.30-30 Ack Imp vs. .30 BR

[2644ever]

A friend of mine is currently working on his next .30 rifle for mid range shooting. He used to shoot a .30 BR but was disappointed by the cost of the brass and problems with small primers consistency from lot to lot. So he decided that switching to the .30 WCF Ackley Improved would be the way to go as the brass is a lot cheaper and quite available and the performance should be about the same. I'm a little concerned though. Will the brass,he wants to use 7-30 Waters cases) withstand the pressure? I may be mistaken but I just don't believe in anything magical with the Ackley configuration regarding pressure handling.

 

[Cheechako]

2644

There is nothing wrong with 30-30 brass. The 30-30 itself, and many, many wildcats made from it have been chambered in bolt action rifles for years. It's the strength of the action that limits how hot you can load it.

And don't let anyone tell you that the case is not good for accuracy cartridges. Several Benchrest shooters will attest otherwise.

Ray

 

[Preacher]

I know for a fact that the 30/30 Ackley is a heck of a deer cartridge, but doubt it will outshoot a 30br at 300 yards..
The rimmed case is not optimal for a bolt action, but works OK.. and will withstand all the pressure with no problems.....

 

[Cheechako]

. . . but doubt it will outshoot a 30br at 300 yards.. .

Don't tell that to the Benchrest shooters who are using the 30 Aardvark. It uses a small primer, BTW.

Ray

 

[2644ever]

Thank you gentlemen for this useful output. Well, just out of curiosity, where do they get the 30-30 brass with small primer pockets? Is it the brass made by Fed for PS Mag in the 90's? Or do they use these tiny SS bushings that seem to have gone to oblivion?

 

[Cheechako]

It's the Federal 30 American brass. A box will show up for sale now and then. I bought two just recently. 20 cases will last a year or more.

But, some guys will use regular 30-30, sorted of course. Harold Broughton, who designed the case, used Winchester brass and shot the Aardvark for a while in a rail gun. It will shoot.

Ray

 

[Eddie Harren]

Most of the guys, who have had me chamber rifles in the 30 Aardvark, also have me turn brass heads to fit either a 308 or PPC bolt face. That case really does shoot and the brass does last a long time.

 

[rstreich]

Ray, wasn't there just a thread over on BRC about someone shooting a straight 30-30 case and having excellent results with it?

robert

 

[Cheechako]

Robert

Yeah, you're right. I remember that now. Not very long ago so it should be easy to find.

Ra

 

[2644ever]

Well, it works fine... The guy fitted a 27' 3-groove Pac Nor on a single shot Savage and turned the case rims so they would fit the bolt face. Shooting moly plated 168's with 38 grains of N150 he obtains 2600 fps with outstanding accuracy at 300 meters, as good as his best .308 Win barrel by same maker. I'm impressed.

 

[AlNyhus]

Yeah, you're right. I remember that now. Not very long ago so it should be easy to find. Ray

Ray, that would be Michael Turner. -Al