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Author Topic: 307 Winchester in a Handi.  (Read 1209 times)

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Offline cwlongshot

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307 Winchester in a Handi.
« on: March 01, 2009, 02:02:31 PM »
This is basically a new thought spawned from the 30-30 AI thread. I didn't want to stray so far from the orig topic. There is some really good info there and I didnt want it lost in the mix.
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,166213.30.html

Another days pondering has brought me closer to the 307 Win conversion of my 308 Survivor barrel.

 Please correct me if I am wrong, but as I understand it, all needs be done is to remove the 308 extractor/ejector. Cut the rim in my 308 barrel to chamber a 307 case. Then replace the 308 extractor/ejector with a 30-30 ejector/extractor. When cutting the rim, shouldn't it be .001-.002 deeper then flush?

 I already know that 308 dies load 307 bullets. Midway has a supply of 307 Brass. (I have 100 coming.  ::) )

 I sent a Email to Fred @ 4Dreamers, but he doesn't carry a 307 reamer. He suggested I just have a smith cut the rim on a lathe.

 Again, I am not looking to make a barn burner here. I already have the needed barrel (My 308 Survivor) and dies (Any 308 will work), brass was the one obstacle and I found some of that. Please post up if I'm off base.

 Who here has one?

CW
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Offline R.W.Dale

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2009, 02:26:57 PM »
Fred does have a 308MRX reamer

you can double check to insure there's no interference with the case body of your existing chamber. If not you should be able to use that reamer to cut a rim groove in your bbl

Before I went with a ppc based wildcat for my bench gun I was considering using this reamer to make a rimless 308marlin for my Savage bench gun
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Offline SM Bob

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2009, 02:37:29 PM »
Sounds like it shouldn't be all that tough of a conversion. Go for it Pal!

                               Robert
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Offline LONGTOM

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2009, 03:45:33 PM »
Just as soon as I can I am going to do one as a companion gun to my model 94 BB but I am starting with a 30-30 barrel so I wont' have to change the rim or extractor any.
I am already set up for the 307 and have about 200 factory rounds and around 100 reloads with 150gr Win Silver Tip bullets.
My 94 liked the load and hopefully the Handi will to.


LONGTOM
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Offline trotterlg

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2009, 04:06:19 PM »
If you just cut a rim for the 307 you can switch back and forth between it and the 308 by just changing the ejector parts out.  Just give it about .001 to .002 below flush, use your brass to cut the rim depth, the SAAMI drawings will give you too deep of a cut.  Larry
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Offline Haywire Haywood

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2009, 02:46:34 AM »
Not that you need a reason, but why?  Seems I remember that Handi rifles had problems ejecting rimless cartridges a few years ago and the 307 was a good solution for that on a 308 barrel.  Hasn't the new ejector fixed the problem?  Sorry, I'm a bit behind on new handi developments..

Ian
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2009, 11:54:25 AM »
Quote from: Haywire Haywood on March 02, 2009, 02:46:34 AM
Not that you need a reason, but why?  Seems I remember that Handi rifles had problems ejecting rimless cartridges a few years ago and the 307 was a good solution for that on a 308 barrel.  Hasn't the new ejector fixed the problem?  Sorry, I'm a bit behind on new handi developments..

Ian

Ian,
 Its just one of those things.. why not?!?!  I really like rimmed cases in Handi's. Yes, you are absolutely correct, most of the case extraction issues are solved with the new extractor. This barrel is an ejector barrel. I know I could just do the conversion as outlined in the FAQ's. I also realize along with that I could just down load the 308 and be done. But what fun world that be. I mean ANYONE could just do that!!??!?  ::) ::)

 I received my parts from Brownells today. I didn't realize I would also have to open up the ejector groove for a wider 30-30 ejector. I guess its no biggie, looks like I need some time on the bridgeport for that job.





Hopefully I will have the needed reamer in a couple days.

CW
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2009, 12:03:21 PM »
Sorry about that CW, the only conversion I've done was a rimless to rimmed on the 357 to 35 Rem, ejectors on both the 357 and 30-06 are the same width, but I did know that the 45-70 was wider, never thought about the 30-30 being wide too.  ::) :-[

Tim
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Offline OBXPilgrim

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2009, 12:16:47 PM »
So, you sure that ejector can't be made so that either cartridge can be fired in the rifle without changing anything?

I mean you are just dealing with .017" difference in radius.  Most of the ejectors for rimless will spring down some, for the 307, you'd just need it to stay there.  Might take some mods to the spring button.

