Mr. Stanton,
I've read all your tech notes on the .30-30 AI until I'm both more "enlightened" and more confused. I haven't loaded rifle ammo very much. I have a Dillon 550 and a Rockchucker that has never been set up, let alone used. I want to do the AI on my .30-30, along with a bunch of other modifications done by some "expert" gunsmith (recommendations accepted cheerfully, and greatfully here).

To the point. I'm confused as to how to set up to load the AI. You say use a a normal die set.

I started out with no knowledge with the Dillon .30-30 die set. I now have the Hornady seater and Lee Factory Crimp die.

The setup I used to learn with, after replacing the Dillon seater is, by stage 1-4;
1. Dillon sizing die
2. Dillon power/expander, the only one I can use on a Dillon press.
3. Hornady seater. Because my Dillon seater kept crushing the brass and there was nothing I could do to fix it.
I crimped in the seater stage (3).
4. Lee Factory Crimp (which I have never used).

Early in your article you said use the Hornady, then you talked about the Lee Collet die set.
My question is, in order of stage 1, 2, 3, etc., ideally, what die would you use in each stage, including the Lee Collet and Factory Crimp die, if you advise, on the Dillon?

I also have a Lyman M die, which I can not use on the Dillon, as you know, because it is used to expand, and that is done in the powder stage (2) on the Dillon.

I'm not too enthusiastic about loading rifle cartridges on the Dillon. There is nothing wrong with the Dillon, but I think I can concentrate more on "perfect" accuracy in a single stage or turret, like the Redding T-7. I will be using one of these when I can get set up for it. In that case, if you don't mind, can you tell me what dies to use in each stage, including all the dies I've mentioned above, if you recommend this. I have found the .30-30 to be a bit tricky. I was going to use the Lyman M die in the third stage, but can't on a four stage Dillon.

Bottom line:
Please tell me stage-by-stage how to set up my presses for loading .30-30 AI.
I know this is asking a lot...just to read this "book" :rolleyes: , but I truly appreciate it.
Thank you

Don't know if Marshall will have time to check this so I will try to help, being a fellow Dillon owner.

OK.... first thing that you need to understand is you can't use a regular .30-30 sizing die for the Improved brass. So it's the collet sizing die for resizing (unless you can find a full-length sizing die for the .30-30 AI).

Now.... you CAN use the "M" die in the Dillon. But you'll have to do SOMETHING in a different step in the Rockchucker.

Either:

1. Collet size station #1 in the Dillon
2. Powder drop station #2 in the Dillon
3. Seat bullet station #3 in the Dillon
4. Lee FCD station #4 in the Dillon

If you want to use the "M" expander - you can.

Just do either the first step (collet sizing die) in the Rockchucker before you start, then use the "M" in station #1 in the Dillon, OR, put the "M" die in #3, move the seater to #4, then after you're done, use the FCD in the Rockchucker for crimp.

Think about it - it will make sense - not a bad idea to start doing these things one at a time in the RockChucker, but once you get the hang of it, use the progressive press.

except for what I've written in red below:

Don't know if Marshall will have time to check this so I will try to help, being a fellow Dillon owner.

OK.... first thing that you need to understand is you can't use a regular .30-30 sizing die for the Improved brass. So it's the collet sizing die for resizing (unless you can find a full-length sizing die for the .30-30 AI - In his tech article Marshal says you can't use the Lee Collet die on the .30-30AI. I have the Dillon, but from what Marshal says in the article, I should use the Hornady since I can't use the Lee.
Now.... you CAN use the "M" die in the Dillon. But you'll have to do SOMETHING in a different step in the Rockchucker.

Either:

1. Collet size station #1 in the Dillon
2. Powder drop station #2 in the Dillon
3. Seat bullet station #3 in the Dillon
4. Lee FCD station #4 in the Dillon

If you want to use the "M" expander - you can.

