ackley improved

[greyling]

Anybody ever ackley improved a handi? specifically a 30-30? And if so, how did that turn out for you?

[quickdtoo]

Several here have improved the .30-30 by hand reaming, I've got a .280 Improved Handi, you'll have the best results by taking some extra steps in fire forming, but it can be done. There are a  couple links on fire forming in the FAQs and Help sticky.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,26264.msg504312.html#msg504312

[greyling]

yeah, I read the ackley post in the FAQ, and done some other research online, and I keep hearing about backing out the barrel some (not on a handi obviously) and checking headspacing etc, but didn't know if I needed to bother about that with a rimmed cartrige and a handi. This would be my first attempt at actual gunsmithing and didn't know if it is as simple as renting the ream from 4-d products or somwehere and hand reaming it or if it was more complex.

[aulrich]

I have just converted a 22 hornet to k-hornet, but I had a smith do it though he just cut the new chamber by hand. He showed me one fireformed case from a low pressure cast load he had laying around, it looks OK but we will see after I get dies and do some fireforming, and get some proper loads built. When I got the reamer from 4D I also got the guages as well but the guages were for all hornets so as longas you don't go too deep head spacing is already set.

What freaked me about the job was

1. starting the cutting cleanly
2. keeping the chamber round