30/30 AI

[kenyo64]

Anyone ever load 30/30 Ackley improved??? A friend has one in TC contender , hard to come up with much info. Anything would help. Thanks

 

[kludge]

Would I buy a new rifle to make a .30-30 AI?

No way. I'd just get a .308 Marlin Express.

If I already had a Marlin .30-30, loved it, and wanted "a bit more"? Sure why not.

30-30 Ackley Improved - Shooters Forum

But it might just be easier to use LeveRevolution ammo/powder.

 

[Aszerigan]

I'm interested in this. I'm assuming its a 30-30 case that's had its shoulders elongated and is no longer tapered?

 

[kludge]

Correct. The shoulder is noticeably moved forward.

http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd3030ackleyimproved.jpg
http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd3030winchester.jpg

 

[Aszerigan]

Still a tapered case though. Interesting.

 

[kludge]

I'm guessing it would have to be that way since all of the Ackleys are fireformed and the .30-30 headspaces on the rim. I'm thinking it might not do well to blow it out like the Ackleys that heaspace on the shoulder to fireform... and you might not gain as much powder space as moving the shoulder foreward... just a guess.

 

[fireball168]

Fair amount of data in the Handloader magazines over the years, should be on www.loaddata.com.

I found the different chamber to die sizing variation to be a constant source of aggravation.

If I were to do it again, I'd have a die reamer made up at the same time as the chamber reamer to save the hassle.

 

[Aszerigan]

I'm guessing it would have to be that way since all of the Ackleys are fireformed and the .30-30 headspaces on the rim. I'm thinking it might not do well to blow it out like the Ackleys that heaspace on the shoulder to fireform... and you might not gain as much powder space as moving the shoulder foreward... just a guess.

I'm surprised that 30-30 brass could take that kind of stretching. It's pretty thin at the shoulders and neck to begin with.

 

[fireball168]

I'm surprised that 30-30 brass could take that kind of stretching.

Easy money with a Ken Light annealing machine.

 

[indymadcaster]

plus you CAN shoot regular 30-30 ammo! that is the plus to ackley improved! and in the improved it gets u 100-300 fps over 30-30 of same weight bullet
so if you have 30-30 dies load it and shoot it it will fireform to the chamber and then set your dies up to neck-size only

 

[kenyo64]

Thanks everyone for the discusion. I found a little data before and just thought maybe could come up with more.
ken