30-30 vs 30-30 AI

[skeeter]

I really like my G2 better than my encore.  I want a caliber that is medium ranged, instead of the 7mm-08.  Too much blast and noise.  Locally a shop has a 14 inch 30-30 barrel for $179 new.  Should I get it or should I order a 30-30 AI from midway.  They run $235.  What is the effective range of the 30-30 on deer and what velocities should I expect?

[pigboy]

I love my 30-30 AI from Midway.  Combined with the Lee dies it is a bargain for a wildcat.  I get better than 2600 fps with 125 grn bullets which is much better than the regular 30-30.  If you want to shoot plain old 30-30 ammo in it you can do that too and you end up with your fire-formed brass.  Mine will shoot right at 1" when I do my part.

[skeeter]

Thanks  Pigboy.  Where do you find load data?

[Moe]

I've got one of the Midway AI barrels and Lee dies. It is wonderful. Chamber is cut nice with a normal throat. I can actually touch the lands with the bullets. I have been shooting R-P 110's and 125 BT's. They are pretty accurate with the powder I had on hand. If I take the time I am sure I can make it a tack driver. I believe mine was $190, they had a sale a few months ago. Hope this helps.

[Gavinator]

I'd say if you're shooting off-hand a standard 30-30Win would be a good choice, of course that's with a Super 14. Some cartridges are just easy shooters like the 30-30Win or 357 Max. You'll need to check how the throat was cut on that barrel, if it has the steep, short throat, leave that one for somebody else.
 If you shoot from a rest go for the improved. I have 2 improved barrels now, 1 rechamber, 1 Bullberry.
 Larry Sand's article on the 30-30AI is at;

http://www.reloadingroom.com/page47.html

 The velocity you can get from 150-165gr bullets from a 14" barrel is impressive.

[pigboy]

Here is some data that I found floating around on a message board.  I used this and started low and worked my way up.  I have only used H4198 and AA2520 and have had similar results as the data listed below shows.  Mine also shoots factory 30-30 great.  Start low and work up.

.30-30 Ackley Improved (T/C Contender Super 14) Data

------------------------------------------------------------------------
110gr Hornady V-MAX / 35.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2700 FPS
110gr Hornady V-MAX / 37.0grs. A.A.2015BR = 2700 FPS
110gr Speer Round nose / 34.0grs. RL-7 "not chrono'd yet"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
125gr Nosler BT / 34.5grs. H-4198SC = 2689 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 34.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2683 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 34.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2627 FPS

125gr Nosler BT / 33.5grs. IMR-4198 = 2617 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. A.A.2520 = 2560 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 36.0grs. A.A.2015BR = 2550 FPS

125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. A.A.2230 = 2507 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 36.0grs. H-322 = 2498 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. IMR-3031 = 2480 FPS

125gr Nosler BT / 37.0grs. IMR-3031 = 2375 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 41.5grs. W-748 = 2473 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. A.A.4064 = 2434 FPS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
130gr Hornady SSP / /33.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2588 FPS
130gr Hornady S.P. / 38.0grs. A.A.2520 = 2520 FPS

130gr Hornady SSP / 36.5grs. H-4895 = 2490 FPS
130gr Speer Flat Nose/38.0grs. H-335 = 2486 FPS

130gr Berger H.P. / 35.0grs. A.A.2015BR = 2371 FPS
130gr Berger H.P. /36.0grs. H-322 = 2346 FPS

130gr Berger H.P. /36.5grs. IMR-4895 = 2257 FPS
130gr Berger H.P. /35.0grs. H-322 = 2245 FPS
130gr Hornady SP /34.0grs RL-10x = 2450fps
130gr Hornady SP /36.0grs. RL-10x = 2580fpsMax. load
------------------------------------------------------------------------
135gr Sierra SSP / 33.5grs. IMR-4198 = 2517 FPS
135gr Sierra SSP /33.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2488 FPS
135gr Sierra SSP /38.5grs. IMR-4895 = 2435 FPS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
150gr Speer / 36.0gr.s IMR-3031 = 2450 FPS
150gr Nosler BT / 36.0grs. IMR-3031 = 2437 FPS
150gr Hornady / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2416 FPS

150gr Speer Flat Point / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2410 FPS
150gr Sierra / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2396 FPS
150gr Hornady S.P. / 38.5grs. Reloader15 = 2390 FPS

150gr Hornady S.P. / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2380 FPS
150gr Speer Mag Tip / 37.0grs. H-335 = 2372 FPS
150gr Hornady / 36.5grs. W-748 = 2370 FPS

150gr Hornady SST / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2369 FPS
150gr Rem PSPCL / 35.0grs. H-322 = 2350 FPS
150gr Hornady S.P. / 37.5grs. A.A.4064 = 2350 FPS

150gr Rem PSPCL / A.A.2520 35.5gr = 2340 FPS
150gr Rem Core-Lockt / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2311 FPS
150gr Hornady S.P. / 33.0grs. Re-7 = 2350 FPS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165gr Hornady B.T.S.P. / 34.0grs. IMR-4895 = 2255 FPS
165gr Speer Spt.B.T. / 34.0grs. IMR-4895 = 2240 FPS
165gr Hornady B.T.S.P. / 31.0grs. Re-7 = 2126 FPS

[Darrell H]

My vote is for the 30-30 AI.  I started out with a 14" 30-30 Win. from Bullberry.  I could never get 2200 fps with 125 grain bullets, so I opted to have Bullberry rechamber it to 30-30 Improved.  I now get 2400 fps with 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips.  To me, it was worth the difference.  Your results may vary...

Good luck with whatever you decide.  

X

[fyrepowrx]

I have both a 14" Armour Alloy 30/30 & one of the Midway 30/30 AI barrels i got back when they were on sale for $199.

If i had to pick one, i'd go with the AI version...better velocities, flatter trajectories, and all the AI owners i've spoke with have reported improvements in accuracy over the conventional round. i dunno if this is because of more positive headspacing on the sharp-shouldered rounds, or whether the increase in case capacity makes a more "balanced" round, or whether it is somthing else completely, but for whatever reason i have yet to hear an 30/30AI owner have any complaints about their barrels or the round....

here is the best article i have yet found on the 30/30 AI:

http://www.handgunhunt.com/tech/t28/index.html

Good shootin!

[nomosendero]

I also strongly favor the 30-30AI. I am getting 2,400FPS with my Super 14
& 150 Gr. BT's. So far my longest shot on a big game animal is an Antelope at 187 Yards. Expansion was still good at that range & the Nosler
BT seems to be the perfect match for this set-up.