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Does any one have have any thought about a No4 in 30.30.
I know it has been done by some as a DIY job, and pros have done
the convertion as well,
Nolasco in france who done many to 30.30 and 303 sporting,
I know feeding from the mag could be a problen,
but as the convertion is used for hunting, they must have been able to sort the feed.
That would be the biggest thing I think. I thought many times of doing a #4 or even a #1 up in 30-30. The forward lips are way out and would need sorting. The rim is smaller too...I wonder if you used a block at the rear to sit the cartridge forward, you'd need to alter the rear lips. Then the feed might be better, you can use pointed bullets too. I think it would be great.
My friend has an 30/30 AI in his Swede 1906 and it runs quite well it is on a low powered license as that is a 30/30 classification in this state, it is really great to shoot just some fire forming and then away you go it shoots really well and is quite a bit better than the standard 30/30 L/A as you have a bolt gun & magazine fed not tube so can use the 30 cal spitzers etc.
One chap over east has done a 444 Marlin No.4 he can have it I owned a Marlin 444 336 micro groove and it just booted you from here to timbucktoo not much fun.
In fact I would rather put 5 rounds out of my mates 460WM than 5 like I used to reload for my 444 Marlin using IMR 4227 Hornady 240gn HP @2400fps:eek:
There have been articles in several "gun mags" about doing this very thing.
Obviously, you are up for a new barrel, pretty much any way you fly.
7x 57 Rimmed is another one that springs to mind. Is it likely to cause conniptions with the "authorities"? Widely used in Early 20th Century Lee Enfield sporters, as well as the usual doubles and Drillings etc.
Here in Oz we had some funny rules about "military calibres" in some states. One answer was to set the standard .303 barrel back a couple of threads and call the resultant creation; 7.7 x 54 or some-such. A modified set of dies and off you went. Worked OK in the standard mag (most of the time). Lots of other Canadian, (Epps), and Australian-developed .303-based wildcats; from .224 to .358. I still use a 1950's-vintage .25-.303, Oz-built wildcat for general field shooting, just because I have it and it is VERY accurate and gentle on the shoulder. Simplex here in Oz still sell 7/8" x 14 dies for it.
How hard would it be to do a 7mm; (.284" / .303)? Lots of nice bullets available in that diameter. Custom loading dies might be a bit of a decider, there.
Moving up, a little; how about the 9.3 x 54R, based on the ancient Russian 7.62 x 54R, packs a LOT of wallop, and widely used in Russia and, to some extent, Finland..
Is the well and truly "obsolete" 6.5 x 53R (Dutch / Romanian), off the menu? It is a superb rimmed cartridge, essentially duplicating its close cousin, the famous, (but rimless), 6.5 x 54 MS. and the rim diameter is VERY close to the .303 size.
.30-40 Ackley Krag could also bear a look.
If redoing a barrel and making it a .30 cal, why not just .30-303? Then the cartridges stay the same and the bullets are now available...sighting and trajectories would be about the same too.
I have a LongBranch in 6.5 X57R, great to shoot, I make the cases from 8X57JRS, 7X57R and 303.
my others an in 303S. it shoots as well as 303B and is a little softer on the cases, as yet no base split problems. I have a very good supply of new 7X57R cases, thet are expensive here in France and the 6.5X57R is even more expensive.
I like the 30.30 round, I shoot a 94 and is a great round for the sise of rifle. It is easy to keep a good group.
I reload with 30M1 round nose with a light copper wash so are quit light.
I am trying to get a complete No 4 Savage action at the moment,
So I will have an open book to choose from regarding what case to use.
I might go for a .222 rem.
That might present a whole different set of problems. Feed will be a different device. Extraction and ejection will be different.Quote:
Originally Posted by read6737
the parts to convert the bolt to .223 are able to be purchased as a kit,
the same company will provide the mag convertion as well.
Go for .30M1 Carbine, just recycle an old target barrel........ or as Jim says a .30-303,
If your looking for light load etc, download 7.62/ .308 case with a RN .30 M1 carbine bullet with 14 Grns of unique.......
interesting ideas,
but do not want a 308 or a 30m1 as they are rounds I do not shoot, I have too many other
calibers in my colection, so would like something I already reload.
One solution to getting the .30-30 to feed would be to track down original or after-market magazines for either the Remington 788 or Savage 340 in that calibre. These only hold four or so rounds.
You could then either mount these inside the case of the .303 magazine or, if you are handy with machine tools, make up a "filler" block for the magazine well, from aluminium and cut its internals to hold the .30-30 mag. I suggest starting with "Plan A".
Maybe you could find some "tired" No4 mags with damaged / cracked lips for such a project.
Another alternative is to use a .303 mag body and insert a "short" liner at the rear. The best example I could recommend is the detachable magazines for the Sako 75. The one for 6mm PPC is VERY clever.
See also the magazine for the Stevens 325.
A "gun spare parts" company called "Wisners" purchased all of the tooling for the early Stevens / Savage magazines, and are making them again.(along with a LOT of other goodies).
See here: Savage 340 Bolt-Action | Wisners Inc