Single-shot 30-30s the rage

[blixen]

I've been hankering for a 30-30 single shot for cast shooting and learned they are in hot demand—not only are they selling quick, but I've seen two "Want to Buy" ads for them locally. One guy is offering to buy any and all 30-30 NEFs he can find in decent shape. Of course, it could be just a fluke around these parts.

It's kind of a bummer for me because when I came across an early Savage 219 30-30 in sad shape (cracked stock, pitting) that I was considering -- it sold before I could get back to the seller.

The hunt goes on, but I think 30-30 single shots have escalated past my price range.

Don't cry for me, though. I've got a old Win. 94, Marlin 336 and a Sav. 340 (Stevens 325) that I really only shoot as a single shot--guess They should give me all the 30-30 fun I can stand.

[brotherdarrell]

[smilie=1:

94785

:kidding:

[Char-Gar]

I was taught to consider all rifles regardless of action type to be single shot rifles. The magazine is just a convenient place to carry a few spare rounds.

[tacklebury]

I had my .30-30 reamed to 30-40 Krag. Much better load capability and nice cast boolit friendly neck. ;)

[357maximum]

My Wife has a gorgeous pre 73 light/scalloped frame H&R topper 158 in 30/30 &20ga...it is saweet and I shoot it alot.

There was a combo just like it on GunBroker awhile back....I was shocked at what it went for....good luck.

[JeffinNZ]

I love my Husqvarna M35.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/huskyhare2_zpsd67b4e21.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JeffinNZ/media/Shooting%20stuff/huskyhare2_zpsd67b4e21.jpg.html)

[jmort]

Get a used Handi Rifle and send it in for .30-30 barrel. Cost $100.00 plus shipping.

[richhodg66]

I love my Husqvarna M35.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/huskyhare2_zpsd67b4e21.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JeffinNZ/media/Shooting%20stuff/huskyhare2_zpsd67b4e21.jpg.html)

That's a really cool rifle.

I have two older H&Rs, small frame with 20 gauge barrels. Not letting either go.

[winchester 71]

Take a look at the contender with a carbine barrel in 30-30..........I got a stainless receiver and
a stainless bbl in 30-30 and a 22RF bbl and put a old Zeiss 4X on it and it really shoots great..........round balls,lee 150 flat nose,ranchdog 170's and kind of put the rimfire barrel in the safe.................these barrels are around at gun show as with full house 30-30 loads they do kick but with cast bullets even at 30-30 speeds it just shoots.............

[Lead Fred]

Tho I use a 1949 winnie 94 for all my cast throwing, If a handi in 30WCF comes along, It will end up in my safe
Shot some of my Ranch Dog 170's threw my bud's Handi, flew real nice considering the were made for the lever

[Reg]

94837

Still working on this 30-30. Idea came from Frank de Haas in one of his many books about the possibility of a 30-30 used more for target use than for field or hunting.
Jury still out but the possibilities are there.
Old Navy Arms action from the late 60's, early 70's, California claro from Ray Reichter in his Fort Garland days. Barrel is interesting. It is a Numrich. Pro's and cons on these barrels. If you got a good one it was actually a good to great barrel. If it wasn't a good one -- it wasn't too hot. Saw one one time where the refiling actually was in only half the barrel and it didn't follow the spin of the refiling. How in the heck could they have done that ???????
1 1/4" or so at 100 yds so far but if we can ever get out of this deep freeze I think it will do a lot better. I just have to quit shivering is all.

[gewehrfreund]

That's one nice 30-30! I have a Browning 78 in 30-30 with a heavy octagon barrel that I just don't take enough time to shoot much, and also a newer Highwall Traditional Hunter in 30-30 that I have hopes of shooting a lot more when the sun gets higher in the northern sky.

[dale2242]

My single shot 30-30 is a 14" Tender .
I bought it expressly to shoot cast.
I love it.
It sports a 4x Leupold scope.....dale

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

Out to 200yds, I don't believe you can go wrong with a 30-30...

[GOPHER SLAYER]

JeffinNZ, I don't know what kind of rabbit that is but it looks big enough to carry a saddle.

[JeffinNZ]

JeffinNZ, I don't know what kind of rabbit that is but it looks big enough to carry a saddle.

That, my friend, is a European Hare; meat is like venison. Pretty average size. They can get bigger. I perfer not to use .22RF on them.

[richhodg66]

I wish we had those here.

[bruce drake]

94982
Jeff,

Be careful! I hear your local Hare Force are preparing to deploy their dreaded Hover Hare Squadrons to take you out due to your depredations on the local Hare towns...

[crazy mark]

To think I gave my granddaughter a 30-30 handi for her 25th Birthday in 2013. She really likes it. I could have made money off it but it is better to give. I paid $75 for it about 7 years ago.

[JeffinNZ]

94982
Jeff,

Be careful! I hear your local Hare Force are preparing to deploy their dreaded Hover Hare Squadrons to take you out due to your depredations on the local Hare towns...

