Re-calibering a .30-30, options?

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:46 pm

.30-30 336s seem to be pretty prevalent around here. Could one be rebarrelled to .38-55? Would there be more involved than just a barrel swap?

Would it be worth the time/effort/cash if I was just wanting a project?

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:21 pm

Rebore and rechamber it to .38-55 is the best way to go.
http://leverguns.sixgunner.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34738
Have fun!

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:34 am

Alot of options. You could send it back to Marlin , if they make the length barrel your looking for.

Get it rebarrelled by a gunsmith using a barrel blank. Done to your specs.Prices will start around $300.

Get your existing barrel bored out. for around $200.

No other mechanical stuff is needed since 38-55 is the parent case for the 30-30.

edsguns · Post by **edsguns** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:23 am

I've seen and kept the name of a gunsmith out west who says he can rebore a 336 30/30 to .356 Win., which would be a significant step up and also give you something pretty unique in your hands should some ask about that "30/30" you're using. I know I really like my original 336ER in .356. Just a thought...

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:07 am

I want a 35-30/30. Rebore to 35 cal. It's a pretty common wildcat.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:15 am

The 356 is an excellent cartridge, and I'm surprised that the 336ER never took off. However, given my weakness for days of yore, I'd still vote for the 38-55.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:26 am

IIRC, issue .356's were specialy hardened steel, and it might not be wise to bore a standard M-336 to that caliber.

nemhed · Post by **nemhed** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:32 am

Has anyone been able to contact Jesse Ocumpaugh recently? I called the number a couple of times, left a message but got no reply.

edsguns · Post by **edsguns** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:39 am

Tycer wrote:

I want a 35-30/30. Rebore to 35 cal. It's a pretty common wildcat.

Tycer, THAT"S THE FELLA!...lol, thanks for picking me up with that GREAT assist! Ed

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:51 am

Amen to Tycer's suggestion of a 35/30 Wildcat, very unique yet easy to make ammo. The only thing I didn't like about the 35 Remington was it's lack a rim , just didn't seem 100% right maybe 99% but not 100.

Thunder50 · Post by **Thunder50** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:45 pm

Talked to Jess last Thursday about a couple of rebores he is doing for me. A Savage 340 to 38-55 and a Browing 1895 to 38-72 (problem with reamer--pilot too big, gotta get it reground). I think he's pretty busy.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:36 pm

Thunder50 wrote:Talked to Jess last Thursday about a couple of rebores he is doing for me. A ... Browing 1895 to 38-72

38-72! ...... Now that's excellent! I've had a hankerin' for a 38-72 for a long time. The beauty of it is that you can use standard 38-55 bullets in that exotic cartridge.

johnly · Post by **johnly** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:06 pm

I have a set of 35/30 Imp RCBS dies that appear to be for the 350 Maine Guide chambering. Just waiting for a nice 336 in 30-30 to catch my eye.

John

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:50 pm

I'm a .38-55 fan. Get it rebored with a "standard" .375 bore rather than the old .379" groove diameter and chambered for the old length ammo (2.125") and you'll be good to hook. Can use a WIDE variety of bullets even if some have to be modified and can load to shoot anything on the continent short of the great bears.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:19 pm

Thanks all!

I'm not dead set on a .38-55 but I thought it would be nice to know what can be done when I need a project for a rainy day.

Like I'll ever run out of projects with a 43 year old house...

Hobie wrote:you'll be good to hook

My, my there's a phrase I haven't heard in quite some time....

20cows · Post by **20cows** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:33 pm

I've had two rebored to .38-55, the last one by Jes.

I am very pleased!

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:59 pm

How about a .38-95?

What?.....

Never mind.

JP_TX · Post by **JP_TX** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:56 pm

I wonder if he does .30-30 Ackley Improved rechambers? Anyone here shoot that? Sounds very interesting to me.

jd45 · Post by **jd45** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:05 pm

Nobody's mentioned re-boring to .35 Remingtron, I'm wondering why. jd45

jd45 · Post by **jd45** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:09 pm

BTW, that .35 Remingtron is a Super-Duper .357 Magnum, (grin). jd45

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:42 pm

I like the 35-30 idea. I bet you could be knocking on the door of the 308ME in velocity, still keeping pressures low.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 12:17 am

jd45 wrote:Nobody's mentioned re-boring to .35 Remingtron, I'm wondering why. jd45

That thought crossed my mind but if today's show was any indication, I can buy one for less than I could buy the base weapon and have the work done. The 3 I noticed today ranged from $325 to $500.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:26 am

handirifle wrote:I like the 35-30 idea. I bet you could be knocking on the door of the 308ME in velocity, still keeping pressures low.

I think case capacity and thin brass limit you here. The 35 Rem has more case capacity than the 35-30. 30-30 brass is pretty thin too.

My desire for the 35-30 is for heavy cast bullets. The Lyman 3589 280 grainers should shoot great around 1600-1700 fps in a 1:12 twist. The neck on the 35 Rem is too short for heavy cast bullets, but the 35-30 is plenty long.

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/w353030.html

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:39 am

Doesn't the 35 rem take different carrier,bolt and extractor because of case dimentions. More money to make it work. If you stick with 30-30 case family no head aches to make it run.