Re-chamber a 300BLK Handi-Rifle to 30-30 or 308.

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ocanuck

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Someone talk me out of or in to a short little gun that when broken down could be put into a pannier for bicycle hunting...

The 300BLK is ballistically okay for deer and perhaps black bear, but ammo availability is much better for 30-30 or 308. The AAC rifles have a 16" barrel with a 1:7 twist, so I'm slightly concerned about over stabilization not to mention dealing with the ejector.

This is completely silly?
Stick with 300BLK?
Find a 30-30 or 308 H&R already, and simply cut the barrel to 18.1"... a bit less money but a bit more weight?
Suck it up and pack my Ruger scout?
 
Unless you are a gunsmith and can do the work your self you will spend Lots and lots of $$$

there are a few more wild cast based on the 223 round but $$$
barrel $$
Reamer $$
Gun smith $$$$
Custom reloading Dies $$$$ = LOTS OF $$$$$
 
I have done dozens of rechambers and stubs on Handi rifles... the .300 BLK is pretty much a fun gun, or a subsonic gun... you would be better off with another peppier cartridge for hunting. The Handi BLK platform is a perfect lightweight compact rig, so IMO it is worth doing the rechamber, in all likelihood, you will be able to find a smith with the reamer you want, but if not $150 and a phone call to Dave Kiff at PTG will take care of that. Do it and enjoy.
 
So hoytcannon, since you've done a few of these... 30-30 or 308? I assume the rim is going to make things much easier and I'll end up with a more reliable rifle?
 
I prefer rimmed cases in break action rifles... it leads to very positive headspace and extraction... go with .30/30 & when your done send me a PM and I will give you a load that was tops in my Handi .30/30's.
 
ocanuck said:
Someone talk me out of or in to a short little gun that when broken down could be put into a pannier for bicycle hunting...

The 300BLK is ballistically okay for deer and perhaps black bear, but ammo availability is much better for 30-30 or 308. The AAC rifles have a 16" barrel with a 1:7 twist, so I'm slightly concerned about over stabilization not to mention dealing with the ejector.

This is completely silly?
Stick with 300BLK?
Find a 30-30 or 308 H&R already, and simply cut the barrel to 18.1"... a bit less money but a bit more weight?
Suck it up and pack my Ruger scout?
Click to expand...

Yes. Sell it to someone who wants a Handi-Rifle in 300 BLK for heavy bullet sub-sonic loads, and buy a Handi-Rifle in 308 or 30-30. These rifles were recently discontinued, but with patience one could likely be found.
 
There is merit to rechambering the BLK as the contour is shorter and lighter than other Handi rifles... .30/30 Ackley is worthwhile though... "IF" you reload.
 
hoytcanon said:
There is merit to rechambering the BLK as the contour is shorter and lighter than other Handi rifles... .30/30 Ackley is worthwhile though... "IF" you reload.
Click to expand...

Can't agree. The Handi in 300 BLK is a cool gun and easy to sell I would think, likely for more than a used one in 30-30 would cost. Any gunsmith will shorten and re-crown it for about $50. You'd likely break even cost-wise.

Or, try to find someone to rechamber it to 30-30, pay for that, and hope that extraction will not be an issue going from small base rimless to rimmed.

A 1:7 twist is really intended for 220 gr and heavier 30 cal bullets, but is not a problem for lighter - "over stabilization problems" do not exist.

As for 30-30 AI, I have a lever gun in 30-30 AI, and it's cool, but gives a whopping 50 fps more at sane pressures. If you go the rechamber route, you may as well do it as dies are readily available.
 
Andy said:
Can't agree. The Handi in 300 BLK is a cool gun and easy to sell I would think, likely for more than a used one in 30-30 would cost. Any gunsmith will shorten and re-crown it for about $50. You'd likely break even cost-wise.

Or, try to find someone to rechamber it to 30-30, pay for that, and hope that extraction will not be an issue...
Click to expand...



You would be right "except" when you throw in recontouring the barrel into your barrel bobbing cost... even if you were lucky enough to find a used .30/30 Superlight, it is still beefier than the BLK. As far as extraction issues, an extractor job requires an $8 part (Numrich) and no machining. We are talking about a few bucks difference either way to get what the OP wants... the seven twist barrel will work fine on 150 and up SP's... which is one of the benefits of a single shot .30/30... they can be loaded up to stiffer loads and used with the Spire Point of your choosing.
 
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