Be nice to have it both ways.

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Offline trotterlg

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2009, 01:10:30 PM »
It's a lot easier to mill off the sides of the ejector, that is what I do.  Larry

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Offline gendoc

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2009, 01:25:41 PM »
i agree with trotterig, and krochus is right also.......
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2009, 04:57:56 PM »
Quote from: trotterlg on March 09, 2009, 01:10:30 PM
It's a lot easier to mill off the sides of the ejector, that is what I do.  Larry

 I agree, definitely easier. But with the larger rim and diameter, you don't feel that will cause any problems?

CW
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Offline NFG

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2009, 05:39:04 PM »
I did a 356 W rebore/rechamber in a Marlin 336 which is basically a necked up 307 case and I didn't have any problems with using 358 cases or reformed ANY 0.473 based case as far as shooting or ejecting was concerned and I didn't do anything to the 336's ejector or extractor...I tried 307, 308, 30-06, 8mm, 7mm necked up to 358 cal, resized and trimmed, loaded with the same charge and bullet and mixed in the mag tube rimmed AND rimless, grabbed out of a pile of loaded ammo and stuffed in the loading port...nary a hiccup.  There was a gigantic freakout over the whole situation...but I don't think anyone except a few even tried to see if what I said was true or not...I use 308 cases because they feed better.

What you are doing is basically the same thing...giving you the ability to use a rimmed and a rimless case...the 307/356 cases are slightly harder to find and seem to be run seasonally.  When I was doing my conversion 307 cases were non-existant but the 356 cases were available at Cabelas...last time I looked both were available through Midway, Cabelas, Lock-stock and barrel, Midsouth and Natchez.

I wouldn't try to talk you out of doing it as it is an interesting project.

You can load it to standard 52KCUP pressures just like any of the '08 or '06 based calibers in the NEF and I would bet you won't have to do much to the OEM ejector because of the spring or button as Pilgrim says, which helps grab the rimless case.

I'm not sure why you would go to a rimmed case when you have the equal in the 308W...but that doesn't matter, does it... ;D...they are ballistic twins and the cases are identical except for the rim on the 307, although the 307 case was supposed to have slightly thicker walls in the bottom 1/3, I've never sectioned or measured one to be sure.

I would forget the 30-30 extractor until after I did the rechamber and fired a few to see how the OEM ejector worked then do the milling.  The spring isn't all that strong so if the cases stick you will need a ramrod or mill a section at 90° so you can use a small modified screwdriver as an extractor...someone already has that information available...Fred maybe in the stickys.

Not to make too small a point but I can't figure out why anyone would want a 30-30 AI when you can have a 307/308 in the same package...40 years ago it was the way to go or do a 30 LeverPower, but not today...there are just way to many reasons not to.

Luck on your projects.
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Offline trotterlg

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2009, 05:41:11 PM »
No problem at all with it.  I did the same thing with a 357 Herrett rechamber and it worked out perfect.  If you have the time I will mill yours down for free.  Larry
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Offline Haywire Haywood

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2009, 10:47:35 PM »
Quote from: cwlongshot on March 09, 2009, 11:54:25 AM
This barrel is an ejector barrel.

AHA!  Go forth my son, you have my blessing... LOL

Ian
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Offline jacksbark

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #15 on: March 10, 2009, 08:55:42 PM »
I had a rim-cut made in a Handi 308 barrel a few years back (done by Mike B. in OR) for 307 and it was a the best $60 I ever spent on a Handi - shoots all weights of .308 bullets between 110 grain and 220 grain like a laser beam - only way to get under a 1" 5-group at 100 yards is to twitch or otherwise screw-up. He also did me a R/C for a 30-40 Krag out of a 30-30 bbl and that one is also a keeper.
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Offline jacksbark

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Re: 307 Winchester in a Handi.
« Reply #16 on: March 14, 2009, 07:33:41 PM »
Talking about 'screwing-up' ....  ::) .... what i meant to say, above, was 'the only way to get OVER (bigger than) a 1" group is to twitch .... etc.' .... oh, what the **** .... I'm going back to sleep  :P

Point is .... DEFINITELY .... the 308 to 307 is one of the easiest changes of heavy caliber to do in a Handi .... NEK would likely still be NEF if they had done (like I suggested  ;D) and offered the likes of 307, 303 Brit and Savage, 8x57JRS, 30-40, 375 Wing., etc., etc., nut no .... they're the experts and I only buy the things  ::)
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