~ What''s with the "WEIRD" 30-.30 shown here? . . .

[6hold]

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Here’s a quick question being tossed out for you knowledgeable folks. I though I had the answer but come to find out I surely didn’t. When sorting through some ammo a year or more back, I came across a weird looking 30-.30 with straight sides. I double checked the head to make sure it truly was a 30-.30 and it read that it was. The rings seen around the left round I believe are from my using steel wool to get some crud off it before using a little polish.

I figured someone really screwed up when they were reloading. Then I remembered that when a friend and I bought our Super 14, Thomson Contenders we had decided on the 30-.30 instead of reforming cases to shoot the 30 Herrett. So I thought that it was a 30 Herrett round that I garnered somewhere but no it surely wasn’t, once I had Googled images of it.

30 HERRETT​

I made a quick search last night to find the round in question so I could take some measurements but didn’t come across it. If the definitive answer about this round doesn’t arrive I’ll give it a go again and find and measure that little rascal round. Thanks for any thoughts on this.

 

[cockpitbob]

Interesting. Judging by the straight walls aflat nosed bullet in it my first guess is it's intended for a late 1800s lever action. I assume the bullet is 0.308" diameter.

 

[EddieCoyle]

What is the bullet diameter? If it's .375, then it's a .38-55 formed from a .30-30 case.

 

[Slowdive]

Looks like a 32-40 Ballard formed from a 30-30 case.

 

[gerrycaruso]

For a few years, .38/55 brass was hard to obtain and some people would use .30/30 brass which was a little short but would work. If the bullet is .375 then as EC said, it's probably a 38/55. If the bullet is 32 caliber it could be a .32/40 though it doesn't appear to have enough taper.

 

[MisterHappy]

My dad used to make 8x57 RJ out of .30-4 Krag brass, either out of being a cheap yankee, or unable to get the real stuff.

Fireforming is effective, but it does leave head-scratchers like this behind!

 

[6hold]

What is the bullet diameter? If it's .375, then it's a .38-55 formed from a .30-30 case.

Ed ~ I didn’t want to remove the bullet at this time but did note that the outside diameter of the mouth of the casing is smaller than the .375 that you stated. The bullet is probably size .32 or .30 perhaps. I’m posting my measurements of the casing later for comparisons. Thanks for your input.

 

[6hold]

For a few years, .38/55 brass was hard to obtain and some people would use .30/30 brass which was a little short but would work. If the bullet is .375 then as EC said, it's probably a 38/55. If the bullet is 32 caliber it could be a .32/40 though it doesn't appear to have enough taper.

gerrycaruso ~ It does have a smaller bullet I believe. Check out the diagram that follows, thanks.

 

[6hold]

Interesting. Judging by the straight walls aflat nosed bullet in it my first guess is it's intended for a late 1800s lever action. I assume the bullet is 0.308" diameter.

Thanks for the input cockpitbob, I'll get the bullet out perhaps sometime in the future if needed.

 

[6hold]

~ Close measurements . . .

Looks like a 32-40 Ballard formed from a 30-30 case.

​

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Slowdive ~ Thanks for your input. The measurements I made are pretty close to those that you posted with the sketch. So, barring any better evidence, the round in question most probably is the .32-40 (Ballard & Marlin, Winchester) formed from a 30-30 casing, right?

 

[cockpitbob]

I think you got it.
The .4155 at the base being 8.5mils smaller than the drawing would concern me a little, but everything else looks close enough to the 32-40 that I would shoot it.

 

[Slowdive]

Yep...that's it. If you want a 32-40 lever rifle, I just saw one last week at B&K sales in Natick

 

[EddieCoyle]

Yep...that's it. If you want a 32-40 lever rifle, I just saw one last week at B&K sales in Natick

Really? I've seen .32-20 lever guns but not a .32-40. If you buy it, can I shoot it?

 

[Bendad97]

My guess was .38-55 as well.

 

[Slowdive]

Really? I've seen .32-20 lever guns but not a .32-40. If you buy it, can I shoot it?

I will be back @ B&K tomorrow for the Natick NES social, Ill get confirmation but I'm pretty sure. It was 19th century vintage IIRC. If I do get it you'd be more than welcome to shoot it...however unless I start casting .32 cal, I don't know how I'd feed it. Good to know you can make brass out of 30-30.

 

[gerrycaruso]

I was thinking about that rifle so I checked and Midway has Winchester brass in .32/40. I'm sure you know they won't ship it to Ma.

 

[6hold]

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Ah, we missed out on a Winchester Model 1894 .32-40 that Guns America had for sale, and for the meager price of. $1,995. Of course the lever action rifle was in great condition. The info and other photos are here:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/93431913...ster_Model_1894_32_40_Lever_Action_Rifle.htm#​

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[Slowdive]

I can confirm that B&K sales does indeed have a vintage 19 century Winchester lever gun chambered in 32-40...based on the tag it looks like hes asking $1095.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Damn.

 

[Slowdive]

Sorry...I was wrong about the price. He's asking $1495 for it. He has his inventory online:

http://www.bandksalesllc.com/longguns.html

It's the last one listed on the .pdf

 

[EddieCoyle]

Well, that made it even easier.