30 cal. trim pilot won't fit in sized 30 carbine

idahoducker

Started trimming 30 carbine on RCBS equipment and the trim pilot is a very tight fit in the sized case mouth. Tight enough that it's a pain to use.
Case mouth ID is at .301 pilot OD is .3045. Is the case mouth supposed to be that tight? Is the expander ball in the sizing die supposed to do anything for 30 carbine? It's nowhere near 30 caliber.

bpost

I have never seen the need to trim a pistol case in 38 years of reloading all types of ammo. The 30 carbine is essentially a pistol case, why are you trimming?

idahoducker

First time loading for the carbine so as I ususally do I did a bunch of reading regarding the round and saw a few times that it is important to trim if you're using them in a carbine. Specifically that they can easily although unpredictably stretch beyond spec stopping the bolt from closing all the way. If that is just internet myth I'd sure like to know.

shoff14

Put the pilot in a drill and take some light 400/600 grit sand paper to it.

idahoducker

I thought of that but is .301 too small for the case mouth and is the expander button supposed to open up the mouth a bit after sizing or is that not necessary for 30 carbine?

264fan

Just measured the expander on my set, it mikes at .3064. Are you sure you are running the stem down into the die far enough? The stem should be set down to the point where you just feel a slight flare of the case mouth.

dcs shooters

I used a universal decapper and trimmed aout 200 pieces of carbine brass before sizing. I found the same thing with my Lyman trimmer.
I trim mine to keep headspace the same, as they seat on the case mouth.

264fan

If memory serves me correctly all of my pilots {Forster] are to be used before sizing.

idahoducker

quote:Originally posted by 264fan
Just measured the expander on my set, it mikes at .3064. Are you sure you are running the stem down into the die far enough? The stem should be set down to the point where you just feel a slight flare of the case mouth.

Just to be clear, it appears to me that you are talking about the expander die. The one you use to flare the mouth prior to bullet seating.

I'm talking about the expander button on the decapper stem.

Before I modify the trim pilot I want to make sure whether or not it's my sizing die that is creating the problem. Is it sizing them too tight at .301 I.D. or is my expander button the wrong one since it's way smaller than 30 caliber.

I always trim after sizing because sizing can stretch a case. Especially a tapered case like the 30 carbine.

264fan

quote:Originally posted by idahoducker
quote:Originally posted by 264fan
Just measured the expander on my set, it mikes at .3064. Are you sure you are running the stem down into the die far enough? The stem should be set down to the point where you just feel a slight flare of the case mouth.

Just to be clear, it appears to me that you are talking about the expander die. The one you use to flare the mouth prior to bullet seating.

I'm talking about the expander button on the decapper stem.

Before I modify the trim pilot I want to make sure whether or not it's my sizing die that is creating the problem. Is it sizing them too tight at .301 I.D. or is my expander button the wrong one since it's way smaller than 30 caliber.

I always trim after sizing because sizing can stretch a case. Especially a tapered case like the 30 carbine.

On my die set the sizing die sizes only, the expander die does the decapping, expanding, and flaring just as in pistol cases. You can't expand in the sizing die on straight wall cases.

idahoducker

Well there ya go. Just checked the instructions with my dies and that's exactly what it says. Thanks for the help ya'll.

Note to self: when all else fails read the instructions.[:I]