30 WCF for a single shot bolt action CB rifle?

[Finnmike]

I have this stone in my shoe for a single shot bolt action in 30 Wesson or 30-30 WCF. Impracticable I know but we all know that guns can be more emotion than reason. I'm looking to use a 788, 96 Mauser or other short throw action, get a good barrel, and use it to throw 180-210 cast at 100/200 yards. I'm fairly experienced with cast, shooting my 30/06 modified military 1917 and a 32-20 CPA bench rifle in CBA matches.

There must be folks here that have blazed this trail ahead of me. I've searched but most forums devolve into a "why" debate. Controlled or push feed? Throating? All advice and reservations welcome. And yes, I already have a 7.62x39 bolt gun.

[Tackleberry41]

I am building similar, tho a little different. Going to use a 1-8 fast twist barrel to shoot the heavy 230gr NOE blackout. Case cap on the 7.62x39 isn't much different than 30-30. I have messed with subsonic in my 30-30 bolt gun, the limiting factor is the barrel twist of 1-12. It will go to 180gr before their unstable. Its down to under 7gr of fast burning pistol powder, less powder = less noise.

Was trying to limit the cost of the project, work with what I have. Its a stub barrel from a 243. Considered using a 308, not completely decided. It would fit on the existing Rossi extractor, I can easily cut it down to make it fit the little larger 30-30 rim, more difficult to make it longer for a 7.62x39. I have dies, brass, etc for a 30-30, and 308. Nothing for a 7.62x39.

Debating about buying a reamer, can do it at my leisure, sell it after I use it. Maybe keep it to make some shotgun inserts. Or renting one.

[GhostHawk]

The easy way is to go with a single shot rifle, like the H&R Handi rifle. There are still good numbers of new ones being sold, plus used ones.

I think 788 in 30-30 were pretty rare, but I had one in .243 that was awesome out to a solid 400 yards on crows.

All depends on exactly which itch it is you are trying to scratch.

For me I'll take either my .357 mag handi or my .444 marlin handi againt anything that walks in N America.
Both shoot very tight groups out to 100. 200 gr bullet in the .357 or 310 grain in the .444. Load em hot or mild, your choice. But there is certainly nothing wrong with the .30-30 either. When that itch gets bad enough either you'll find something that will scratch it or find a cure.

[country gent]

If you can find one the 788 was made in a short runs of 30-30s, This would save boring out a bolt face and ejector extractor modifications. A lee enfield cation might be useable here also. Not sure but savage may also have chambered some 110s in 30-30 also, also ona standard bolt the removeable bolt head would be easier to set up to re work to 30-30. Always could buy a stolle or kelby action to fit and build from there. The 7-62 X39 might be an interesting choice maybe "improve" it with a slightly sharper shoulder angle and throated for the bullet you want to use. A 30-30 improved with sharper shoulder and slightly longer neck could be interesting also.

[Bjornb]

I discussed this exact build at length with Goodsteel. For a long time we had planned to use a P14 action, since this is already built to work with a rimmed case and only some extractor modification should be necessary. I have several barrels at Goodsteel's shop and we were going to use a 1:14 Brux, since I wasn't planning on shooting much over 160 grain bullets.

The feeding would be handled by a tray built from devcon or similar epoxy.

In the end we settled on using a Browning Highwall for the 30-30 SS build (still not built), since I have a brand new rifle in 45-70 with a barrel that just won't shoot.

The P14 action will be used for a 458x2 American build, not because it wouldn't have worked fine as the basis for a 30-30 (it would), but because at the end of the day we had to prioritize which action would work optimally for each rifle build.

I'll be following your work, the 30WCF is a very accurate cartridge when applied properly (as in a single shot).

[Larry Gibson]

I've pondered the same; building a 30-30 bolt action strictly for cast bullets. You might give thought to a 6.5 Arisaka action. The pre war ones are nicely built and hell for stout. Since the 6.5 jap is a semi rimmed cartridge the magazine will hold 5 rounds of 30-30 and feeds them w/o any modification to the action or magazine. The bolt face is the only modification needed. It only needs to be opened a little for the 30-30 rim. Or you could easily turn the 30-30 case rims down to fit the bolt face. That can easily be done on a lathe or a drill press with a 1/2" chuck using a good file.

I've found the thumb safety to be easy to use and quite ergonomic, especially for scope use. The actions are easy to D&T and Weaver makes an excellent one piece base for them.

I would get a 26" heavy sporter with a 14" twist and use a tight necked reamer. I would throat it for the 311041 seated to the crimp groove. For target use I'd use I'd sure give the 30 XCB the first shot followed by the Loverin 311466.

That's my concept anyway.

Larry Gibson

[Finnmike]

Thanks for the input. The Arisaka action is an attractive one, but I am uncertain of options to make a decent trigger for CB shooting. The P14 has the Dayton-Traister option; I use one on my 1917 CB rifle. I think the P14 sounds the way to go unless I stumble upon a Winchester 54 or 788. Barrel will be a 22-24" and 1 in 10 for heavy bullets. Boyd stock, pillared and bedded.

[wmitty]

I have the 788 chambered in .30-30; guess I need to rebarrel it with a 14 inch twist tube. It does seem to shoot the 311466 well with the factory barrel.

[John Taylor]

The Winchester model 54 and early model 70 was chambered in 30-30 as well as the 22 Hornet.