.30-30 bolt action

[skeet1]

I saw a most unusual rifle today that I didn't know existed, and Winchester Model 54 in .30-30. As you know the Model 54 is the fore runner of the Model 70. This rifle was obviously well used but the metal seem to be in good shape but in need of bluing. The stock was I think was original with very worn cut checkering and a Schnabel fore end. the price on the rifle was $400.00 and may be worth it. According to "Bolt Action Rifles" by Frank de Haas the Model 54 was made in .30-30 in 1928. I sure would like to shoot some Cast Boolits through it. Very tempting.

Skeet1

[Piedmont]

I would have bought it in a heart beat.

[Mk42gunner]

I've only seen a couple of those, what kind of sights did it have on it? IIRC a Model 54 needs the bolt bent, and possibly safety modifications if you want to put a scope on it.


Robert

[Jack Stanley]

I knew a fella thirty years ago bought one and was tickled that he'd found it . I think he paid more than four hundred buck back then . If ya like it and it will suit what you want to do I don't think the price for a quality rifle is unreasonable .

Jack

[EMC45]

I recently got a Savage 340 30-30 for $200 OTD. It is in fine shape! Came with a mount and scope too. You should jump on that one!

[Multigunner]

I've only seen a couple of those, what kind of sights did it have on it? IIRC a Model 54 needs the bolt bent, and possibly safety modifications if you want to put a scope on it.


Robert

Heres an alternative method.
Its best not to alter these older sporting rifles if it can be avoided.



Produced prior to popularity of telescope sights, the Model 54 Winchester was not factory drilled in the rear receiver bridge. The bolt lift was too high and the safety would also interfere if low scope mounting was attempted. Scope mounts providing high mounting were available from Herters and Stith utilizing the factory drilled and tapped holes on the front receiver ring and left side rear of receiver. The primary purpose of the left rear holes being the mounting of a receiver peep sight. Another method of mounting a scope on a Model 54 was to utilize the dovetail notch for a target scope block after removing the rear sight. A second target scope block was then installed on the front receiver ring. Photograph illustrates this method.

Wishing to use my Model 54 Winchester for deer hunting, I devised my own method of mounting a conventional scope without altering the rifle which would result in lowering its value. An inexpensive receiver sight was used on which a scope base was attached after removing the aperture slide. A scope base was attached to the factory holes in the front receiver ring. A high see-through mount was then installed to provide clearance for bolt lift and safety operation. Although the stability of such an arrangement may be questioned, I experienced no problem keeping groups under 2” at 100 yards, plenty good enough for in the woods deer hunting.


http://www.ogca.com/long_live_the_model_54_wincheste.htm

[atr]

I have a savage model 340 in 30-30 which I paid $300 for....I would got after that Winchester model 54 ASAP
the 340 was factory drilled for a side mount scope base so it was very simple to add a scope to this rifle. With that 4 power scope I can consistantly shoot within a 2" dia at 100 yds. shooting 150gr J
the only complaint I have about the 340 is that it feeds poorly,,,,Im still working on that issue
hopefully the model 54 has that bug worked out

[Ranch Dog]

Bolt 30-30s have always held an interest for me. My first center-fire big game rifle was a Savage 340C and I have always been on the look out for both the Winchester that is the topic of the post and the Rem 788. I've never seen a Win 54 in real life and none of the 788 I've looked at have taken my fancy (most I've seen locally have been abused).

I did buy a Revelation 225 this year, same as the 340C (carbine with the 18 1/2" barrel), I'm very pleased with it.

http://www.ranchdogmolds.com/Firearms/Savage340/340C.jpg

I'm shooting my TLC311-165-RF out of it. It feeds and shoots very well. I also have a Savage 170B, the pump rifle, chambered in 35 Remington. Most of my writing is about the Marlin rifles but one day I'm going to write something about these two rifles that I consider Savage's "working man" rifles.

