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Post by leftysixgun on Jul 3, 2023 16:29:29 GMT -5
Ive recently become a fan of the 30-30AI, But mine is in a 14” Contender. I was VERY imparessed with 150gr Hornady SP bullets at lower 2400fps. I also wanted to see what it would do with some 110gr V-max and 110gr Sierra HP. The accuracy with the Hornadys was outstanding! And just shy of 2600fps! Im a 30-30AI fan! Hopefully this doesnt derail a rifle thread by me mentioning a single shot handgun, lol Does anyone know where a 30-30AI Contender rifle barrel is that wants a new home?
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Chip
.30 Stingray
Posts: 264
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Post by Chip on Jul 3, 2023 18:15:26 GMT -5
I've thought of improving mine.
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 3, 2023 18:24:10 GMT -5
Ive recently become a fan of the 30-30AI, But mine is in a 14” Contender. I was VERY imparessed with 150gr Hornady SP bullets at lower 2400fps. I also wanted to see what it would do with some 110gr V-max and 110gr Sierra HP. The accuracy with the Hornadys was outstanding! And just shy of 2600fps! Im a 30-30AI fan! Hopefully this doesnt derail a rifle thread by me mentioning a single shot handgun, lol Does anyone know where a 30-30AI Contender rifle barrel is that wants a new home? All info is good!!! Hijack Away... The 30-30 Ackley Improved is my favorite TC Contender Cartridge...
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 3, 2023 18:24:31 GMT -5
I've thought of improving mine. Yep, that's the gun...
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 3, 2023 19:01:51 GMT -5
Hodgdons Website provides some excellent data.
In a 24" Barrel, 30-30 WCF Data with Leverevolution Powder produces 2380+ fps with a 160 grn. When upped to a 170 grn, 2330+ fps is possible.
I believe an additional 150-200 fps will be fairly easy with the improved case, shallower seating Spitzer Bullets and the strong #1 Action.
It's my hope that I'll reach 2500 fps with the Hornady 165 grn SST. With it's very high BC, I believe it'll be good for anything I ever hunt in my area...
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Post by hounddogman on Jul 3, 2023 19:15:21 GMT -5
You are probably already aware of this but hornady has two different 150 grain sst bullets. One of them is designed for the 300 Savage and would be just about perfect.
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 3, 2023 19:28:37 GMT -5
There should be nearly an unlimited number of good bullets. Your suggestion certainly being one of them.
The SST for the 300 Savage has a shorter nose for the confines of the Savage 99 Magazine.
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Post by leftysixgun on Jul 4, 2023 7:22:31 GMT -5
Im not much for a stainless #1, but for some reason that one speaks to me!
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Post by leftysixgun on Jul 4, 2023 7:23:32 GMT -5
I will post more of my loads and development as I find the time. Im currently waiting for a Starline backorder. My next powder to try is R-17 with 150s
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Post by Lee Martin on Jul 4, 2023 7:40:42 GMT -5
You're right about .30-30 brass. It's plenty strong. I make my .375 Atomics on them and they've withstood many firings at high pressure. .375 Winchester hulls may be stronger, but I've never encountered problems with .375 Atomics or .375 SuperMags formed from .30-30. Keep us posted. -Lee www.singleactions.com "Chasing perfection five shots at a time"
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Post by leftysixgun on Jul 4, 2023 7:50:34 GMT -5
Im thinkin the brass is as strong as the chamber allows it, to an extent. As in a tight/close tolerance supports the brass better. As in not allowing to stretch or conform as much to a large chamber. This cant be an “over the top concept”. But I will say todays metallurgy is definitely better than when the 30-30 came to be.
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 4, 2023 8:13:49 GMT -5
The 30-30 WCF was originally chambered in the Winchester 94. An excellent rifle to this day, but an action that springs when fired. It's simply the result of the far rear single locking lug.
So, even when chambered with proper headspace, the 30-30 stretches every time it's fired. This usually occurs just forward of the web. Therefore, case separations are sometimes experienced after multiple reloadings. This was made worse with the gentle taper and shoulder of the 30-30.
It's unfortunate that this was incorrectly blamed on weak cases.
There were also manufacturers of Proprietary TC Cartridges that copied P.O. Ackley's designs on very similar cases and blamed the "weak" 30-30 Case to avoid being accused of copying Ackley's Work.
25+ years ago, I had VVCG build me a 25-35 Ackley TC Contender. I've loaded some cases quite hot and gotten 14+ loadings from them.
The 303 British suffered this same reputation from the old rear locking lug Enfields. But, Ackley proved it could hold 06 Pressures just fine in a strong action such as a High Wall, Ruger #1, etc.
Just another lesson that things aren't always what they appear to be...
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Post by williamiorg on Jul 6, 2023 12:34:47 GMT -5
I have shot the 30-30AI as much as anyone in the 20" leverguns. My velocity goals were: 3,000fps 100/110 grain bullets. 2,700fps 125/130 grain bullets. 2,500fps 150 grain bullets. 2,300 fps 170 grain bullets.
All velocities easily achieved with appropriate powders and easily exceeded with some. I would have suggested a good test with the standard chamber prior to reaming to the Improved chamber. Hodgdon 4895 is an excellent baseline powder for the 150- and 170-grain bullets. In the 20" barrel carbines you could start and stop your powder search there.
Baseline bullets are the Speer Hot Core 130- 150- and 170-grain bullets. Bring the 170-grain Speer up to 2,350fps and you have a deer and smaller pig load that is hard to beat. The 130-grain Speer bullet will impress you with its terminal performance.
Suggestions: Use only new brass to form cases. Use a heavy case mouth chamfer. This is important as you start out with the cartridge as it is easy to just start to collapse the shoulder in bullet seating when the loads approach 100% density and with mild compression .
Chamber all hunting ammunition before you leave the house. The case will set the shoulder back very slightly and bulge the case just below the point of the shoulder. It is hard to see but will prevent free chambering of the cartridge.
A Lee Factory crimp die is an advantage. I crimp all cases in a seperate step.
If I were starting out fresh I would chamber the rifle to the .308 Marlin Express. Hornady puts out some very accurate factory ammunition. The .308 ME is an easier case. To work with and can be made easily from .444 Marlin cases.
Extruded powders are very predictable pressure wise. Establise some velocity goals prior to your start then work toward your goals with extruded powder. Winchester 748/Hodgdon Blc2 and Lever powder can give you some surprises pressure wise as you approach your highest pressure loads. With a Ruger No. 1 you will not encounter lever kick or sticky extration as early warning signs.
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Post by williamiorg on Jul 6, 2023 12:45:02 GMT -5
I remembered you have experience with the .25-35AI and upderstand bullet seating issues with the thin case. I also intended to say that compressed charges are best crimped but you have been there with the. 25-35AI. Sure helps to even out extreme spreads when to COL stays the same
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 6, 2023 17:41:09 GMT -5
This is my fourth endeavor with the 30-30 Ackley Improved.
I have two Contender Barrels, a 14" Pistol and 24" Carbine. Also, a Henry Single Shot that Jack rechambered and remarked the caliber.
I fireform with cast bullets and Unique Powder. Never lost a case while fireforming.
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