would be just fine.

[omcforever]

Thanks Fred, Appreatiate the info,,,Art

[Fred M]

Just to give my point a little background about the strength of the standard 30-30 case.

Hunter Benchrest shooters (HBR) have long been using the 30-30 case and have modified it and improved it. One of the most
winning and known is the 30 Aardvark. The rim is turned off and an ejector groove milled in the base. Case walls are straighten and the case shortened to achieve a 45.5gr water volume, which is a requirement for HBR. Shoulder angle varies with different designs from 30 to 35 deg. the 35 is the most common.

There are several versions of the 30-30imp designs, most all are
super accurate. All these cases are used in modern and strong bolt actions. I don't have pressure data but 65ksi is not unreasonable. 120 and 125gr match bullets are are propelled above 3000 ft per sec. in tight chambers and necks.

The loadings for HBR would not be suitable for a Handi for sure.
Even a 60ksi load is stressing the Handi's frame and reduces case life. If it makes anybody feel better  by all means use 375Win cases for the 30-30AI or its derivatives.

[quickdtoo]

I'll let you know on the case life, I'm on my 3rd reloading with near zero case growth so far, next bullet I'm loading is the 130gr TTSX with a BC of .350. 

Tim

[Fred M]

Tim
It is a  well known fact that the AI design will give you more reloads. Some brass will do better than others. Real good brass
like Lapua and RWS will also cost a lot more. The greater number of reloads will reduce the cost of the brass.

Then you have to look at the extra cost of tools in the case of the 375Win necked down to 30-30, when regular Winchester case will do just fine specially in a Handi.

One of these days I find a 30-30 and turn it into a 30-30Imp.
Also my 30BR shoots 125gr at 2950 not bad for a wee case.