Just do either the first step (collet sizing die) in the Rockchucker before you start, (this is where I get lost. Marshal say the collet die can't be used with the .30-30AI) then use the "M" in station #1 in the Dillon, OR, put the "M" die in #3, move the seater to #4, then after you're done, use the FCD in the Rockchucker for crimp. Great idea, that's what I'll do. :D

Think about it - it will make sense - not a bad idea to start doing these things one at a time in the RockChucker, but once you get the hang of it, use the progressive press.
Thanks for your time. I can't believe I didn't think of using the FCD in the Rockchucker for the last stage. Great way to use the M die and the FCD. Now, if I can just get it clear which one to use in #1, since Marshal says I can't use the collet die with the AI, I'll be all set. Of course, then there's the question of just using a bushing die (which one) and neck size only...... and I thought I had it all figured out. :mad:

I forgot the .30-30 AI has the shoulder moved forward and can't use the Lee collet die, sorry.

I think that I have one of the Hornady .30 neck sizing dies that I'm not doing anything with. Will look at home tonight. PM me if you want to try it.

Mike's given good advice, and as already pointed out, the Lee Collet die won't work on the .30-30 AI because of the forward shoulder, without modification. It's been mentioned before on this forum that Lee Precision has a limited edition run of .30-30AI die-sets available for the price of their normal dies. A good investment just for the sizing die alone! Also, Mike has mentioned the next-best alternative for sizing, and that's the use of the Hornady, .30 caliber neck-only-sizing dies. They are relatively inexpensive and will work just fine, so long as you are only dealing with brass fired in your individual rifle.

Whether using jacketed or cast bullets, do use the Lyman "M" die, as it will allow straight seating of the bullet, and minimize the case loss due to shoulder collapse when seating bullets.

I'm sorry if the article was a bit confusing in regard to die selection. I hope this helps clear things up!

God Bless,

Marshall

Mike always does a great job! :)
You guys have been a wonderful help. Is the Hornady .30-30AI die set the one to get?
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/678166
Thank you both very much :)


Mike's given good advice, and as already pointed out, the Lee Collet die won't work on the .30-30 AI because of the forward shoulder, without modification. It's been mentioned before on this forum that Lee Precision has a limited edition run of .30-30AI die-sets available for the price of their normal dies. A good investment just for the sizing die alone! Also, Mike has mentioned the next-best alternative for sizing, and that's the use of the Hornady, .30 caliber neck-only-sizing dies. They are relatively inexpensive and will work just fine, so long as you are only dealing with brass fired in your individual rifle.

Whether using jacketed or cast bullets, do use the Lyman "M" die, as it will allow straight seating of the bullet, and minimize the case loss due to shoulder collapse when seating bullets.

I'm sorry if the article was a bit confusing in regard to die selection. I hope this helps clear things up!

God Bless,

Marshall

DZ,

That doesn't look like too bad of a deal for dies for an AI.

I was referring to the Hornady .30 cal neck-sizing die, which is not caliber specific.

If you can't find the Lee .30-30 AI die set that was mentioned, the Hornady die set from the link is probably about the next cheapest thing.

You still might want to look into a neck-sizing die, just because you don't always need to full-length size. A matter of convenience, and probably brass life also.

If you want to try the Hornady .30 cal neck sizing die just ask.

I found the Hornady at Midway. $17.60 http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/232489
I was just wondering whether I will eventually need the full sizing die as this brass get used. However, I already have the seater for the .30-30. I'm assuming I can use the normal seater for the AI, as no one said I needed a different seating die. I have the Dillon, but it crushes brass, which is why I replaced it with the Hornady. Am I understanding correctly that the Lee seater has the floating alignment also? That Hornady is awesome. I had a perfect cartridge the first time I used it and never had a problem again.
I could NOT find the Lee .30 neck-sizing die.



DZ,

That doesn't look like too bad of a deal for dies for an AI.

I was referring to the Hornady .30 cal neck-sizing die, which is not caliber specific.

If you can't find the Lee .30-30 AI die set that was mentioned, the Hornady die set from the link is probably about the next cheapest thing.

You still might want to look into a neck-sizing die, just because you don't always need to full-length size. A matter of convenience, and probably brass life also.

If you want to try the Hornady .30 cal neck sizing die just ask.