Author Topic: 30-30 AI (Read 508 times)

Zelphia · « **on:** November 05, 2004, 06:12:41 PM »

I received a 14" barrel chambered for the 30-30 AI from Midway today. It fits my G2 perfectly. Snaps shut with minimal effort and locks properly every time. Very nice. But I'm confused about fireforming brass. There seems to be a consensus here that shooting factory 30-30 rounds will properly fireform cases for this caliber. The standard way to fireform cartridges is to seat the bullet hard into the rifling and use a light load. The purpose is to keep the case solidly against the breech while it expands so that the brass can only flow forward under pressure as it takes the shape of the chamber. If this isn't done the case will be pushed forward by the blow of the firing pin until it bottoms out. Then it will expand to the dimensions of the chamber, then stretch rearward until it hits the breech. This rearward stretching is known to thin the case at the web, setting it up for early retirement. Is this not a concern for the 30-30 AI? I like the convenience of being able to use factory rounds if I want to. But is it the best way to get fireformed 30-30 AI brass?

KYODE · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2004, 08:29:03 PM »

the 30-30 headspaces on the rim for first firing.
both reloads, and factory ammo worked fine for me. i have shot mostly reloaded standard 30-30's at max charge for forming though.

what ya scoping it with? i love the 2x7 burris/3 ring redfield mount on mine. :grin:

Flash · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2004, 01:19:20 AM »

You are partially right. You are refering to a practice which involves drastic changes in fireforming, not just changing the shoulder angle. In some cases, there might be some considerable size difference between cases which will make it necessary to negate any movement in the chamber. A 30/30 AI starting out from a 30/30 Winchester will already be headspaced correctly(on the rim) so there isn't an issue in how you fireform. The 30 Herrett for instance, headspaces on the shoulder so foreforming these from 30/30 Winchester cases requires a little more technique as you mentioned.

Zelphia · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2004, 09:48:49 AM »

I have a Bushnell 2x6x32 Trophy that I'll use initially. It has held up well for me but I'm not real crazy about this scope. It is the only scope that I have right now. I'm probably going to buy a Leupold 2x but not sure yet. I'm trying to decide on what base/ring configuration to use also. Probably use Leupold for that too. So many decisions... so little time!

Jim S · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2004, 05:36:58 PM »

Like Kayode said use a good snappy 30/30 load and the cases form perfectly. I lose 1 or 2 cases per 100 with slpits in the shoulder but have not had any seperations in the web. A properly formed 30/30 AI and properly sized does not strech upon firing . That is one of the reasons Ackley designed his cases like he did.