30-30 snap-on fix

[guns-o-fun]

I am really kind of disappointed with the snap-on forend arrangement on my model 158 30-30 barrel.  The best accuracy I get at 50 yards is about 1.5 inch.  I am thinking of taking a steel bushing and attaching it around the snap-on post, and then drilling out and threading the center for a forend screw.  Anybody tried something like this?  A lot of trouble - but if it gives me better control of the forend to barrel fit, it might make a difference in accuracy.

[trotterlg]

shoot it with the forearm off and if there is no difference then leave it alone.  Larry

[Airsporter]

Personally, I would trade the 'handiness' of a snap-off forend for a half inch or so.  1.5" at 50 yds means you hit within 3" of your point of aim at 200 yards (with est. 6" group).  That's within specs for military acceptance.    Certainly, a fine deer buster.  

Let me know if you want to sell it.

[Airsporter]

Personally, I would trade the 'handiness' of a snap-off forend for a half inch or so.

Oops!    Meant to say "I would not trade the 'handiness' of a snap-off forend for a half inch or so."

[guns-o-fun]

I see your point.  As far as shooting it without the forend, I don't think it would make that much difference because the fit is loose as is.  Seeing that this is a light barrel, it may like a firmer forend.  I may just RTV bed it just to increase the grip of the forend.  That way, I can always scrape it back out if it does not improve things.   Thanks for the thoughts.

[gcrank1]

Does that have a forearm spacer too? If so make a shim  or several to go between it and the wood to snug up the fit and see what happens. Ive used cardstock for experiments and the black plastic (the rigid, not styro) from meat package trays with success. Make it overlarge to start and do the screw holes, put it together and do the outline.

[guns-o-fun]

I already did the McPherson fix of bedding between the spacer and the forend.  It is still somewhat loose, but much better than when I got it.  I think judicious use of some RTV - especially toward the front end of the forend, will help.

[Mac11700]

I already did the McPherson fix of bedding between the spacer and the forend.  It is still somewhat loose, but much better than when I got it.  I think judicious use of some RTV - especially toward the front end of the forend, will help.

I've tried many different ways of bedding these rifles forearms,from installing brass bushings to doing full skim coats with steel powder mixed in. I've always gotten the best results (accuracy wise) with having a full bed of RTV silicon. It always works best for me to have a dedicated forearm for each barrel with the RTV because it is very easy to mess it up when changing barrels a-lot. I would stay at-least 1/2" away from the latch when using this. Open the barrel channel up evenly enough to have the compound cradle the whole barrel on both of the sides. I've opened many of mine up to allow 1/16" to  1/8" between the barrel and the stock with excellent results. The dampening power of having a full bed of this is great and will tighten the stock up,but if you need it more tight,enough so that you need to assist the barrel to open by pushing downward on it (as if brand new) then add more normal hard bedding compound behind the forearm spacer.Be carefull and not make it extremly difficult to open because you will be pushing the barrel lug hard into the pivot hinge pin and could open up the barrel to breech face gap.

Mac

[guns-o-fun]

Mac,  That is about what I had intended.  You know what, though?  I had the gun out this weekend and I increased the tension on the snap on latch a little by prying the catch up just a bit.  I then slid a large o-ring (well not huge - but one that would fit) down the barrel until it was about a quarter of an inch inside the front end of the forend.  Bingo - the accuracy went way up.  I was getting the first two holes touching and the third off about 1.5 inches for 2 tries from 60 yards - this is just me proped up against a tree and shooting offhand.  For all I know, that "flyer" could have been me or it could have been the old familiar handi phenomenon of stringing after the barrel heats up.  Anyway, at this point I would say the problem is fixed (certainly from a hunting stand point) - and you could not ask for a sweeter, lighter little rig to carry up to the top of the ridgeline during doe season!   Now my biggest problem is to figure out if I want to carry this or the 45LC/454 that shares the same SB2 receiver.  The 30-30 has a slight edge on weight though.  

[Mac11700]

Congrats..it nice when the fix is simple..Glad it worked out easy for you..

Mac