30-30ai build

[jp]

Guys, I had a 30-30ai in my lever action, loved it. I now am thinking about building another one but am not sure what would be a good choice. Bolt,single shot? who's action and why? chime in and let me know your choice if you will. I was thinking about a light weight hunting rifle. Like a model 7.

thx

 

[HillbillySniper]

Try a Rem 700 SA easily make it a repeater. Could buy all the parts or a parts rifle like a VS model with the HS stock on it for a light weight carry rifle. Components are easy to come buy and have many choices.


Hillbilly

 

[flatlander]

I saw a Rem M788 in 30-30 NIB at one of last winter's gunshows - am still kicking myself for letting it get away. That'd be my 1st choice - if you could find one.

 

[1000yardstare]

I have a 336 Marlin .30/30 XLR that I have been thinking of reaming out to Ack Imp. This post has me reading P.O. Ackley`s "Handbook" again. Page 412 for the .30/30 AI.

P.O. called the .30/30 AI a "surprising" cartridge. It can be loaded "hot" in lever actions because the straight walled case exerts little backthrust on the bolt face. On page 138 P.O states that in a Win M94 carbine reamed out to .30/30 AI you will blow a primer before having extraction problems.

OK, another Winter project is aborning.

 

[bigedp51]

Or just buy a Stevens 200 in .308 and have a rifle that's simpler, stronger and easer to clean. And if you reload 30-30 bullets in your .308 you will have a 30-30 magnum.
(minus the AI) ;D

Now which rifle would you want to be caught out in the rain with and have to get the "innards" dry, cleaned and oiled?

 

[jonbearman]

Why not an encore with the mgm barrel or eabco barrels and stratton customs is all about the encore.

 

[jonbearman]

The 788 is a nice rifle but they have an inherent problem with flexing under high pressure.I would go with something different in the singleshot world. Another one would be the ruger#1&#3.I have a name of a smith who specialize's in them.

 

[2506]

Contender or Encore. I have a 14" 30-30AI Shilen barrel made my MGM for my Contender pistol and it is a real shooter. With 33 grs IMR 4198, WW case and Wolf LR primer and a 125 Nosler ballistic tip will average 2670 fps and accuracy is outstanding and it is a deer hammer. Took 4 deer this season with it.

 

[45bpcr]

You can get this in 30-30. All you'll need is an MVA scope and mounts for optics.

 

[BoydAllen]

I have had several 788s , and I never had a problem with any of them. I think that the problems that were discussed were mostly the result of calculations rather than actual experience. If a cartridge does not give problems, loaded to the point of blowing a primer, in a lever action, I am sure that it would not have any problem in a 788. BTW, in addition to having more bedding area than a 700, they have a slightly faster lock time, and are about four times stiffer. Their only weakness is the lack of an aftermarket trigger that is in current production. I found lighter springs for mine, and did some judicious stoning. Somewhere I have directions for modifying the stock trigger.

 

[jp]

45bcpr, that is one fine looking piece of art, love to have one with the old 4x brass tube on it. And my 30-30ai was in a 336c, shot superb at 100yds 5 in a nickel not every time but most of the time if I did my job.

thx for all the input. I now have something to think about. I have a .308 in a heavy barrel excellent shooter, just wanted to revisit the ai..