Author Topic: Whats the ultimate length, both short and long for a 30-30 barrel? (Read 862 times)

fredster22 · « **on:** March 30, 2010, 02:58:47 PM »

I had my extra 30-30 barrel about to go under the cutter last week and decided to wait a while. What do you think is a good
compromise length for handling , efficiency , performance. Been wanting to make a short carbine type for thick eastern woods
for a while. The opportunity has arrived in the purchase of a reasonable 45lc BC carbine and don't need another 45 so want to
make it into a 30-30 BC. Any Thoughts? Fred

TxGun · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2010, 04:14:03 PM »

For me, it's 20". That's the traditional bbl. length of a 30-30 lever carbine. On a Handi, the OAL is then shorter by several inches than the already "handy" lever guns. But I can envision certain terrain where I might want to go shorter, or even longer.

OSOK · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2010, 04:25:01 PM »

16" would make for a very handy "Handi"...but you better be wearing some hearing protection and not have your teeth loosely touching! I learned this the hard way a few years ago. I have an 18" barrel 8x57 Mauser...nice gun, but it has a bit of a bark. I didn't realize how much until I was shooting it with my son and some of his friends. The "bench" was a 4-wheeler parked about five feet from the house. After the 4th or 5th shot I heard something fall inside the house. Seems the muzzle blast knocked some pictures off the wall and cracked a window pane. Still haven't done enought honey-do's to fix that one yet!
I have one of the new Talo Trapper .357 mags and thought about taking it from 18.75" to 16.75". But, after eyeballing it I decided that it would look kinda funny with that 2" missing. It looks just perfect at 18.75".
As far as a long barrel, I would think 24-26" would be nice. On the short Handi action you will still be shorter than a bolt gun with the same barrel.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2010, 05:34:13 PM »

Well..if I wanted a carbine..that's what I would buy..A 30-30 carbine lever gun.That's about as traditional as I would get with a true carbine..

My taste probably aren't yours my friend..so just so you know..I would love to have a 26" barrel on a single shot 30-30..preferably a octagon barreled BC..I'm all about single shots now..and I gotta tell you..there ain't one plug nickels difference in how easy it carries in the woods with a good sling..as opposed to a 20" barreled one..I'm not carrying it all day..I am walking through the woods..moving at a snails pace..I sling mine upside down where all I have to do is bring it up and shoot..and when I have to crawl over or under something..I have it in my hands so I can maneuver it..BTW...I also still hunt with a 5-1/2' long bow..and don't have a problem with getting off a fast shot with it either..

It's a single shot..and if I wanted a super short barrel rifle that I would only hunt in the woods with..never over 100 yards..I would find a pump 35 cal somewhere..and not look back..or take my 870 with a slug barrel on it..I wouldn't chop down a 30-30..I would want to get it to balance between my hands better..and short barreled Handi's don't do that for me..I shoot off hand a lot and a longer barrel tracks better on moving game..and if your only hunting bedded game where getting off a fast shot isn't primary..then a longer barrel will work just as good.But..since this is about you and your 30-30 Handi rifle..make it like you want it to be..so it works best for how you hunt..and so it fits you the best..

Mac

Datil · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2010, 06:13:30 PM »

I have 26 in 94 Win in 25-35 it is a shooter and a keep.
Datil

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2010, 06:15:42 PM »

The 45 Colt is a 20" barrel and feels about right for me in the Handi. It's shorter than a 20" bolt or lever as it is, and, well, Handi.

I have thought about going shorter, maybe 18" in certain calibers that are low pressure to eliminate part of the excessive noise.

Still pondering, maybe later. $:-\$ DP

OSOK · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2010, 07:19:27 PM »

Mac, glad to know there is another longbow man out there. I hunt with a Howard Hill Badger.

sachel.45 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2010, 07:21:34 PM »

id love to see a buffalo classic in .30-30 but i think 20" is a preety good length in either a lever or a single shot

Mac11700 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2010, 08:35:10 PM »

Quote from: OSOK on March 30, 2010, 07:19:27 PM

Mac, glad to know there is another longbow man out there. I hunt with a Howard Hill Badger.

Mines a MR Hamilton Scopion

Quote

I have 26 in 94 Win in 25-35 it is a shooter and a keep.
Datil

That's sweet..I'm green with envy

Back to the 30-30 question..

Mac

john-78 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2010, 12:04:20 AM »

ahwww mac, your one of those sling guy's?

petemi · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2010, 12:14:50 AM »

Not meaning to mix apples and oranges, but JerryKo is having good results with his 16.5 inch .35 Rem and my 16.5 inch Maxi BC is also shooting very well now that I have a sight problem resolved.

