Help - 30 Nosler build

[GetReel]

I have searched a bunch on here and other sites and just cant seem to figure out what is right or correct way to go about this….

I am putting together a 30 Nosler and was going to load 3 dummy rounds to send with to the gunsmith.
I planned on using the Berger 215gr and seating the bullet bearing surface/boat tail junction at the case neck/shoulder junction. One thing I was seeing was to have .200-.225" freebore and reading about donuts….

my traditional reloading practice is with a FL (non-bushing) die and an expanding mandrel to achieve the neck tension.
I've never really thought about some of this with other rifles I reload for.

Some quick guidance would be great as I'm dropping parts off at gunsmith on Tuesday next week.

PS, I am a low volume shooter so maybe some of this wont end up mattering much to me….?

 

[Rick Richard]

I have searched a bunch on here and other sites and just cant seem to figure out what is right or correct way to go about this….

I am putting together a 30 Nosler and was going to load 3 dummy rounds to send with to the gunsmith.
I planned on using the Berger 215gr and seating the bullet bearing surface/boat tail junction at the case neck/shoulder junction. One thing I was seeing was to have .200-.225" freebore and reading about donuts….

my traditional reloading practice is with a FL (non-bushing) die and an expanding mandrel to achieve the neck tension.
I've never really thought about some of this with other rifles I reload for.

Some quick guidance would be great as I'm dropping parts off at gunsmith on Tuesday next week.

Contact Longtine88. He is very knowledgeable with that cartridge and load.

 

[Longtine88]

Are you only going to shoot 215's? I chamber all of mine now with a .230" FB. I can shoot 215's and all the way up to 245's. This allows the 215 to hit the 3100 node and the 245 to hit the 2950.

 

[GetReel]

Are you only going to shoot 215's? I chamber all of mine now with a .230" FB. I can shoot 215's and all the way up to 245's. This allows the 215 to hit the 3100 node and the 245 to hit the 2950.

Sorry but I sent you a PM also….

I am currently planning on running 215's but not opposed to going right to 245's as they seem to be available in a few places.

My brother and I bought matching barrels (26" Proof 1-9) and we were hoping to get the same chamber cut with the same reamer so we have a chance at being able to run the same loads.

I really didn't know what would be achievable with each bullet so I worked some mock up numbers with the 215 and the 245. I ran a test with the 215 @ 3k fps and the 245 at 2900 fps and I didn't see a difference that would make me say definitively which way I wanted to go. My brother would vote right to the 245 as he doesn't have any bullets yet. I currently have 1200 of the 215's so that's why I'm leaning on just staying with those as of now. If I didn't have those, ya, I'd prob say screw it and go right to 245's.

 

[Huntnful]

@Barehandlineman11 has lots of 30 Nosler experience. Maybe he'll chime in.

 

[Barehandlineman11]

.230 is perfect for 215

 

[SouthLoganCountyShooter]

What action are you using.

 

[GetReel]

What action are you using.

Defiance Renegade

 

[SouthLoganCountyShooter]

Defiance Renegade

Idk if your going to run bdl or dbm. I used a 700 bdl. I had to open up the bottom of the action and use a wyatts center feed box.

 

[JTH]

Interesting thread. I just finished up ordering a 30 Nosler. Trying to learn as much as I can on the freebore issue and what others are doing for bottom metal when extending the COL. I'm more of a high volume shooter and enjoy working up loads with different bullets to find great loads as I learn a new (to me) cartridge. As a result I will likely have the first barrel burned out within a year. Building mine on a Terminus Zeus QC to make it easier to change out barrels. I used a Zeus on a 300 PRC build and the QC function works great.

The gunsmith I'm using has a Saami reamer and would only advise adding up to 0.040 freebore with a chamber throater. I'm guessing longer than that using a second tool and process could have potential issues with concentricity, also heard others had issues with their smith going too far with the throater when adding freebore. The smith I'm using also had concerns about the resulting longer COL limiting bottom metal options, due to the potential reliability of feeding with cartridges like the 30 Nosler, and suggested sticking with detachable mag bottom metal in a hunting rifle as it will feed more reliably.

Curious how your smith is going to cut the chamber, do they have a large selection of reamers or using a throater?

I ended up buying a JGS reamer with 0.200 freebore from one of the folks here that only had 2 barrels cut with it. Planning to run the 215's or 230 OTM's but will also be trying the 187 and 194 Apex Afterburners which are quite a bit longer. Will have the stock cut for M5 bottom metal and will start out with Hawkins Hunter DBM, which limits COL to 3.770. That should fit the 215's, 230's and 187 Afterburners just fine. To run the 194 afterburners I'd likely have to go to an M5 BDL and Wyatt's box, which still might not be long enough.

Interesting that Unknown Munitions makes an M5 DBM bottom metal that can go up to 4.00", but at this time there's only a handful of 4" bottom port actions that it works with. Apparently if you get a "Seekins cut" on a Defiance action it will work, that might be something to look into for your Defiance action.

There are so many great options to choose from out there, I'm always interested to learn what others are using to improve performance.

 

[7mm man]

I know this is a little off with this thread but I have a 30 Nosler CarbonSix barrel coming soon with 9 twist. Standard freebore. Looking to run around the 200's with monometal or Accubonds, maybe even 190 terminal accents if I can find them. Putting on a 721 action with a custom PTG bolt. But I opened the action up for the long Hawkins Hunter mag. And it will sit in an AG Composites stock. Looking to make it a thumper of all big game in the lower 48.

 

[JuddL]

I run Wyatt's ext box and Hawkins oben bdl bottom metal.

All I've shot are 215's…my chamber is .225 freebore. I can reach the lands and the bullet sits up above the neck/shoulder junction.

Really pleased with it and how it's setup.

 

[Mcranch]

On my 30 nosler my chamber is .200 with a Hawkins Oberndorf, Wyatt box. The only issue I have had with the bottom metal is the follower spring slides after sone use at the gate. This causes a lack of lift where the follower pushes the base of the cartridge this allows the bolt to override the cartridge and not chamber. The fix that was mentioned is to tap the area where the spring slides under to pin it using a sharp pointed punch or super glue it. Before each loading of cartridges I just make sure the spring is all the way back in case I need a follow up shot. This also using the m5 Hawkins inlet.

 

[7mm man]

What's everyone's preferred powder for the 30 Nosler? I have 50 150gr interlocks I put together with Magpro for barrel break in. After that I was going to play with H1000, STAB HD, Ramshot LRT, US869, and maybe Retumbo. I was curious about Hybrid 100 too. I have a pound but yet to use it on anything. I have alittle bit of Ramshot Magnum but have found Magpro always out shoots it for some reason so I quit buying it.