30-30...To AI or Not to AI?

[pkie44]

Do it! That steep shoulder just looks cool!
My vote is to buck the 'stodgies' and go for the reamer.
I believe you will realize flatter trajectories when you push the envelope... maybe only a little, but isn't that worth trouble?

I agree, Wildcats based on 30-30 Brass is regularly loaded to 45,000 in the proper platform. Got a shoulder, might as well headspace off it!Attachment 102506

[nanuk]

AI have been proven again and again to deliver velocity gains inefficiently. We won't know about Leverevolution in an AI cartridge until someone does it. It remains my opinion that if you keep pressure within SAAMI max 42,000 psi, there will be unburned powder in typical 20" carbine barrels. The H&R barrel will allow you to significantly increase pressure safely (on an SB2 receiver) and is a 24" barrel as I recall.

to me AI is not about velocity gains, but in increased brass life.

also, I think SB2s come with 22" barrels. at least mine did

[dh2]

I have not worked with doing the AI thing on a rifle that was all ready built , never considered it worth the trouble and the 30/30 is not one I would consider, If I am going to ream a new barrel or short chambered that is on the lath any way I would ream it AI just because I had to get a reamer any way.

[RPRNY]

to me AI is not about velocity gains, but in increased brass life.

also, I think SB2s come with 22" barrels. at least mine did

Have you experienced short brass life in the 30-30? If so, why?

[FLHTC]

I never had an issue with 30-30 brass life and if I did, I'd just reach in the bucket for more. For the little advantage the AI cases provide, to me it's not worth the trouble of reaming. Ackley obviously had nothing better to do on the day he decided to reinvent the 30-30.

[seaboltm]

If I had a single shot 30-30 and I wanted more performance, 30-30 AI wouldn't be what I would do. Don't get me wrong, I love the Ackley concept and have 7x57 Ackley and 6.5x55 Ackley rifles. But they started life as Ackleys, neither was every a standard chamber rifle. If I wanted more out of the Handi, it would become a 30-40 Krag.

[RPRNY]

If I had a single shot 30-30 and I wanted more performance, 30-30 AI wouldn't be what I would do. Don't get me wrong, I love the Ackley concept and have 7x57 Ackley and 6.5x55 Ackley rifles. But they started life as Ackleys, neither was every a standard chamber rifle. If I wanted more out of the Handi, it would become a 30-40 Krag.

Wisdom.

[GoodOlBoy]

Folks I hate to bring religion into this debate, but I believe converting a 30-30 Winchester to ANYTHING else actually puts you in mortal sin territory.

GoodOlBoy

[nekshot]

for sure with all this wisdom abounding, if I had a reamer as the op states I WOULD ream a gun to get my opinion!!! If I had some extra bucks laying around I would do a few of mine.

[nanuk]

Save your money.

money is already spent... no?

[nanuk]

Folks I hate to bring religion into this debate, but I believe converting a 30-30 Winchester to ANYTHING else actually puts you in mortal sin territory.

GoodOlBoy

doesn't the Good Book also say, "Be Fruitful and Multiply"?

if so, you need to increase the fold by any and all means possible... and while doing that, you may as well add diversity

[35remington]

For cast bullet shooting.....I don't see shortening the case neck as an advantage.

[Screwbolts]

Did you get those chambers cut to AI, here is a link to a 14" barrel shooting the unspeakable in AI . http://forum.nosler.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=13210

PS: If I had the reamer bith my 325 and 840 would be AI'd

Ken