Building a 30-30 bolt action

Gatehouse

Gatehouse

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Since playing around wiht a inexpensive Savage 340 bolt action 30-30, I've been thinking about building a better quality 30-30 rifle on a more conventional action..with more conventional scope mounting, too!:)

I'd probbaly be leaning towards (but not dead set on) a Remington 700 action, and even with detachable magazines. Although I am generally not a fan of detach mags on a hunting rifle, for this rifles purposes, it woudl be handy.

Are there any particular issues with using the 30-30 cartridge in a format such as this?
 
only if you consider feeding to be a particular issue.

If I was considering such a thing I'd start with a 788 already in 30-30
 
Why not consider a good single shot to convert to 30/30? A ruger#1 or a Brownchester 85, or orig Winch. 1885, CPA Stevens, Ballard, C. Sharps are all classics and what would be better than a classic cartridge in a classic rifle? Or haven't you been bit by the Single Shot bug? If cost is a concern....what about an H&R handi-rifle done up like their Buffalo gun in 30/30?
 
Clarke,

Ben has given you a very good suggestion, however you can also make a nice single shot 30-30 on a plain vanilla Mauser 98 or variant thereof. I have actually gotten one to feed ONE cartridge up from the magazine quite reliably. The ultimate poor man's double rifle. :D

Years ago a friend of mine had blown up a 22-250 heavy barrel and gave me the 26" tube. Bevan King and I talked about the possibility of barrelling it up in 225 Winchester on a K98 that I had kicking around. The only reason we chose this caliber was one of us had a set of dies, but no rifle. Makes perfect rifle looney sense, eh? :rolleyes:

He cut three inches off the breech end of the barrel and installed it. The thing shot half inch groups right from the start. We were so please with it, that he modified the magazine so the cartridges stacked one behind the other as they were loaded. It fed fine, but if someone had been paying for the magazine and rail work, he could have bought a new rifle before the work was done.

Anyway, my point is, the rifle was crazy accurate and still is! I have no doubt whatsoever that a 30-30 in a good bolt action would be an exceptional shooter.

Ted
 
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While a single shot would probably be an interesting option, it's not really a suitable solution to what I have in mind, which is a repeating bolt action.

I'm not a fan of the Handi Rifles, either.:p

"Classicness" is not important to me in the slightest, either.:)
 
And what exactly is wrong with the Savage 340?
They feed reliably and they are usually very accurate.
I have owned 340s in several calibers over the past forty years and have no complaints about any of them.
 
10x said:
And what exactly is wrong with the Savage 340?
They feed reliably and they are usually very accurate.
I have owned 340s in several calibers over the past forty years and have no complaints about any of them.
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For what they are, there is nothing wrong wiht it.

However, they don't lend themselves to great scope mounting, the bolt handle is a wee bit too close to many ocular lens peices.

The trigger isn't anything to write home about, and I could go on...But as I said, they are decent rifles for what they are, but I already said I am looking for something different. Not trying to bash the 340:rolleyes:

So, you have anything useful to add?:p
 
I've actually seen a couple of different 30-30 bolt action rifles. One was built on a US 98 Krag action and was built with a 20 inck barrel. The other was built on a Remington 721 action but was the blown out 30-30 improved, quite a little snorter actually and very smooth and handy with the 21 inch barrel.

The Krag didn't need much work, but the Remington was a whole different balgame, extensive modifications to the boltface, extractor and guiderails and blind box magazine.

All in all a very well done job that was done by it's original owner for his grandson. The price would be extremely prohibitive if you can't do the work yourself.

Whatever you decide to do is up to you, if you decide to tackle the project, perhaps you should look for a short action magnum receiver, such as one for the newer breeds like the 300 SAUM or 300WSM or an older 350 Rem Mag. There would be little if any fitting needed othe than rebarreling.

Have fun.

bearhunter
 
Probably the easiest would be to find a Model 54 Winchester. There were enough of them chambered in 30-30 that you see them from time to time at shows and for sale.

Next easiest would be any bolt action factory-chambered 220 Swift. They are already set up for the rimmed case, and you might be able to get away with simply opening up the bolt face for the larger rim.

It would be easy to find out. Just load three or four rounds into the magazine of a Swift and see how they come up out of the mag as you slowly push the bolt ahead. If they start into the chamber, you've pretty well got it licked.

Ted
 
An internal magazine is fine, I don't *need* a detach mag...I think a P14 action may be a bit monstrous for the lil ol 30-30, maybe? Not sure of that one...
 
Gatehouse said:
An internal magazine is fine, I don't *need* a detach mag...I think a P14 action may be a bit monstrous for the lil ol 30-30, maybe? Not sure of that one...
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not the lightest that's for sure. all depends what you are looking for, ive got a sporter p14 that would be great for a rebarrel project, I was gonna make a 375 h&h out of it but ive since gave up on the idea.
 
Clarke,
The best choices for any rimmed cartridge are CRF actions. A Remington bolt will not allow headspacing on the rim. The bolt head would have to be modified by a gunsmith who understands the requirement to allow this. To get the rifle to feed, there are a couple of options. One option is to fit the Savage 340 or the 788 magazine to the action of choice. The other option is to modify the existing magazine to make it work. This means angling the front and rear walls of the magazine and, possibly, narrowing the box.
The P14 might work reasonably well. A ruger 77 would work fine as would a new M70. I could do a 700 a couple of different ways. A respectable amount of folding money and a free rein would be required. Regards, Bill.
 
Leeper said:
Clarke,
The best choices for any rimmed cartridge are CRF actions. A Remington bolt will not allow headspacing on the rim. The bolt head would have to be modified by a gunsmith who understands the requirement to allow this. To get the rifle to feed, there are a couple of options. One option is to fit the Savage 340 or the 788 magazine to the action of choice. The other option is to modify the existing magazine to make it work. This means angling the front and rear walls of the magazine and, possibly, narrowing the box.
The P14 might work reasonably well. A ruger 77 would work fine as would a new M70. I could do a 700 a couple of different ways. A respectable amount of folding money and a free rein would be required. Regards, Bill.
Click to expand...

At least you always get the straight information from Bill:p

I've just been informed of a 788 in 30-30 for sale..My building plans may get shelved. It sounds liek I woudl need alot of money, too:D
 
A 788 should be a pretty good outfit. Plenty strong, it will allow you to load to much higher pressures than with the 340. It should also be more accurate. Then, if you want more, you can chamber to the 30/30AI. I've toyed with the idea of getting one for some time but have always managed to curb the urge. Regards, Bill.
 
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