Steps to Form 30 Apache

fiver

Well-Known Member
I know Bruce Drake has one of these.
if he doesn't see this I'd send him a PM.
but the 30 is basically just the 223 necked up then a final full length size and trim.
 

Tom

Well-Known Member
While playing with 223 cases the other day, I learned it doesn't like to go from 22 to 30 in one step. I'd think 6.5 would be a good intermediate step. I tried necking up some old 6.5 tcu cases and they came out a bit crooked, but didn't split.
That's all I have to offer.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
when I take 5.7 cases up to 30 cal I have used intermediate steps of 24 25 28 then 30 but have also just used a rounded over spud with a parallel side at the 301 point.
you can imagine how short the spud is, and if I get in a hurry I can pull the neck right off the case with it.
 

Gary

SE Kansas
Pretty sure Bruce won't mind me copying his info and posting here, at least I don't think he would. Here goes:


Gary,

30 Apache is brass that is necked up from 223Rem in at least 2 steps. I currently use a 257 Roberts and then a 7x57 Mauser Sizing die to expand the neck before I do a final size with the 30 Apache sizing die. I find I get less case splits if I do it in steps like this versus going from .22 to .30 caliber in one step. There are a couple of variations of this cartridge. The original 30 TCU pushed the shoulder down and trimmed the case to 41mm but the 30 Apache retains the original 43mm case length and shoulder angle of the parent 223Rem case.

I own a PTG Reamer http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/ in 30 Apache and I used a 300BLK barrel as my initial test barrel. It had a pistol length gas system and I found that I had to place an adjustable gas block on it for proper functioning. My second 30 Apache AR, I rechambered a 16" 300BLK barrel with a carbine length gas system and it really smoothed out my functioning. 30 Apache dies are made by CH4D dies in Ohio and their webpage is http://www.ch4d.com/products/dies/caliber-list

Bruce
 

popper

Well-Known Member
Interesting. I shoot a 142gr PB @2100 fps, just haven't gone any higher (18" 1:10 barrel, carbine gas). Works fine in the 10" 1:8 pistol too. Performance is just a tad below 150gr. in 30/30 min load. I did look at 40WT but the neck is short. I formed some with BO sizer and made a longer neck for cast. Would also get rid of the really long throat that I don't need. Anneal the neck and expand in steps. Don't have QL so I can't evaluate the performance with slower (223 type) powders. Testing some 170PB & 185 GC RDish in the pistol. Actually hit a pig but it ran off so no conclusion. Back end of a pig in the bush isn't easy when they are moving. Just got back from a jaunt to LLano & San Saba (really cool little town) but hope to get to the range tomorrow for more testing.
 

Bruce Drake

Active Member
I prefer to use 110 and 125gr bullets with my 30-223Rem (30 Apache) wildcat ARs as those bullet weights allow them to be loaded to fit AR15 magazines without dropping the base of the bullets out of the neck.

The act of expanding the 5.56x45 cases upto to 30 caliber shortens the cases usually 1 or 2mm if anyone noted the length I gave to Gary in a Private message.

I'm currently working on a 30 Herrett chambered AR15 using cut down and reformed 22 Nosler brass so I've sold my finish reamer and CH dies to Gary for him to continue the work on his NEF Handi-barrel project and he should have the items by the end of next week.

Bruce