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Author Topic: Range report on shortened 30-30  (Read 1041 times)

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Offline DirtyDan

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Range report on shortened 30-30
« on: March 31, 2010, 09:04:06 AM »
Let me start by saying that cutting and recrowning a barrel is not difficult. I was motivated by info on this site and others. The one thing I learned the hard way that is not emphasized in the other posts (or I just missed it) is USE A SMALL GRINDING BALL for the recrown. I used a hose clamp on the barrel as a guide to try to make a square cut. It didn't work due to barrel taper. I got it square in one direction with some file work, but when turned 90* it is not square. I did not notice until after recrowned and polished. I don't know why I didn't see it and I was really PO'd. I used the recommended 600 grit wet/dry paper for polishing and cold blued the crown. The only grinding ball I had on hand was too big and of course it got away from me and wobbled and made the new crown off center. More PO'd than before. But I figured I 'd shoot the thing and redo it if necessary. Here's the results:   SAFE IN MY GUN, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK

POWDER,   CHARGE WT,    BULLET,   CASE,   PRIMER,    AVG. VELOSITY,ExSpread,SD,  Group Size,   No. of Shots,  Firearm,  Sight,  Distance,  COMMENTS, DATE

H380, 31.8 dipped, Cast 155 LFN,Rem,Rem 9.5, 1897,   51.73,   19.23,   0.55,   3, NEF Handi,Leupold 6x,60yds, bore slugged at 0.310, boolits are sized 0.309(go figure), 3/23/2010

H335,   26.0, BT 160 WFN,Rem,Rem 9.5, 1942,     118.1,   47.5,   0.837(4),   4 +1 flyer, NEF Handi,Leupold 6x,60yds,  6lb trigger = the flyer on the last shot these are sized 0.312   3/18/2010

All COAL are with the bullets touching the rifling. Speed is actual from my Chrony Beta Master on the above dates. Group size measured outside to outside of the farthest holes, then subtracting nominal bore (0.308) for center to center distance. I doubt it is legitimate but extrapolating to 100yds by adding 40%, the groups become 0.77 and 1.17 respectively. The gun is only slightly lighter, maybe 8oz, but at 19" instead of stock 22", it is a much handier Handi. The H380 load is using a Lee Powder Dipper. What do you think? Should I start over from scratch to make it pretty? Nah, I think I'll leave the "redneck recrown" as is, but I may reconsider that trigger job. ;D
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Offline canon6

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2010, 10:35:02 AM »
As the old saying goes. if it ain't broke  don't fix it.   ;D   Red necks and Handi's are a perfect pair, even those of us who have moved out of RNA.     Doug
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2010, 04:19:20 PM »
FWIW, I offer this for those who may be unfamilar with gunwork and/or modification:
On any of these 'technical aspects, read, re-read, and make sure you visualize and understand the process step by step, beginning to end before jumping in.
Take your time 'squaring' the muzzle cut. Look at it from several angles all around and simplify your life by using a small square held against the barrel.
The ball 'grinder' should not be used under power, but by hand, slowly and carefully with even downpressure onto the muzzle, held firmly verticle in a padded vise. Only a small, even crown ring is needed. If unsure what that means, look at a bunch of factory crowns to get a sense of it.
 
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Offline uncyboo

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2010, 04:30:31 PM »
I've always used the Brownell's hand crowning cutters. They work great, and the 90* cutter saves alot of filing time. Follow up with either 11* or 45* cutter and then a easy with a brass lap.
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2010, 04:41:26 PM »
DD,

How much velocity did  you lose by shorting the barrel 3 inches?  I am considering making a shorty rifle and just wondering about how much performance you lose.

thanks

BB
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Offline blind ear

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2010, 06:30:04 PM »
uncyboo, can you tell more abut the Brownells hand crowning cutters. What are we looking for? eddie
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2010, 06:39:15 PM »
They're shown in one of the five crowning links in the FAQs under Accurizing, there's even a video.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,26264.msg525466.html#msg525466
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2010, 06:45:25 PM »
Here's the best link on the Brownell's tool$.

http://riflestocks.tripod.com/targetcrown.html
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Offline shaner

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2010, 02:10:39 AM »
sounds like you have  it workin for you , has to be a fun rifle for sure !!
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Offline vabowhntr

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2010, 04:02:31 AM »
I just cut my .308 ultra off that had a muzzlebrake.  It was just too loud with the brake and I wanted to shorten it a little.  It is now 20.5" and just about perfect.  I was able to get a square cut by putting it in my vise and making sure it was perfectly square and using the vise as a guide to cut it flush.  Then used a file and 800 grit wet/dry paper to polish.  For the final deal, I used a #10 round head brass screw in a drill with jb bore paste instead of the grinding ball. Made a perfectly polished edge and it looks really good.   Took about 10 minutes with the mini hacksaw and way too much time with the 800 grit to get it right.  With the Federal .308 ammo from walmart I was getting about 2" groups at 125 yards off of a questionable rest, so for deer hunting I am happy with it.  The only thing is it has a really long jump to the rifling. I would have to have a COL of 3.05" to make it with a 180 gr speer bt.
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Offline dross80

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2010, 09:28:17 AM »
I have a friend who is a construction contractor who has an abrasive cutoff saw.  Anyone see any problems with this method.  He should have the equipment to make it perfectly square on the cut.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2010, 10:25:45 AM »
He cant do anything with power equipment that you cant do with a fine tooth hacksaw except make mistakes faster. Faster aint always better! You learn what a machine tool is supposed to do by learning with hand tools.
The 'perfectly square' part is iffy, to me, anything short of a lathe.
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"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline bikerbeans

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2010, 11:08:13 AM »
Dross,

Be careful if you used a powered abrasive wheel saw as they generate a lot of heat.  If you cut pipe, rebar, angle iron etc. it will turn cherry red right at the cut.  Not sure it would be good for your barrel to heat it up like that. 

BB
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RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline DirtyDan

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Re: Range report on shortened 30-30
« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2010, 07:47:59 AM »
Biker- I never compared the same load in the same rifle to measure loss of velosity after the cut. All I wanted to know was if the velosity was acceptable with an accurate load in the gun. Sorry
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