When I was a kid, a friend of my father owned and hunted with the M54 chambered in 30-30 Win. I remember a scope on the rifle but nothing about the specific set up. He also had a special ordered M54 in 300 Savage that he later rechambered to 30-06. He specifically told me that he regretted that as the rifle in 300 Savage was unique and the 30-06 did not kill elk any better than the 300. I remember these quite conversations like they were yesterday. He was one of the few adults that talked to me as one when I was a small kid. Always enjoyed being in his company. This gentleman lived and ranched outside of Georgetown, TX when that burg was just a small hill country town. He is long gone as is his property, it is at the bottom of a lake. Hope to see pictures of the M54 as soon as it is purchased!

[excess650]

I've seen a number of M54s in 30-30. Most were rifles, but I know someone with a carbine. Unfortunately, they all seem to bring obscene prices.

The Savage 340, 170 and Remington 788s never held any of my interest, but I've often thought a Savage 219 might be interesting.

[looseprojectile]

I have owned a lot of guns. I have never seen or handled a 30 30 in that model.
I have however, owned a model 54 in .22 hornet.
I now have a model 340 Savage in 30 30 and havent had it out of the safe in fifteen or twenty years but to clean and oil it. Shoots really fine. I have had several 340s in .222 and they are great shooters also.
Someone on this board made the statement that he would never sell a gun.
I have started to subscribe to that mindset. I have often had sellers remorse such as when I no longer had the .44 40 saddle ring carbine 92 Winchester that was stone new. It came with 45 rounds left in the original box of ammo that was bought with it.

Life is good

[gnoahhh]

For years I worked with a M54 in .30/30. With a Unertl target scope mounted on it, it would put 10 shots under an inch with 15gr. SR-4759 and a 180 gr. bullet cast from linotype out of an old NEI mould. God I wish I had that rifle back!

[fatnhappy]

I saw a most unusual rifle today that I didn't know existed, and Winchester Model 54 in .30-30. As you know the Model 54 is the fore runner of the Model 70. This rifle was obviously well used but the metal seem to be in good shape but in need of bluing. The stock was I think was original with very worn cut checkering and a Schnabel fore end. the price on the rifle was $400.00 and may be worth it. According to "Bolt Action Rifles" by Frank de Haas the Model 54 was made in .30-30 in 1928. I sure would like to shoot some Cast Boolits through it. Very tempting.

Skeet1

I would buy that rifle this very second if I could.

[Bret4207]

I have seen exactly 1 788 in 30-30. The shop owner wanted some obscene price for it. I've seen at least 3 54's, all in great shape and very expensive (over $500.00 back in the early 1980's!). I seen and sold a lot of 340s in 30-30, they used to be a truck or snowmobile gun, never over $125-150.00. My, how times have changed. I recall one 340 Deluxe I'd give $400.00 if I had it. The owner lucked into a really nice hunka wood on that one and it was a shooter.

[Jack Stanley]

Isn't it amazing that with the prices of some used guns being that of some retail firearms , that manufacturers won't even make limited runs of them again .

When Browning stepped up and offered the model 53 , I slammed the cash down fast enough to jar the table and so did some of you . When they offered the 218 Bee same thing , Winchester and the "new" take-down 92 same thing . All of them high dollar guns and they sold .

If Savage would offer the 219 and built with quality in mind , even if they only offered the thirty WCF , I think I'd buy one . If they offered them in the original calibers I might buy two ! Does Savage even offer the three forty anymore ? Or , how about a re-offering of the 788 rifle , any takers there ? How about if Ruger would just chamber the number three in the thirty-thirty for a little while ..... I wonder how many of the number ones they sold in the British three oh three chambering .

I'm guessing the factories must be at max on production and can't even think about little markets like that huh?

Jack

[jaguarxk120]

The Savage 219 made in modern steel's and newer barrels would be a great little gun. Mine has a 26 inch barrel and shoots very well.

The problem is the mfgr's are making too much money's from the present offerings and don't want to change.

It takes more to make a hammerless rifle than one with a hammer and plastic parts. Remmington offered the little singleshot but the barrel release looked like it was beat out of scrap metal in a alley some where. The gun looked nice but that release turned me off.

