30-30 to 30-30 AI?

[Dezynco]

I'm sure this has been asked before, so forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse!

I have a Super 14 barrel in 30-30 that shoots perfectly, even better that I can I can shoot with most of my rifles.  However, I've been thinking about rechambering it to the AI.  I'm interested in the extra velocity that I can get  from the AI. 

Should I leave well enough alone?  OR, since the barrel is fantastic, would it be a good one for the AI rechamber?  Since I can rent a reamer, can or should I do this my self, or should I have a 'smith do the work?

[RaySendero]

What bullet are you using and what velocity increase do you expect from the AI?

[Ladobe]

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/3030atext.htm

[uncyboo]

If I had one that shot that good, I'd keep it as is and snag another one to experiment with. If it works out for you, great. If not, you can always sell it and the dies for just a little less than you put in it. Long run cost won't be much to settle your curiosity.

[Dezynco]

What bullet are you using and what velocity increase do you expect from the AI?

I'll be running 125 - 150grain jacketed bullets for hunting, 180-200 grain cast lead for dinking around.  I expect 150 - 200fps across the board, should shoot a little flatter.

I had a 30-30 AI barrel once that would not shoot groups less than 2" at 100 yards, but I just figgure it was a dud.  I'm just wondering if I rechamber this barrel that shoots perfectly could I gain anything by rechambering it to AI, or would I be messing up a good barrel.

[shot1]

If it were me I would just order me a new barrel from MGM in 30-30AI because if it shoots like the one I got from them you will be VERY HAPPY. Then you can sell your 30-30 barrel and recoup most of your investment. I have a 14" SS Shilen barrel from MGM in 30-30AI and it will shoot under 1" groups at 100 yards all day. I shoot 33 grs IMR 4198, Wolf LR primer, WW case, 125 Nosler ballistic tip and average 2670 fps. It hammers deer.

To show you the accuracy of the MGM barrel I have. When I fire formed 50 cases I used a bunch of junk I had setting around. I had some IMR 4320 powder that I have had for years and use in nothing. I had a bunch of 147 gr FMJ bullets that had been pulled from military ammo. I loaded up the starting load for a 30-30 win in new WW cases. I went to the range to fire form them with two friends. With all three of us shooting and one of them had never shot a Contender before. All 50 shots were under 1 1/2" at 100 yards.

[SD Handgunner]

I used to have a Super 14 .30-30 AI. Mine started life out as an old .30 Herrett that SSK rechambered to .30-30AI for me.

In the .30-30AI Chamber I used a couple different 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip .30-30 Winchester Handloads to fireform my brass. Both of those loads achieved 2400 FPS in my barrel. Once I fired those .30-30 Winchester Handloads I ended up with a perfectly formed .30-30 AI brass case.

I mainly concentrated on 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips and used the following powders:

H-4198
IMR-4198
AA#2230
H-322
W-748

W-748 produced the slowest velocity with H-4198 producing the highest velocity in .30-30 AI Brass. Velocity gain from the parent .30-30 Winchester Handloads in my barrel ranged from an increase of 73 FPS to 289 FPS. The load I ultimately settled on in .30-30 AI Brass gained me 201 FPS over what my barrel produced with .30-30 Winchester Handloads.

I also used a load using 150gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip loaded with IMR-3031. Average velocity was 2437 FPS but I never did fire any .30-30 Winchester ammo loaded with 150gr. Bullets for a comparison in that barrel.

Larry

[RaySendero]

  I'm just wondering if I rechamber this barrel that shoots perfectly could I gain anything by rechambering it to AI, or would I be messing up a good barrel.

Well yeah - You are always taking a chance when fixing something that's not broke!

[David D.]

I have a 13"MGM 30-30AI and love it. But with no more gain than your going to get from your 30-30 I personally would leave it as is! Why take the chance of screwing up a fantastic shooting barrel. I would purchase a new 30-30AI from a reputable vendor and have both!

[Junior1942]

  I'm just wondering if I rechamber this barrel that shoots perfectly could I gain anything by rechambering it to AI, or would I be messing up a good barrel.

Well yeah - You are always taking a chance when fixing something that's not broke!

Yep, you might go from a 30-30 shooting great groups to a 30-30 AI shooting bad patterns.

[Higene]

Think short case life. Rule #1 in wildcatting - Don't try to reinvent the .308.

my opinion.

Higene

[shot1]

If you don't overload and properly size (just bump the shoulder) case life with the 30-30AI is great. The case also does not need trimming very often if at all.

[Hopalong7]

      One of Mr P O Ackley's major reasons for his improved designs was better case life and headspacing capabilities .
Walt

[Dezynco]

have a 13"MGM 30-30AI and love it. But with no more gain than your going to get from your 30-30 I personally would leave it as is! Why take the chance of screwing up a fantastic shooting barrel. I would purchase a new 30-30AI from a reputable vendor and have both!

I think I'll take David D's advice and leave well enough alone.  My Super 14 is amazingly accurate, almost anyone that shoots it can get 2" groups at 100 yards the first time they shoot it!  With a little practice, 1" groups are pretty common.  I have shot 1 hole groups with it a couple of times at 100 yards if I was really careful.

I may order up a 30-30 AI from MGM some time soon.

[Hopalong7]

    Don't blame you one bit.....perfection is hard to improve upon!
Walt

[Fire Fox]

I have one in a 16 inch barrel that out performed the 309 JDJ  I had in the same length barrel with less recoil and noise. I found that the AI shot even better than the 30-30 because of the better cartridge to bore configuration. I would suggest using 375 win brass because it is stronger and works even better to form the AI cases. However, the 30-30 brass worked well also. Hope this helps.