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Testing a new .30 point die

AlNyhus

Silver $$ Contributor
Toward the end of the season, I received a new .30 point die from Larry Blackmon. The main difference I'd asked for in the new die was the shank diameter. The new die makes a .3083-.3085 bullet on the J4's with a 7 ogive (tangent) profile and a .0625 meplat.....a meat and 'taters, ham and egger bullet. The 'wide body' die I've been using makes a .3088/.3090 on the J4's with the same profile and meplat. I had done a quick 'scanning' test of bullets from the new die earlier and put it aside until I could devote more time to testing it.

With the weather closing in for the season, I headed out yesterday to test the new die. Conditions weren't ideal with winds 16-20 from the 4-5 o'clock and temps in the upper 50's. But at this point in the calender, you might not get many more opportunities on the Northern Plains. The gun used was my Panda 30BR with a Kreiger twisted 1:17. I've been shooting one of Mike Ezell's tuners for most of the season but for this test, I removed it and just did the load work per normal with a 30BR.

As suspected, there were no surprises with Larry's die. The gun tuned up predictably and responded appropriately to powder charge and seating depth changes. The two bullets definitely like different seating depths. After 30 rounds doing that, I loaded 11 cases with the most promising charge weight/neck tension/seating depth for some verification groups...two 3 shot groups and a 5 shot group. The group on the left was the 5 shot group. All groups show just a tick of high left bullet deflection consistent with that wind direction and speed at our range.

Thank you Larry Blackmon for another great die. Bullet from both dies perform on-target exactly as expected. :)

Good shootin' -Al
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Mr. Al, thank you so much on all of the information that you put forward. I am wanting to get me a 30BR up in running now. Looking at groups like that makes me want to get things going last week. Really trying to absorb as much as possible.

Thanks you Sir,

Tommy Roupe
 
Nice shooting, this is the kind of stuff I need to stay away from. I'm easily influenced, and the more I see posted from those experienced with the 30BR the closer I come to building one.

You make it sound so easy and predictable Al that I think about how long I waited to try a 222. Now I question more and more why I haven't built a 30 BR?

Fine shooting sir, excellent for those conditions, and thanks for some more influence, it's pushing me in that direction. Mainly because as you state, predictable results, responding appropriately, always worth pursuing.
 
wildcatter said:
Nice shooting, this is the kind of stuff I need to stay away from. I'm easily influenced, and the more I see posted from those experienced with the 30BR the closer I come to building one.

You make it sound so easy and predictable Al that I think about how long I waited to try a 222. Now I question more and more why I haven't built a 30 BR?
Click to expand...
Oh, believe me....there's plenty of ways that people get these 30BR's screwed up! Not doing the home work, poor reamer selection, poor 'smith selection, the inability to make and manage cases and horrible bedding top the list.

There's a lot of info on the 'ol InterWeb....good and bad. Sticking to a well drawn map and having an experienced 30BR builder/competitor in your corner for guidance is the Top Two things you need to have going for you. People like Randy Robinett, Jackie Schmidt, Joe Duke, Henry Rivers, Joe Entrieken, etc, etc. are just a few of the many good people that will help you out and provide you with info you can take to the bank.

Like anything, starting from the start will pay dividends. :) -Al
 
AlNyhus said:
Oh, believe me....there's plenty of ways that people get these 30BR's screwed up! Not doing the home work, poor reamer selection, poor 'smith selection, the inability to make and manage cases and horrible bedding top the list.

There's a lot of info on the 'ol InterWeb....good and bad. Sticking to a well drawn map and having an experienced 30BR builder/competitor in your corner for guidance is the Top Two things you need to have going for you. People like Randy Robinett, Jackie Schmidt, Joe Duke, Henry Rivers, Joe Entrieken, etc, etc. are just a few of the many good people that will help you out and provide you with info you can take to the bank.

Like anything, starting from the start will pay dividends. :) -Al
Click to expand...
I've been talking with Randy already, my smith is using his prefered reamer, your just adding to them nudges in the back,,,,

If I jump, whats your thoughts to start my prep by fireforming with cream of wheat and bullseye powder before prepping the brass.
 
AlNyhus said:
Oh, believe me....there's plenty of ways that people get these 30BR's screwed up! Not doing the home work, poor reamer selection, poor 'smith selection, the inability to make and manage cases and horrible bedding top the list.

There's a lot of info on the 'ol InterWeb....good and bad. Sticking to a well drawn map and having an experienced 30BR builder/competitor in your corner for guidance is the Top Two things you need to have going for you. People like Randy Robinett, Jackie Schmidt, Joe Duke, Henry Rivers, Joe Entrieken, etc, etc. are just a few of the many good people that will help you out and provide you with info you can take to the bank.

Like anything, starting from the start will pay dividends. :) -Al
Click to expand...
Al, I am humbled at being mentioned in such esteemed company.
I must admit the 30BR sure is fun to work with and shoot.
Joe
 
AlNyhus said:
Oh, believe me....there's plenty of ways that people get these 30BR's screwed up! Not doing the home work, poor reamer selection, poor 'smith selection, the inability to make and manage cases and horrible bedding top the list.

There's a lot of info on the 'ol InterWeb....good and bad. Sticking to a well drawn map and having an experienced 30BR builder/competitor in your corner for guidance is the Top Two things you need to have going for you. People like Randy Robinett, Jackie Schmidt, Joe Duke, Henry Rivers, Joe Entrieken, etc, etc. are just a few of the many good people that will help you out and provide you with info you can take to the bank.

Like anything, starting from the start will pay dividends. :) -Al
Click to expand...
Smokin Joe Entrieken is top notch along with Al and have a wealth of knowledge.
 
Thank s Al....Yea now that you mentiond Wes.....thats where I first herd about it.
Thanks again..I cant remember crap anymore...lol....need to write everything down and then forget where I
wrote it.. Bit..#$ gettin old.
 
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