[rockrat]

I have an 840 (same as 340) in 30-30 that I have just started to play with using boolits. It will group J-words under and inch. Also took my 340C (223) out to the range today. Was suprised at how well it shot. Handloads under an inch and most FMJ 1.5". Also shot some frangible Federal stuff, but about 8" was all it would do. Don't know the twist, but probably try some NOE 22-55's in it too.

I would get that 54 in a heartbeat.

Think Ruger chambered a few #1's in 30-30

RD, I think the 225 is the rarest chambering, but I could be wrong. Never seen one.

[RP]

I ran across a savage in 30/30 bolt for under 200 bucks I got it only bolt action 30/30 I have ever seen and got it for that reason.

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have never seen a 30/30 788 out here, but I have seen a few Savages but never one with a Bbl that wasn't shot to pieces. I've always wanted a 788 in 30/30 (actually I want two, one to rebore/rebarrel to 35-30/30. I don't know if any ever came to Australia.

I have seen a couple of 54s, both in 250/3000 which is a coincidence. My mate bought one of them. It came with a very large case of ammunition, 500 rounds I think with only one packet opened. It was virtually new. he sold off all of the ammo apart from 100 rounds and made enough to cover the cost of the rifle.

[Jack Stanley]

I just returned from a gun show and saw a Savage bolt action chambered in 30-30 WCF . The price ? $525 ........ The rifle was in good condition but I was not impressed . Stopped at a pawn shop later in the day , same type of rifle , same condition ....... $225 I left it there for someone else to be happy to find because I already have a good 788 rifle .

Jack

[two dogs]

bought a 340 yesterday 200 bucks not drilled and tapped but with a factory peep.1 inch group at 50 yds leaning of a picnic table with factory rem 170 grainers.great shooter for 200 and its a carbine.

[Hang Fire]

Few years ago I picked up a Stevens Model 325 (forerunner of the 340) with the butter knife bolt handle in 30-30, love it. Not drilled for scope, later put a Williams aperture sight on it. With cast boolits it is very accurate and is not fickle as to weight or shape.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/TANSTAAFL-2/P1010005-2.jpg

[roverboy]

I had a 340 in .30-30 years ago and tried j-bullets in it, but never liked the very short action. You have to seat pointed bullets too deep. I mean if you can use pointed bullets, use'em. It shot good though.

[pls1911]

My 340 in 30-30 came with an sweeeet monte carlo stock, the dufendorfer (wheel adjustment) rear sight and a nice sling for less than $300. I've not seen another set up as nice, though I am quite certain.
However, none of these guns will ever be called pretty, but they shoot cast boolits very nicely.

A BIG Plus one on the Ruger #3 in .30-30... I can't believe they couldn't make a special run of 1000, pre sold and prepaid at $400 each and make money.. and sell out in a week. I'd buy 4 immediately.

[Curly James]

As a very young man one of my first hunting rifles was a Remington 788 in 30-30. It was amazingly accurate with factory and reloads. I took several deer with it and then wisely realized that the 30-30 wasn't powerful enough and this rifle wasn't pretty enough and traded it to a foolish old guy who didn't know much. :groner:
It's one of those guns I would really like to have back.

I now have a Savage Springfield 840 and am quite pleased with it's performance using both jacketed and cast ammo. I saw it in the safe yesterday and thought it looked lonely. I will take it deer hunting this week, I have never taken a deer with this gun and it needs blooded.

[.357]

I've been day dreaming about an 840 I've seen listed in the paper for 275$ would be a neat gun to rechamber in 30-30AI. Maybe one will come around when i have the money, If you've got the money i would get the rifle.

[NHlever]

My 340 in 30-30 came with an sweeeet monte carlo stock, the dufendorfer (wheel adjustment) rear sight and a nice sling for less than $300. I've not seen another set up as nice, though I am quite certain.
However, none of these guns will ever be called pretty, but they shoot cast boolits very nicely.

A BIG Plus one on the Ruger #3 in .30-30... I can't believe they couldn't make a special run of 1000, pre sold and prepaid at $400 each and make money.. and sell out in a week. I'd buy 4 immediately.

The Ruger No.1 is now available in 30-30 though it isn't cataloged yet. That, and the .303 British are new this year as caliber options.