30-30 Rechamber

[Spanky]

I have been thinking about sending my 30-30 barrel to be rechambered to 30-40. Besides the 30-40, what other options do I have ??I want to stick with a rimmed cartridge and keep the .308 bore.
I am interested in old military cartridges (besides the 30-40)
I would appreciate any info.



Thanks
Spanky

[cowboyup453]

30-30 improved and 307 Winchester come to mind.

[Swampman]

30 Bower Alaskan, .308 Bellm , and .309 JDJ

The last one is the best IMO.  Shortened .30-06 dies can be used to load it from what I've read.

[Slufoot]

You can use a 30-06 or a 30-06 Ackley Improved reamer and short chamber it to 444 Marlin case length. Then all you will need to do is have your 30-06 or the AI sizing die shortened to the proper length, if you have access to a surface grinder or a lathe you could do this yourself if you have any experience operating the equipment.
Use a 444 Marlin case and the appropriate shell holder and run it into the shortened sizing die. If you experience much case loss by necking down in one step you could use a 358 Winchester or 338 Federal sizing die adjusted to only size the correct amount of neck and then go to 30 caliber. 
By going this route you get your rim, and the brass that isn't outrageous (if there is such a thing any more). You could use load data for the 309 JDJ, starting with the starting loads of coarse. You wouldn't have to buy expensive dies especially if you used the standard 30-06 dies, LEE may offer 30-06 AI dies, I'm not sure.
Just some food for thought!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[stimpylu32]

spanky

Here is the one that i'm leaning tword for my 30/30 .

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/information/GNR_cartridges.htm

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/tc/contender_images/3030and30gnr.gif

stimpy

[Swampman]

I would avoid anything without a rim.

[LaOtto222]

I would think you could do a 303 Brit if you full length size a case then neck size for a 308 bullet. It would be a hand load only proposition. Extra caution would have to be taken to ensure factory load ammo would not be used because it would cause a high pressure situation. The 303 takes a .311 or .312 bullet. A 303 Brit and 30-40 Krag are about the same power wise.

[dumgunny]

   I vote for the 30/30 AI! I have a Super 16" contender carbine barrel that has been rechambered to this and I really like it. The case capacity is significantly increased allowing you to squeeze a couple or three hundred extra FPS of muzzle velocity on average, and mine is very accurate with both the AI and 30/30 win cased ammo, which brings up another advantage. You can always shoot regular 30/30 ammo in the Ackley improved chamber in a pinch, which results in fireformed 30/30 AI brass free and with 30/30 being the cheapest and most plentiful rifle ammo on the planet, you get a lot more bang for the buck!
   Here is a pic of a  30/30AI(with the 165gr ballistic tip), and standard 30/30 Winchester (100gr plinker) and a 45/70 300gr HP for scale.........
JMH2¢


DG

[Slufoot]

dumgunny makes some very good points for the 30-30 Ackley Improved. I've got a Marlin 336A that was made in 1973 and it has a 24" barrel. I had David Clements re-chamber it to 30-30AI and it's a shooter. With 150 grain bullets I get 2600 FPS and with 170's I get 2400 FPS.
In the Handi you aren't limited to flat or round nose bullets, so a good spitzer will help with trajectory and retained energy.
Should you happen to forget or loose your ammo it would be nice to go to a country store and pick up a box of 30-30's and continue your hunting trip.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[grumpyErik]

Not to stir the pot but what about 7.62x54r? It is rimmed, powerful, and surplus ammo is cheap so target practice does'nt kill your pocket book.

[dumgunny]

......Unless I am mistaken, the 7.62X54 surplus ammo uses a .309 to .311 bullet diameter. It is doable, but would again be a strictly handloading proposition. From what I have read, the russian is in the 30/06 class with a lighter bullet (150gr) but since it has less case capacity, it looses a lot of its charm with heavier bullets (say 180gr to 220gr)
JMH2¢
BT

[Chilachuck]

I believe the surplus 7.62x54R ammo is also corrosive.

[grumpyErik]

Corrosive ammo is easy to clean, just use hot water like with BP then use your favorite sovent and oil. Been shooting milsurps for years never once had a rusty bore, but you must use water first! no regular sovent will get that nasty corrosive stuff out.


Sorry I had a brain fart, the Finnish used .309 barrels and the russkies used .310-.311 barrels, yup to big for .308 barrels for sure.

[SM Bob]

Dumgunny,
Thanks for answering the question I was just about to ask.
The question was: "Does anyone have a 30-30 converted
to 30-30 A.I., and if you do, how do you like it?" So far
in my online search of this question virtually everyone
who has a converted 30-30, be it lever action or
single shot, really likes them. I have a 336 Marlin that
I want to leave just the way it is, but I could sure see
getting a 30-30 barrel from H&R and converting it to
30-30 A.I.

                       Robert