Author Topic: 30-30AI (Read 1273 times)

jparedes · « **on:** January 31, 2013, 09:47:26 AM »

I reamed my brand new 30-30 HR to 30-30AI today. Am I now blessed or doomed by having done that?
This weekend I will be going to the range and will be shooting some factory 30-30 to get them fire formed and thus, start developing its hand loads.
Any advice folks?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2013, 10:02:42 AM »

One issue I had firing factory Rems was 3 out of 5 split cases, velocity was about 300fps slower in the larger chamber too. I didn't have any problems with the handloads tho. I've asked others about the splitting problem in the TC and wildcat forums, some said they had no problems, others said it was common, so don't be surprised if you loose a few, it prolly just depends on the existing chamber dimensions and maybe brass mfr. All of my handloads were done with fire formed 375 Win brass and run up to a Quickload predicted 60kpsi(52kcup) same as the 375 Win.

Tim

RPRNY · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2013, 11:08:09 AM »

This is interesting. There's not a huge capacity gain with AI in the 30-30, so I am intrigued to see what you are getting in terms of improved velocity. My guesstimate is that AI with traditional powders and bullets will be about where Leverevolution factory ammo takes the 30-30. So, that begs the question as to where Leverevolution powder and the 160 gr FTX will take the 30-30 AI!!! My guesstimate is that you may get into .308 territory, maybe 2600 fps ? Sure would stretch a 30-30 out.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2013, 11:27:25 AM »

I only used H322 which provided almost 2900fps and super good accuracy with the 125gr Sierra PH SPT. Quickload doesn't list LVR, so you're on your own.

Tim

Ranch13 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2013, 11:34:33 AM »

I like the 30-30 ai, and if I were to ever do another one, I would first work up loads in the gun with powders in the rl15/4064 family with the 150 and 170 gr bullets. Then after the chamber reaming you have someplace to work from and when you hit 2 grs more powder or about 150 fps +- over what you had before you'ld be in the right spot.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2013, 01:45:18 PM »

Doomed

, life will never be the same.......
Get new brass and anneal it before fire-forming to avoid the splits.

RPRNY · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2013, 02:43:31 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on January 31, 2013, 11:27:25 AM

I only used H322 which provided almost 2900fps and super good accuracy with the 125gr Sierra PH SPT. Quickload doesn't list LVR, so you're on your own.

Tim

Most excellent. 30-30 AI could be the new varmint round of choice!!!

44 Man · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2013, 04:39:51 PM »

As someone who has waffled back and forth whether to do an AI or not, one thing has pushed me that way; less bolt face thrust. Knowing that my old 158 is a cast iron receiver (I think. Quick will have to verify that for me), going to an AI will keep this gun shooting basically forever without loosing my nice lockup. The only thing I'm waiting for is to see how well my 'other' 30-30 shoots (Savage 219) when I get my hands on it in a couple of months before I touch my excellent shooting Topper. I know, doing an AI should not affect the accuracy of my Topper, but it has held me back as mine shoots well under an inch and I don't want to lose that under any circumstances! Keep the info coming! 44 Man

hoytcanon · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2013, 06:22:06 PM »

Every time I think about doing it (again) I remind myself that I have 7mm-08 (w/120 NBT's) AND .308 (w/150 NBT's)...

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2013, 03:03:32 PM »

Quote from: hoytcanon on January 31, 2013, 06:22:06 PM

...I remind myself that I have 7mm-08 (w/120 NBT's) AND .308 (w/150 NBT's)...

but where's the fun in that?

hoytcanon · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2013, 01:11:00 PM »

Quote from: nanuk-O-dah-Nort on February 01, 2013, 03:03:32 PM

Quote from: hoytcanon on January 31, 2013, 06:22:06 PM
...I remind myself that I have 7mm-08 (w/120 NBT's) AND .308 (w/150 NBT's)...

but where's the fun in that?

When I squeeze the triggers they both go bang... just like the .30/30 AI should.... thats fun.

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2013, 06:28:44 PM »

Guy Pike · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2013, 04:13:43 PM »

Well, the Ackley should allow you to headspace on the shoulder instead of the rim. this can sometimes improve accuracy.

jparedes · « **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2013, 11:15:01 AM »

I went to the range on Saturday and fire-formed 44 cases. I didn't get a single split.
BTW, it made about 4" groups at 100 yrds.

Now comes the load development and I was only able to get Nosler 150 gr BT. I was looking for the 125 gr, but it seems they have disappeared from the market.

Any powder experience with the 150 grainers?

Ranch13 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2013, 11:19:43 AM »

Rl15,748, Ramshot Biggame, and H414. Take your pick they'll all work.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2013, 11:27:55 AM »

Here's one of my 100yd fire form groups with "free" 150gr Hornady SPs. The only other 150gr loads I've shot other than factory were in the 30-30 with Nosler Partition molys, none were impressive @ 1½".

Tim

jparedes · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2013, 01:31:26 PM »

Got a set of Lee 30-30AI dies and today I was supposed to do my first set of handloads, and after careful and repeated measurments of the sitting depth in the chamber, U moved to the loading bench to dial in the full length die to do only the neck, but it felt strange that the fire formed shell wouldn't go easy into the die, so I lubed the shell well and proceeded to do a full sizing on it, and there is where a surprise was revealed: The shell came out as a regular 30-30 shell. Somehow the supplier put the wrong die inside the box labeled 30-30 Ackley. What a dissapointment!

Ranch13 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2013, 01:51:27 PM »

What does the stamp on the die say?

jparedes · « **Reply #18 on:** February 09, 2013, 03:58:23 PM »

30/30-H2

Ranch13 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2013, 04:16:21 PM »

Well sounds like you got some phone calls to make and somebody's got some Splanin to do. $:-\$

squirrelslayer · « **Reply #20 on:** February 09, 2013, 08:30:03 PM »

Could the ole cream of wheat method cut down on the case damage when fire forming? If you don't have any cases I'm sure you could find someone with a .30-.30 that could fix that for ya! I guess you had plenty of luck though

rdlange · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2013, 07:21:59 AM »

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ZERMEL/handifireform.html

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2013, 04:23:14 PM »

Thanks for the Angelfire link. I never heard the tip about lubing the case before fireformimg.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:08:32 PM »

It worked well fire forming for the 280 Improve Ultra, I greased em up with BoreButter, smelled good too!!

Tim

hoytcanon · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:27:24 PM »

Aerosol case lube has worked well for us... heck of alot quicker and less mess.