30/30 redone into 309 JDJ?

[huntinhick]

Hello all,

I have been checking into the 375JDJ VS the 309 JDJ for elk size game for awhile.  I talked to SSK and they mentioned it is better to get a barrel built from scrach than have one converted over.  I was checking the average rifling on 30/30, 308 and 30.06 and it seems they all stay around 1:10.  so the question if I get a rebore will I notice the diffrence in the accuracy.  I might go with the 375 just for the factory barrel but I like that the 309 is right there with the 308-30.06 performance and uses standard 30 cal bullets.  plus I must admit I feel the 30/06 - 7mm mag recoil is about all i like to take.

carl

[FW Conch]

  One vote for  "get the NEW barrel you want" !      Good Luck   Jim

[Ladobe]

Depends on the barrel being rechambered, but generally a custom barrel is preferred over a rechambered factory barrel for several obvious reasons.   But unless the ranges are very long, I double you'd see enough difference in overall accuracy between a rechamber and a custom on elk sized game worry about.

For elk the 375 would be preferred over the 309 unless ranges will be fairly short (here in the west ranges can be very long).   Just does a better job of anchoring the bigger bodied game, especially at longer ranges.   The 338 #2 and 358 JDJ's are also great choices for elk, and along with the 375 will drop them at surprising ranges.   In a carbine I doubt you'd feel the difference between any of them as far as recoil (IOW, less or no more than the 7MAG).   I've owned or shot all of them and there's really not that much difference in recoil between them even in a pistol configuration.

[huntinhick]

that's what I was wanting to know,  I can put the limbsaver recoil pad on and go for a factory 375 JDJ and be set for washington elk or bear.  I have a factory 204 and 30/30 barrels and they are great shooters so I don't mind a non recambered factory barrel.  what would you say the effective range would be out of a rifle barrel 200-250 max?

thanks carl

[Ladobe]

Effective range is directly proportionate to the barrel itself, the load, bullet, the situation and the ability of the person yanking the trigger.

I'll put it this way, the 375JDJ will easily cleanly kill an elk with a well placed shot a bunch and then some farther than your guessed 200-250 yards.   That is from personal and close hunting friends real life experiences BTW.

[huntinhick]

once again Ladobe, you have given me what I was looking for.  My self imposed range is around 300 yards with all my guns (that have the range).  so it sounds like the 375 is my next barrel.  is the only source for dies ssk?

[Ladobe]

Dies are still available from SSK for $68 I believe (he hasn't raised the price on them for years).   I think JD has always made his from either RCBS or Pacific (Hornady).

With the release of the 375JDJ factory barrels from TC, Redding has jumped on the wagon and is also offering dies now as 375X444.   They will work fine for both SSK and TC 375JDJ chambers and run about the same price as from SSK.

They could also be done with shaved RCBS 375 Express dies, but at about $150 a set special order not really a viable choice unless you already have the dies.

While a single shot is not a prudent choice for serious dangerous game, if you have done the work to be confident with it your 375JDJ will be good to go on anything that walks the earth Carl.   Have fun.