NEF Handi: leave 30-30 or go to 30-40?

[leadman]

I bought a 30-30 Handi rifle awhile back. Haven't shot it yet but was thinking it might make a good 30-40. Anyone have one they are shooting in 30-40?

I also bought a Weaver #82 base for it. What a design disaster. I'm going to send it back to Midway and have ordered one from H&R.

I also ordered a monte carlo wood stock to replace the straight stock. Got problems with my neck and it is more comfortable if my head is up higher.

After I get the base and stock I'll tackle the hammer . My older H&Rs have a lower profile and the scope can be mounted lower. I have a hammer for an older gun. Will this work in the NEF?

[NickSS]

I do not know what the twist is in the 30-30 barrel but if it is the typical one in 12 you will be limited to around 180 gr bullets as the longer heavier ones may not stabilize. Also if you are going to shoot lead cast bullets primarily the larger case of the 30-40 is not necessary as you can get bullets going plenty fast in a 30-30. However, if you want to shoot J bullets at big game you do get an advantage in max velocity and power with the 30-40.

[largom]

My 30-30 Handi has a 1-10 twist. Took a lot of work to get this gun to shoot accurate. Started off with 4 in. groups @ 50 yds. with jacketed, after extensive bore lapping I got 7/8 in. groups @ 100 yds. with jacketed bullets.
Now shooting Lyman 311041 cast, 177 gr. my alloy, with 1 in. groups @ 50 yds. Have not shot cast at 100 yds. yet.
Larry

[leadman]

I'll load up some ammo and take it out for a session to see what it will do after I get a scope mounted.

[Gerry N.]

I've got an H&R Topper M158 made in '68 that has yet to be fired. I considered having it reamed to .30-40 but after more thought, I decided to leave it in .30-30 as there is not enough to be gained for the expense.

Cast bullets at 1600-1800 fps are the same velocity from a .30-30 as from a .30-40.

Gerry N.

[Char-Gar]

Humm... When you deal with cast bullets, you need to pitch the old notions of twist vs. bullet weight into the trash. It is the length of the bullet and not the weight that decides the needed rate of twist to stablilize the bullet. Cast bullets are heavier for the length that condom bullets. There is also the velocity to consider. A bullet that might not stablilize at one velocity will do well if the velocity if boosted.

A good Winchester 94 in 30-30 will do well with cast bullets up to 225 grains. The real limitation is the OAL of the round and what will feed through the magazine.

So how about the original question? Rechambering a 30-30 single shot to 30-40. I have a Browning SS Traditional Hunter is 30-30 and have considered the same option. The only real advantage to the modification would be the use of heavier than 180 grains condom bullets and a couple of extra hundred feet per seconds with condum bullets.

I don't shoot condum bullets and the rifle does very well with 311284 (215 grains) at about 1.8 K fps. I really don't see much advantage to rechambering to 30-40 for a cast bullet shooter. I might squeeze some more velocity out of the rifle, but why? I also remember the rifle is an easy MOA shooter with just about any decent 30 caliber cast bullet. It if ain't broke, why fix it.

If I want to shoot condom bullet faster than 30-30 speeds, I have 4 rifles in 30-06, 4 in .308 Win, and 5 in 30-40. I will just use another rifle.

[leadman]

I took the Handi to the range yesterday. It is staying a 30-30. 4 different loads with 311041 and Bluedot went under and inch at 50 yards.

Very good start.

[clearwater]

I have a 30-40 handi that I made from 30-30. It is 1 in 10 twist and shoots
220 hornady jacketed at 2100 fps. Also 150 grain jacketed at 2700 fps.

170 grain Cast at 1800 fps for best accuracy. Haven't tried any heavier cast.

Accuracy is better than the 30-30 was, maybe the rechambering was a better job.

I wanted the 30-40 because I hunt for hogs and mule deer and wanted a bit more
power.

I am very pleased.

[Rocky Raab]

I'm glad it's staying a .30-30. If you get tempted at some future date, first see how much .30-40 ammo and brass you find for sale. That alone will likely change your mind.

[leadman]

I have a sporterized Krag so am set-up to reload for it also. Brass is a little hard to find, but not impossible.

[Urny]

Agree with your assessment of the Weaver mount. The factory mount is much more useful. An alternative to changing the hammer to get a lower scope mounting is to use one of the longer (not long) eye relief scopes, like the Leupold 2.5x20, some of the Burris short scopes, or the various similar imports. Also, Bushnell make a low power variable for shotguns and muzzle loaders that is suitable. Most of these have five to six inches of eye relief and can be mounted ahead of the hammer, low enough for the ocular bell to just clear the base. I first discovered this mounting method using an old 7/8" Noske scope in that manner, and have used it now on 38-55, 30-30 and 243, and want to try it for walking around 22 Hornet. An advantage is that the well shaped synthetic low comb stock works quite well, avoiding NEF's clumsey monte carlo butt stocks.

Our 30-30 almost became a 30-40, but shoots too well to risk the rechambering job.