Rechamber Tech Question

[Dinny]

  Sometime after I return stateside I would like to have a 30-30 barrel rechambered to 30-40 Krag. My barrel has an ejector. Is there a direct replacement ejector that can be swapped or does the existing one need to be modified? Looking at Steve's cartridge pages shows me that they're close but not identical rims. Is there anything else I should consider for a Krag rechamber?

Thanks, Dinny

[AtlLaw]

I would like to have a 30-30 barrel re-chambered to 30-40 Krag.

Me to!   
 

My barrel has an ejector.

Mine to!!   
 

Is there a direct replacement ejector that can be swapped or does the existing one need to be modified?

I dunno for sure...  But I don't think so... 
 

Is there anything else I should consider for a Krag re-chamber?

Not that I know of...    I had it done once and figured everything would be taken care of by the finish reamer.  Well, the darn thing never would eject!     Fired every time, but the spent brass wouldn't budge until tapped out!   
 
This was long before I found this forum so I took it back and the 'smith who polished the chamber; several times!     He finally got it to where it would eject, but then the darn thing wouldn't fire on the first hammer fall... EVER!!!     The trigger always had to be pulled a second time before the rifle would fire.   
 
But all things happen for a reason.  That barrel made me the acquaintance of MSP Ret, the fine member who led me to this forum!   
 
Do you have any idea who to use for the rechamber job?   

[Dinny]

Richard,
  I plan to have Wayne York rechamber it.

It will become one of my Dynamic Duo.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,238641.0.html

Thanks, Dinny

[quickdtoo]

A .410 ejector would require less modification(rim is .525") than the 30-30 ejector as long as the post size is the same, I think you'd want to know if you have a post '98 barrel or not since they changed then.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,160327.msg1098712185.html#msg1098712185

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,151716.msg1098640317.html#msg1098640317

[SHOOTALL]

how about a 45-70 ? or 38-55 winchester ?

[Dinny]

The 30-40's rim diameter is .545" The 38-55's rim diameter is .506", but the .410 is even closer at .525".  All the less to trim. Numrich has the .410 ejector for about $8.

Thanks, Dinny

[SHOOTALL]

I didn't know the .410

[ibgp3]

30-40 Krag case head is very close to the .303 Brit.
I have an extractor that was  hand made to fit the .303 Brit.
It also works well with the .444 Marlin case head and the .307( =30-30) case head
It does not work with the .308 case head.


The factory .308 extractor works with the .307 case head
It does not work with the .444 case head


Based on those functional ranges I would bet on the .410 working if it fits the slot.

[Dinny]

Based on those functional ranges I would bet on the .410 working if it fits the slot.

I plan to give it a try. I just hope it doesn't take 3 weeks of ejector modification to find out.

Thanks, Dinny

[ibgp3]

I just hope it doesn't take 3 weeks of ejector modification to find out.
Thanks, Dinny

That's cold!! ....but I can give you the name of a guy not to use if you are in a hurry.


Best bet: DIY

[Dinny]

I don't trust myself to that kinda stuff. Wayne will get it and I'm certain it will all be fine.

Thanks, Dinny

[jeepmann1948]

If you anneal your 30-30 ejector prior to reaming it can be reamed while installed in the barrel, the re-hardened afterwards.Ask petemi how it works . The 30-40 is a grand old round that being said .I personally think a 308/307 in practical sense is a better round .
George

[Dinny]

If you anneal your 30-30 ejector prior to reaming it can be reamed while installed in the barrel, the re-hardened afterwards.Ask petemi how it works . The 30-40 is a grand old round that being said .I personally think a 308/307 in practical sense is a better round .
George

George,
  That's great advice! I like the 30-40K in this application because it goes better with the 45-70 Gov't.

Thanks, Dinny

[cwlongshot]

Wheni I did my 356 rechambered I was also conserned about the ejector   I followed Larry's advice and carefully re cut it with and at same time as I cut the chamber.

Go slow and do by hand and it should be find. Just cut the one you have.

CW

[handishooter]

+ 1 on annealing the ejector and leaving it in while you ream the chamber. I did this on my 6.5x53r, I use .303 Brit cases to form the brass. I annealed the ejector then cut the chamber. Once I had the chamber cut, I heat treated the ejector the old fashioned way, got it red hot with a torch, then submerged it in old motor oil, then put it in the oven at 400 for several hours so it would not be brittle, not exactly scientific but it has held up to about 2k rounds so far. It is my favorite handi and round combination and I hunt with it every year.

