Chamber variations in .30 Herrett

[fyrepowrx]

Hello all, i am new to the forum so be gentle with me... had an observation recently, just bought a batch of barrels to get one of 2 i wanted, and decided to keep a 10" .30 Herrett...mine was getting a bit worn, this one i kept was mint, possible unfired, and when i went to load up a batch of ammo, i noticed that the brass that worked fine in my old barrel would not chamber in the newer one.. had to move case shoulder back in resizing to make brass work. not a difficult process, but i had never had 2 identical TC barrels at the same time to compare chamber dimensions.. has anyone else ever had similar experiences? of course i know that there will be some variation in guns, but in this case the difference was considerable... more than what you would consider to be random chamber variation.. i would be interested to hear comments..  

[cbagman]

:-) Welcome to the forum. Is the brass not fitting in the chamber with tthe barrels off the frame?? If so, it could be differences is production reamers over time... What I have had experience with is factory chambered barrels and Bullberry barrels of the same caliber not interchanging the brass. This was in .30-30 and in 7x30 chamberings. It was due to smaller base deminsions in the Custom barrels not taking the brass shot in the factory barrels.. I had to get smaller sizing dies...cbagman

[Hopalong7]

I've owned 3 different .30 Herrets and loaded ammo for two others...been using the same ol' set of RCBS dies for each one.  I locked down the adjustment ring on the sizing die way back in the 70's and I don't think its ever been moved since.  Brass has fit each barrel about the same.  Now throat depth has been another matter entirely.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt  :grin:

[skb2706]

I had two 7-30 Waters barrels one 14" Hunter model and a 21" carbine barrel both from TC. The chambers in the two barrels were totally different.....actually the quality of the finish was different as well.

[Steve P]

You can have two barrels made in the same batch and have different chambering specs.  T/C uses a drill press to finish ream.  Not especially in the perfection realm of machining.   I have many chambering in t/c that are identical to my silhouette shooting partner.  We cannot use each others ammo.  None of it will fit the others barrel (except .22lr) and even that shoots different in my barrel than in his.

Two barrels, two batches of brass, and generally, two different die settings.  Just my experience with about 30+ barrels.

Steve  

[Jim S]

I have had the same experience in chamber varations. My barrel that I kept, I've had 4 of them,  and shoot is an old tapered barrel with the front sight sweated on and the 6 groove 1:14 twist barrel. It seems to have the chamber cut a hair deeper than my other 30 H's have been. Some of the barrels gave a little pressure with 24.0/H4227/125 BT but not with this one. It also shoots that load just under 1" @100 when I do my part. I also have changed the locking bolt , orginally solid bolt , to a split one that fits the frame I use it on VERY tight. It will give you a sore hand opening the action if you shoot it much in a day. You always have variation in mass produced , or semi mass produced items in TC's case . I bet you could work with your 30H and get it to shoot but you want to start with oversized brass and do the drill to make the brass correct that is the most important thing to consider in the Herrets IMHO. Jim