That's what the second, taller leaf sight is for. Hovering game.

[bruce drake]

Man! You Kiwis think of everything! Next thing I'll be seeing you shooting Purple PC Bullets against Shep Wooley's Flying Purple People Eaters...

[Freightman]

I wish we had those here.
No you don't, we have Jack's that big and enough of them can ruin a pasture or orchard or anything they can chew.

[bruce drake]

But Jacks don't taste as well as Hares. I love Snowshoe Hares and prefer them over Cottontails and Jacks for wild rabbits. The best tasting rabbit I ever had was a farm-bred Belgian Hare Rabbit. Its a rabbit that looks like a hare. Its fallen in popularity from what I've been told but some farmer still prefer to raise them.

Bruce

[crow531]

Just a personal opinion, I'd contact gewehrfreund about the 219. I have both an older 219 and a H&R. For me the 219 is more graceful and seems to handle better. If you can't find a 219 a H&R will work very well.

[Tackleberry41]

I traded my old glenfield lever gun for a Stevens 325 not long ago. Store bought ammo will run thru the mag. But any pointed bullets I use make it a single shot.

[Jack Stanley]

Finally found a 219 I thought was worth the money , it does have a small crack at the tang . I do think It is easily fixable with accraglass though , barrel and crown look good . I'll do the cleanup and repairs then see how it shoots or even if my old eyes will get along with the sights . Here's hoping the chamber is better than the old H&R I had a long time ago .

Jack

[geargnasher]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24079&d=1280378396

Great old guns, particularly if you have the combo barrel. This one came with a 16-gauge.

Gear

[olafhardt]

I have a Handi in 30/31. I load the Hornady catalog number 3031 150 grain Interlock on top of 31 grains of IMR 3031. Yes it is a pointed bullet with a condom and it is to long to feed through repeating actions. I selected these components because they come in red boxes.

[cheetah]

My wife would get pissed if I started using the bathroom door like that.

[358wcf]

Two single shot 30-30s in my gunroom-
1- Martini Cadet with military 2 groove barrel- 20" in 30wcf- a rather large cartridge for the Cadet action- I shoot only cast boolits in it, and it does VERY well both plinking and small game- this rifle gets a lot of use- Redfield 75 receiver sight on the left side of the action.
2- Treated myself to an early retirement gift last summer- new CPA 44 1/2 Stevens with 28" #2 weight barrel in 30-30, MVA sights- extremely fine walnut on her- a beauty in every way-- I've yet to get her out to the alfalfa fields for squirrels, but she'll be going along in April for sure!

Also, picked up one of those Russian single shot (break open) carbines in 7.62x39- ok as is, but it will do even better when rechambered for 30-30---

358wcf [smilie=1:[smilie=1:[smilie=1:

[Jack Stanley]

Nice group Gear !! I hope mine does that well after I get all the kinks worked out of it . Currently glassing wood strips to tighten up the buttstock .

I don't think I'll be using the doors in the house for a target backer .

Jack

[nanuk]

I have a Handi in 30/31. I load the Hornady catalog number 3031 150 grain Interlock on top of 31 grains of IMR 3031. Yes it is a pointed bullet with a condom and it is to long to feed through repeating actions. I selected these components because they come in red boxes.


carefull, you'll get the "Lever Police" after you for using a pointy jword in a 30-30....

condemnation before they even know what rifle you are using....

ask me how I know

[Rustyleee]

My wife would get pissed if I started using the bathroom door like that.


That's one of the great things about cast bullets in a .30-30 single shot. You can punch holes in the paper and not bother the door behind it. I have an H&R in .30-30. It was the first Handi rifle I bought. After that I caught the illness and they started to multiply.

[geargnasher]

I made that door out of rough-sawn pecan lumber, boolits just bounce off of it.

Gear

[blixen]

What are the triggers like on the savage 219? Tuning options?

[Old Dawg]

Jack Rabbits are hares.

[Hammerhead]

Plenty of used ones on the auction sights.
My older ejector model Handi 30-30 has a short leade so boolits can be nuzzled up to the rifling. My best loads engrave the bullets a little. The accuracy puts my lever guns to shame with both boolits and factory J ammo.

[dubber123]

What are the triggers like on the savage 219? Tuning options?

The trigger on mine was awful. Heavy, gritty, and inconsistent. I pulled it apart, and found the sear arrangement had a ton of lateral movement on the pivot pin. I made up some washers to keep the sear in one place, and reduced/stoned the engagement. It was approximately 10# to start, and it went to 4# and crisp on the first try. I was too lazy to go back and fiddle any more, and it was such a major improvement I left it alone.

[blixen]

Thanks.

[Lawnjockey]

I have a Browning 85 that was a 22-250 but I had Taylor rebarrel it to 30-30. I haven't shot it much because I am laying low in Callifornia. If you are a gun owner here you are considered lower than a child molester, if you molest a child of the same sex you are a hero. Talk about an upside down world. Back to the gun, I am planning on sending the trigger to Lee Shaver in the very near future. Also I am toying with the idea of selling or trading it because I have the itch for a Sharps.