[Dinny]

It's unanimous. Wayne said the same thing, modify the existing ejector when the rechamber is being cut.

While on the 30-40 Krag subject. Is there anything the 30-30 can do the Krag can't do better? In other words, is there a real good reason to keep it a 30-30? I have dies, brass and bullets for both already.

Thanks, Dinny

[dave29]

Make it a 30-30ai! I have one, brass lasts forever, adds some serious velocity, and it looks cool. The 30-30 is probably one of the best rounds to turn in to an AI.

[quickdtoo]

The 30-40AI would be an even better performance gain than the 30-30 AI. 

Tim

[gendoc]

Make it a 30-30ai! I have one, brass lasts forever, adds some serious velocity, and it looks cool. The 30-30 is probably one of the best rounds to turn in to an AI.

very good dave, i hava #3 in AI an 1 in krag.......i perfer'd tha AI years ago when hunt'n pigs
 
 
 
 

[Dinny]

Both good points, but dies are another added expense. I'm reading through this right now and I'm enjoying what I have found about the Krag and a few other cartridges I already own.

http://leverguns.com/articles/paco/small_charges.htm

Thanks, Dinny

[quickdtoo]

I found it finally! The % improvement over the parent chamber.  30-40AI dies are $60 at Eabco.

Tim

http://www.4-dproducts.com/ackleychart.php

http://www.eabco.com/store/reloading-supplies/custom-30-40-ackley-improved-reloading-dies/

[Dinny]

very good dave, i hava #3 in AI an 1 in krag.......i perfer'd tha AI years ago when hunt'n pigs

Why is that Doc? Higher velocity? Were you using jacketed or cast bullets?

Thanks, Dinny

[giddens1972]

If you have to modfify the ejector at all, I would suggest using a pair or vice-grips and a metal belt sander.  That's what I used when I had to trim my ejector for the 358 JDJ I had built last year.  Works great and you stand less of a chance at buggering it up like you can sometimes do with a dremel tool.

[gcrank1]

There sure isnt any give away on the 30-30 as a nostalgic cartridge; it has a long and successful history, even when the velo wasnt up to modern specs. I do like the old Krag round, and having it in a Krag is, for me, the right 'package', same as the 30-30 in a Win.'94.
You guys that shoot those pricey designer bullets with coats at high velocity are a passing fad.........iffn you'd shoot cast bullets the 30-30 has all the case capacity you need  .

[Dinny]

There sure isnt any give away on the 30-30 as a nostalgic cartridge; it has a long and successful history, even when the velo wasnt up to modern specs. I do like the old Krag round, and having it in a Krag is, for me, the right 'package', same as the 30-30 in a Win.'94.
You guys that shoot those pricey designer bullets with coats at high velocity are a passing fad.........iffn you'd shoot cast bullets the 30-30 has all the case capacity you need  .

About the only way my Krag will see a jacketed bullet is if I decide to try some 220gr RN bullets in it. Otherwise, with that long neck, it gets cast only. I look forward to trying some 165gr RD cast bullets in it.

Thanks, Dinny

[gcrank1]

Every cast bullet (proper dia. of course) Ive shot in the Krag has been pretty accurate, almost too easy to make a load. Basically its pick a velo within the alloy's ability and go shoot. Have to say the 30-30 and '06 have been the same, though. I find the 30s to be way easy to live with and I can use jacketed if I ever want/need to. As is, these rifles will last several lifetimes.
Given that you can hit 2000fps with a cast bullet in a 30-30 (and my loads are more like 1250-1450ish) the 'extra' case capacity of the 30-40 isnt needed, as cool and nostalgic as it is. I prefer to use a case with better load density characteristics, if possible, and cheap, readily available brass is a big plus nowdays too. In a solid platform, rather than the old leverguns, it can be 'enhanced', thus the AI's.
Teddy thought the 30-30 'a fine, smallbore express'; it still is  .

[Dinny]

I chose the Krag due to it's ability to shoot heavy cast bullets really well, but most importantly, because it goes great with the 45-70 I already own as a nostalgic military combo.

Many months ago I thought about doing a 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R switch barrel combo signifying my service in the Middel East, but I have too many bad memories associated with them. 

Thanks, Dinny

[gcrank1]

Have you ever tried the real heavies in the 30-30?

[Dinny]

Have you ever tried the real heavies in the 30-30?

I have shot the Hornady 220gr RN and 185gr cast in my 30-30 with TB powder.

Thanks, Dinny