Reeder Custom Guns - 300/321 GNR questions

It's been mentioned that the 300 is a bit of a headache in a revolver. How bad is it? Just a matter of finding the right load? I know the 321 is close in performance, but how much is it lacking in comparison? I really like the idea using 125 and 130 great bullets meant for the 30-30. Is the 321 good for getting the best out of those bullets. I'm thinking a 6 inch revolver for either.

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the tinkerer. Brass needs to be trimmed and formed vs running through a die and done. The issue is rim thickness consistency across brass manfs. Federal is the most consistent then R-P. I think the 125 JHP 30-30 bullets should run okay. I have several Speer 110gr SJHPs and Speer 110 gr SPs (spire points) that are good. I haven’t tried cast bullets yet.

I’m making 50 pieces of 300 over the weekend, Feds.

While in the trimming forming mindset, I trimmed some 500L to 500 GNR yesterday.

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With either there is a line (as with any ctg.) where you cannot cross. You just learn where any stickiness is, and stay a grain away with that powder/bullet combo. Gary came out with the .321 for those who might not enjoy the wonderful art of crafting your own custom cartridge. Any swinging Richard can run a case through a sizer, we all do that anyway, right?!

You might be disappointed that the .30-30 rifle bullets have anvil tough jackets. The only exception is the Speer 110 Varminter which is a fantastic application. The 125 Serria will likely only mash it's nose slightly and the rest act like a deep penetrating solid. I had good work with the Hornady varied 86-100 gr. jacketed bullets. Both .308-.312" sizes. These have lighter jackets and expand at the available velocities.

To me the best is the old .32-20 cast bullets, just perfect. Myself I like the sturdy .30-30 case and enjoy making the brass. It's almost as much fun as shooting them. The only issue I've had was sticky cases when I pushed pressures too hard. A powder change, dropping the charge, a lighter bullet remedies things. That same holds for both. I'm almost certain the home made .30-30 cases will last more intense loadings, but that's not really a motivator. Hard to get a wrong choice going. I had a single shot barrel in .300 GNR and you CANNOT mix them, you'll pount out all the cases after firing. But that's not the end of the world. The gun stood it well.

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.. 125 would be great on whitetail. Glad I asked. I'm kind of enamored with the idea of a high powered 30 or 32 cal revolver that'd be good for deer and small game. And I like the 30-30 case. I have just gobs of brass. The 356 might be a better choice but I still like the lightweight options the 300 and the 321 offer.

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The ammo was running around 1800 fps from my 7-1/2". I think I was using W296 powder. I could not load full listed loads in the manual in MY revolver but they were fine in the single shot. It shoots flat as a banjo string. Actually the cast bullets were a poor choice for sheep. The bullets shot straight through bone and all like hot butter. I saw the bullets hit the dirt way beyond the animal so hard I was certain I missed, but I didn't. They were laughing in the shed calling me "sheep hater" as they both had 10-12 holes in them, the in and out!

A better choice would have been the Hornady 100 gr. or 90 gr. XTP (I usually push .311 jacketed bullets through a .309 Lee sizer - works perfectly). These run around 2000 fps easy and offer some expansion. I was originally after hogs so I was using a 150 gr. .30-30 cast bullet that I modified the mould, shorting it from the bottom and using a lube groove for a check shank, lightening to 125 gr. with a more nose heavy profile. Loads usually end up somewhere around 20 grs. with most slow pistol powders. Faster powders like Unique actually give great performance in the 1500+ fps range.

Let me say I'd certainly opt for the full custom package giving you a custom .308 barrel with special throating, crown and faster twist than the factory Ruger .30 Carbine. Either cartridge the .300 GNR or .321 GNR would do fine, with a little edge to the .300, but a critter would never know, and neither would you unless you shot over a chrono.

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any problems with the 300 GNR. The only "problem" is it takes a bit more effort making the brass from 30-30. But as far as shooting, accuracy reliability, etc it is one of our most popular cartridges. It is a bit more power than the 321 GNR but the 321 is easier to make with a simple run thru the sizer die. So flip a coin.

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Cutting brass down isn't a problem. I've done that lots of times making mauser brass from '06 brass. Just lop off what pops out the top of the sizing die, size up to spec, and keep trucking. I was remembering wrong or mentally jumbling up things I'd read. I think the 300 is likely my choice of the two.

Who the hell knows where my mind will be when be it's time to place an order.

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Of work but it shoots just fine. If like reloading, I mean more than just resizing etc. the 300 is the ticket. I’ve really enjoyed mine.

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300/321 GNR questions

Get a gun with both cylinders...

I’m unfamiliar with 300 issues. I thought it was for

The .300 is fine, just more fun to make.

My current 300 toppings

I was thinking that..

I shot two sheep with it, the .300 GNR 125 gr. FNGC

not sure what you are talking about. There has never been

Now I know what's up.

I have a 300. Not a problem at all, brass is a bit