Custom .30 BR for UK Hunting - Advice Sought

[tatraben]

Dear Forum,

This is my first post, and like many, I was drawn to this site in search for advice and help.

I am best described as a UK Hunter/Deerstalker that also likes to 'target shoot' with my hunting rifles,.222 through to .30-06). I have been handloading for many years, and now feel the urge to have a custom stalking rifle put together for a particular purpose. I am seriously considering the .30BR as I need a highly accurate, relatively quiet, moderate velocity rifle that will still deliver decent energy out to 300yds. It will have to be short overall,max 18-20 inch barrel) as I still want it to be manageable with a moderator fitted. Weight needs to be kept to a minimum as it will be carried for long periods.

The main area I require help with is the barrel twist and length. I envisage that I will be mostly using bullets weighing 125grs to 150grs - but perhaps would like to experiment with heavier bullets at subsonic levels. Twists such as 1:17 and 1:18 are mentioned on this site for lighter target bullet weights,118grs etc), but is there a twist that would cope with my more general usage? Also, do I need to consider barrel twist when having a shorter 18-20 inch barrel with a .30BR?

Action wise I am considering a Surgeon Short repeater action,or similar Rem 700 footprint action) - what magazine feed system will work best with .30BR or do I need to consider this at all?

Sorry for the long post but I feel it is best to outline all my requirements to get the best guidence. Thanks in advance, Ben

 

[p17enfeild]

have you throught of a 6.5X47 lapua, it feed better in repaeter can use 105gr to 160 gr bullet, and dose not need any case froming, case froming and triming neck truning take lot of time


there are number of good round that will do what you want,besides from the sudsoinic loads which require a slow twist for the long 220 or 240gr bullet in 30.br look at true flight barrel web site they have good info in the sub soinic barrle requirements,

 

[tatraben]

Hi guys - thanks for the messages. Yes, I have considered the 6.5x47 Lapua however felt that the .30 br may deliver more energy at deer stalking ranges,100 - 250m). I do agree that it would involve less case prep and 6.5 bullets would perhaps allow better performance at longer shooting ranges.

How would a 6.5x47 Lapua fair in a shorter barrel length i.e. 18-20 inches?

Help appreciated, Ben

 

[p17enfeild]

the only down range advatage to the 30.br is that it cuts a wider wound track, so more meet loss maybe an maybe more bleeding out, the ballistics volocity and enrey are verey close together and 18 - 20 '' barrle usely loss 250fps ish over 24''

let me know how it works out if you go with the 30.br, do like the wider bullets for game i currently use a 30-06 ackly with 220gr for most of my game shooting volocity is 2500fps and meet damage is minimal evan on smaller deer

 

[Spook]

tatraben, my work with the 30 br and subsonics did not go well. the case is just "too big" enough to give consistently wide ES's.
The 300 whisper does the spread between the high / low velocity and light/heavy bullets much more efficiently while maintaining decent accuracy. others milage will likely vary.

 

[jthyttin]

30cal subsonics: 1-8" twist is needed for 240gr bullets. 1-10" twist, which is more readily available, is good up to 200-220gr or something. 1-12" twist is slowest I'd consider for the gun, and can handle 165-180gr class bullets. All those are subject to bullet shape,round nose being more forgiving than hollow point match).

Just go for 10" or 12", use e.g. Nosler 125gr BT for full power lung/neck shots,velocity-wise you're maybe 15% behind 308) and if shoulder shots are desirable maybe some monolithic bullet like Barnes or GS Custom in low-for-caliber weight,125-140gr) does OK.

I don't recommend subsonic on game, unless you like tracking. Do test thoroughly on some suitable media,wet phonebooks etc.) before hunting. There's usually enough penetration but no expansion,flat nose and tumbling bullets create best wound characteristics).

There may be some legal restrictions, like here in Finland you must satisfy certain requirements for kinetic energy based on animal you hunt,which is difficult with subsonics).

 

[expiper]

There is another cal. that will do all the things you want...the .243...lots of bullets available,,accurate,enuff power for deer etc,mild recoil....very easy solution...Roger

 

[tiny68]

I have a 1:16 twist 30BR barrel that I purchased for one my Savages. I have shoot 125 and 135 Bergers in the gun for BR and learning accuracy. I purchased this as a 26" barrel with a brake on it. I had it chopped off and re-crowned to a 22" barrel. I have also tested the 150 gr Sierra MatchKings. They shot wonderful. I used H4198 which was probably not idea for the heavier bullet but I could drive to them to 2750 fps with less than 30.0 gr of powder! The Sierra manual list the 168 SMK at over 2600 fps!!! This is a very efficient little cartridge and it has its advantages. But... I have only operated it wide open,upper end of the pressure range). Quiet is it not! In fact is one of the loudest guns I shoot. I think it has to do with the pressure. You have to be willing to do brass preparation. Even if you chose a larger neck size,0.333 or 0.334) you still will have to clean up the donut that it created from expanding the 6BR cases with a neck turner. I love this chambering and know own 3 different 30BR barrels, but they aren't a great do it all round in my opinion. I just don't think you can have it both ways. A 1:16 twist will work for the 125-150s but it has not chance of stabilizing the 240s. A 1:8 twist is going to way over spin the 125-150s. Luck in your choice, tiny

 

[tatraben]

Thanks for the advice guys - very interesting and I am taking it all in. To clarify, I would not be using subsonic handloads on deer as it would not deliver the legal muzzle energy - I wanted to try it more for testing/experimentation sake and the shooting of vermin where noise is a consideration.

The relatively loud noise of the .30 BR does surprise me - is it as loud as say a .243/.308 sized cartridge etc?

I am getting more interested in the suggestion above of the 6.5x47 Lapua. I checked out the typical velocities/energy it delivers and they look very suitable for our smaller deer species at short to medium range.

Can anyone foresee any real problems of a short 20 inch sporter type barrel in 6.5x47 Lapua? Thanks, Ben

 

[65BR]

Energy with 6.5x47? Deer? Piece of cake.

A guy posted an elk kill, ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK, a large animal, taken over 500 yds with a 6.5 Creedmoor, which has about identical performance, very small difference.

I shot my furthest deer at 400 yds with a 6mmBR.

You will have no shortage of energy. If you want a 'big bullet' there is a 338 BR.

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/rifles/113451/338_BR_calibre_review.html

 

[h]

Hi if you live in the u.k. and would like to try a 30br i have one, i shoot deer with 130g barns it has a 20" 1/15 barrel with a mod fitted on a Remington 700 and its very very quiet,you can see the reaction to shot with a 30br, having shot it for a year at deer,fox,and target the field test has been done.

p.s.I have 308 that now never gets used

 

[tatraben]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I am in the UK midlands - where abouts' are you? - perhaps you may wish to reply privately and we can discuss further the merits of .30br. Thanks

 

[h]

Hi yes please e-mail, birdee56@tiscali.co.uk ) me and i will send you a phone Number
p.s. I live in Suffolk

 

[h]

hi sorry had get a new e-mail address paulhill@btinternet.com

 

[Ogre6br]

my cousin used mine last weekend and dropped nice sized hog,55-65 kgs) and a good roasting goat

used a 130 grain speer HP and they fell over really well

the goat tasted great also

P