[Nicholas]

Re Handi Rifle fitted factory bbls, you might want to check their site for current bbl price and fitting and shipping charges. I think it will be more than $100, but still a way to get what you want.

[Nicholas]

The 14 inch Contender bbl is a fine single shot pistol as an alternative to a rifle. Mine is topped with a Nikon 2x and did in a small deer this season. It is easy to handle off a rest and carries nicely in a bandolier holster.

[FLHTC]

The 219's are still found at decent prices. I found one last summer for $150 and now have three and a 220L that wears a 30-30 barrel too. Living in one of the original colonies has it's perks when it comes to finding old guns.

[Fishman]

The 14 inch Contender bbl is a fine single shot pistol as an alternative to a rifle. Mine is topped with a Nikon 2x and did in a small deer this season. It is easy to handle off a rest and carries nicely in a bandolier holster.

No kidding. I've shot the gun in question and the first 3 shot group required me to shoot it again because there was only one hole in the target! The next group was under 1/4"! This was at 50 yards but it does show what careful hand loading and a good barrel can do.

BTW Hi Dad :) Welcome to the site! :) :)

[RedRabbit]

I have a old H&R MODEL 058 Topper Md158,it came as a combo 30-30 and 20 gauge, made a full length mannlicher stock,a 4x12 Bushnell scope. Its only a 22" barrell,but its a great deer gun.I've been using Nosler 150gr Ballistic tip boolits in front of 28 grains of 3031 powder. Wish I could post a picture ( haven't figured that out yet ),Its my real baby.

[geargnasher]

I have a old H&R MODEL 058 Topper Md158,it came as a combo 30-30 and 20 gauge, made a full length mannlicher stock,a 4x12 Bushnell scope. Its only a 22" barrell,but its a great deer gun.I've been using Nosler 150gr Ballistic tip boolits in front of 28 grains of 3031 powder. Wish I could post a picture ( haven't figured that out yet ),Its my real baby.

I wish you could too, that sounds like a great concept. I might just steal the Mannlicher/break-action idea!

Gear

[358wcf]

I, too, have a fondness for full-stocked carbines--
Saw and fondled a model 58 Topper in 30-30 years ago, but didn't have the cash on hand- when I did, it was gone-
Try going to Gunstocksinc.com Under the NEF/Handi chapter, they list inletted mannlicher forends in stock- Clear walnut for only $45- they offer laminates as well on special order--
Looks like a simple solution- might buy 2 so I have one on hand for future use as well-
Just sayin'

358wcf [smilie=1:[smilie=1:[smilie=1:

[geargnasher]

Ooooohh, off I go.......

Thanks,

Gear

[C A Plater]

My version of a contender carbine in .30-30. I pretty much just shoot cast from this puppy and it keeps close to 1" at 100 yards. The stock is a Bell and Carlson set and the barrel is a factory 16" with a 1-10" twist.

98110

[gewehrfreund]

Just a personal opinion, I'd contact gewehrfreund about the 219. I have both an older 219 and a H&R. For me the 219 is more graceful and seems to handle better. If you can't find a 219 a H&R will work very well.

This rifle was sold to someone on this forum. Thanks for the continued interest.

[Jack Stanley]

Years ago Thompson Center made a rifle I think it was called the TCR83 . They even offered a double set trigger with the same action and called it something else . I waited patiently for them to chamber it in 30WCF , but Nooooooo .... they didn't want my money .

Jack

[rking22]

Got one of those, TCR83 Aristacrat ,double sets.Very nicely finished. The TCR 87 had a single trigger I think and less "high" finish. . Tooling was lost in the fire, so not to return ,ashame they never put a 30WCF in it from the factory. There are some out there from Fox Ridge .Mine is currently a 22 Hornet. Made up and fitted a barrel in .308 bore using a 38special case with a .300 neck. They are very classy rifles, still have mine ,encore only stayed around about 6 months. Love the Contenders too.

[nanuk]

I really like the sleek lines of the 219

but I also like the handiness of the Handi.... with a short barrel and the youth stock.

a nice gun to carry, and pretty easy to shoot also.

I doubt I'd shorten a 219... in fact, I have one in 22hornet that I have a longing to ream to 225Win with a rim recess for 30-30 brass.

[d_dial]

How much do you think a 219 is worth retail this day and age? I found one at a shop in good condition for $350, just seemed a little high to me being you can get a new handi for less than that. I don't know maybe I passed up a good deal. I know one thing I like the 26" barrel on the 219's.
Would you guys pay that much for it?

[nanuk]

I've read that the barrel steel is some of the best in the 219

[d_dial]

More I research the 219 the more intriguing it sounds. I don't care much for the shortness of the T/C contender or the handi 's.
Guess they're pros and cons to all of them, decisions decisions ....