Pete

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2010, 12:46:29 AM »

Short barrels shoot as well as long barrels. You gain quicker handling (handiness) with a short barrel and a little less weight. You gain muzzle blast and loose velocity with a short barrel. Those are generalities, how much velocity you loose depends on how short you cut it and the case capacity. The higher the case capacity vs bore size the more you loose in velocity. My Handi 30-30 barrel is the standard 22". I find it just right. I can carry it muzzle down and not touch the ground, it gets on target quick and the balance feels good too. I have seen 30-30 barrels as short as 16" on a Winchester lever and they look almost toyish to me. I guess what I am saying, barrel length is a personal thing. You should know what you are giving up and what you are gaining and make your own mind up as to what you want. Personally I think 20" is a good compromise between a short barrel and still have decent velocity and not too much muzzle blast. However, I am not going to be cutting my barrel down to 20", to me, it is very Handi with the 22" length. Good Luck and Good Shooting

Airsporter · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2010, 01:18:13 AM »

I had a Winchester 94 Trapper in 30-30 with the factory 16" barrel. Easy to carry, no fun to shoot.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2010, 04:46:38 AM »

I think once you 'BC' it you will be happy to leave it as is. I'd +1 with Mac for the same reasons, but if H&R would package the 30-30 as a factory BC I think they would sell a bunch.

Kal52 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2010, 05:44:45 AM »

Its not a handy, but i have a 14" contender barrel, and its a nice shooter, Not sure what velocities etc I get, but The recoil is easy and the noise (for me) isnt punishing, granted Im holding it out a ways that may be the difference. Im planning the same build, 16.5- 18" barrel with the BC stock set (45-70 version). be interesting to find out what you do loose in terms of performance from a longer barrel to shorter. I just dont know where to look.

Good luck

Dave

DirtyDan · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2010, 09:38:31 AM »

I love shorter barrels, but I think you can go too short. I just finished cutting my 30-30 from 22 down to 19. It is much, much handier. See my range report posted today. As far long- I'd go 26 on a Handi, but it wouldn't be in 30-30. It would be 280.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2010, 11:48:11 AM »

Okay Fred, I guess I'm the only one who thought by "Ultimate" you meant to wring out the last FPS of velocity from a bullet; the point at which the expanding gasses cannot overcome the forces of friction and the bullet starts slowing down.

You know, like... what? 16 inches in a 22 LR? That type of ultimate.

But if that were the case you wouldn't be asking for short and long barrel lengths... Wait! Can you have two ultimates? nevermind...

I like short, 20 inches, but sometimes I like long like 24, or 22... I got a 30/30 with a 18.5 barrel and the noise doesn't bother me... probably cause I'm pretty deaf anyway... $:-\$

blacksan · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2010, 12:05:00 PM »

Quote from: Airsporter on March 31, 2010, 01:18:13 AM

I had a Winchester 94 Trapper in 30-30 with the factory 16" barrel. Easy to carry, no fun to shoot.

Hmmm, I have one of those and I find it pleasant to shot? What is it you don't like?

fredster22 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2010, 12:25:36 PM »

Thanks Richard,
You have hit the nail on the head. I like the the feel and handling of a shorter barrel especially in tight situations like where
I hunt. I like the idea of about 18 " Do you have any idea what the performance of your barrel is compared to 16-22 " barrels? The
noise factor is not too much concern as I do use protection and my hearing is excellent for an old fart. I have a Rem 760 30-06 pump
that I have used for years, 22" barrel , and have killed many deer with it but like these little singles and the challenge & 30-30 is a
favorite caliber. Fred

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2010, 12:41:54 PM »

Short barrels are handi sure but I just like longer barrels, I would love to have a H&R .30-30 with a 26" tube. I too hunt in the rough stuff here in Eastern Ky, mostly with handi rifles.

zoner · « **Reply #20 on:** March 31, 2010, 02:18:02 PM »

I'm not cutting mine...it's 22" factory....the overall rifle is pretty short anyway cuz it's a single shot and 30-30 isn't a cartridge i'd want to lose any velocity with if it's a hunting rifle. If it's a target rifle or plinkin rifle i guess i wouldn't care

AtlLaw · « **Reply #21 on:** March 31, 2010, 03:30:56 PM »

Quote from: fredster22 on March 31, 2010, 12:25:36 PM

Do you have any idea what the performance of your barrel is compared to 16-22 " barrels?

Sorry Fred I don't.

I bought the rifle, sighted it in with factory ammo, killed a deer with it and put it up.

When I confirm my hunting load for my M94 I'll put the same rounds through both rifles over the chrony for you. I don't expect much difference between 18.5 and 20 inches though. $:-\$ Them short barrels sure do handle easy though!