Contender-maximum chamber pressure?

[chiefen]

Having just discoverd this nice little guns and having bought 2 contenders and some barells; what is the maximum allowable/safe chamber pressure for the old style Contender?
Will it be safe to chamber on for the 307winchester?

My first post, please do not hurt me..

[sbhg]

That caliber might be a little bit much for the contender.
As the cartridge diameter goes up, the chamber pressure has to go down.
You could call SSK Industries (J.D. Jones) they could tell you for sure.

[securitysix]

Having just discoverd this nice little guns and having bought 2 contenders and some barells; what is the maximum allowable/safe chamber pressure for the old style Contender?
Will it be safe to chamber on for the 307winchester?

My first post, please do not hurt me..

.307 Winchester is definitely too much for the Contender.  It's not about pressure as much as it is backthrust, near as I can tell.  If you want .308 type performance out of the Contender, look at the .309 JDJ from SSK Industries. 

[chiefen]

Ok, guess I will try and see what I can do with my Super16" 30-30 barrel. To legaly hunt big game here in Norway I need to reach at least 2440 fps at 100 meters using a 150grains bullet (I do not think this is possible with a 30-30?) or 2100 fps using a 165grains bullet (has been done but from a longer barrel).

Plan B is to cut down a barrel and use it as a "stub", thread and fit a 22-24" barrel, and ream a 30-30AI chamber.  Guess I could use a 307Win reamer also, since factory ammo for this is not available overe here.

[Dezynco]

I almost suggested having MGM build you a 30-40 Krag, but I see that you are shooting an old style Contender.  If you were a handloader, it is possible to get the velocity that you are looking for out of the old 30-30 and remain within the safe zone for the old Contender.  I'm not sure if you can achieve your goal with a 16" barrel (does anyone else know?), but I'm sure you could with a 21" or 23" barrel.

You might consider the handloading option unless there is some sort of "rule book" that eliminates the 30-30 as a hunting cartridge in Norway.  In my opinion, the 30-30, as good as it is, hasn't even begun to shine until you use it in a Contender with handloads!  If you can use the 30-30, then I would suggest purchasing a Lee Classic Loader kit for $18.00 and go to it!

BTW. I think the maximum safe chamber for a Contender is in the 40,000 c.u.p. area for an old Contender, and around 45,000 or so for the G2.

[chiefen]

Allready reloading.

I do have a 10" Contender barrell, guess this one will be the donor for making a rifle barrell, importing one to Norway is no problem-exporting one from the US-well; lots of paperwork and $$ involved.


Any advantages in opting for the 3030AI?

[sbhg]

Allready reloading.

I do have a 10" Contender barrell, guess this one will be the donor for making a rifle barrell, importing one to Norway is no problem-exporting one from the US-well; lots of paperwork and $$ involved.


Any advantages in opting for the 3030AI?

Less case stretching, Higher FPS, Looks sexier , Rimmed cases are the way to go w/ a Contender IMO.
Can you use the 125 gr. Nosler BallisticTip bullet? I have used the 140's in a Super 14/7-30Waters and they are great on Whitetails out close to 200 yds., so far for me.   GoodLuck.
BTW how about a tapered 26" barrel? It still woul;d be relatively short, compared to a bolt action rifle, and the tapered barrel wouldn't add too much weight out at the muzzle.

[chiefen]

Minimum bullet weigth for big game is 139grains, but bullets less then 156grains requires higher speed/energy (around 2450fps at 100meters,I do not think is possible with a 30-30?). I do have load-data with a 165grs Hornady SPBT giving sufficient energy/speed from a 24" barrell.

Length is not finaly decided and it is easier to cut than to add..

How much speed can I expect to gain from a 30-30Ai vs. the 30-30win? 5%-10%?

Really appricate your inputs!