.30-40 Handi Rifle

[Swampman]

I hope nobody will get upset with me because the gun isn't mine nor do I know whose it is but there is a .30-40 Handi Rifle on Gunbroker with a bunch of extras dies, brass, a hard case, etc.  The buy it now is $360.00 and they offer free shipping.  I'd post the link but I'm pretty sure that's forbidden.  IMO there is no more logical caliber for the Handi Rifle.

[jpshaw]

Oh, I've thought of doing that to my .30-30 barrel many times.  However, it's been one of my best deer "procurers" as is.  The diameter and twist rate would work fine I think.

[cjrjck]

.30-40... IMO there is no more logical caliber for the Handi Rifle.

Never owned one nor seen anyone shoot one but it looks like a good round. Why so sold on it? Would you prefer a 30-40 to a 30-30 AI in a Handi?

[quickdtoo]

If I were gonna spend the money for a rechamber to 30-40, I'd opt for the 30-40 Ackly Improved. 

Tim

http://www.eabco.com/store/products/Custom_30_40_Ackley_Improved_Reloading_Dies-337-58.html

[Swampman]

I don't think the .30-40 can be improved.

[quickdtoo]

I don't think the .30-40 can be improved.

Parker would disagree, it's one of his best improved cartridges, a big jump over parent cartridge performance, 180gr at 2900fps. 

Tim

[cwlongshot]

I don't think the .30-40 can be improved.

180gr at 2900fps. 

Tim

Thats 300 MAG territory!!!!

CW

[streak]

I don't think the .30-40 can be improved.

It is a 30-40!
 Shoot it as a 30-40, and enjoy it especially with a 220 grain SP trundling about 2200-2300 fps ! If you want to improve it just get a 30-06!! 

[Dinny]

I don't think the .30-40 can be improved.

It is a 30-40!
 Shoot it as a 30-40, and enjoy it especially with a 220 grain SP trundling about 2200-2300 fps ! If you want to improve it just get a 30-06!! 

And that my friends...couldn't have been said any better!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=282751439


Thanks, Dinny

[Swampman]

If the .30-06 had a rim, it would be a great cartridge.  P.O. Ackley loaded his ammo too hot but there was no way to know that.

[ironglow]

I don't think the .30-40 can be improved.

It is a 30-40!
 Shoot it as a 30-40, and enjoy it especially with a 220 grain SP trundling about 2200-2300 fps ! If you want to improve it just get a 30-06!! 

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
 
  The 30-06 is a great round..but still rimless.  With a Handi it's obviously the rim they are seeking.

[Dinny]

Why does this always happen to me? If I hadn't just spent my allowance a few weeks ago, it would be mine. I think the price is very reasonable considering what comes with it.

Thanks, Dinny

[Couger]

 
 
Didn't look at the aformentioned .30-40 for SALE,
 
but surprised no one has mentioned using the 7.62X54R instead,
 
for a rimmed, more voluminous cartridge for improving .30-cal performance
over the .30-30.
 
Just yesterday I was contemplating this point!
 
 
 
Twas me, I think I'd choose the 7.62X54R and use Norma brass - ALWAYS AVAILABLE and easy to find!  Which is not always the case with .30-40 cases.

[spooked]

 
Didn't look at the aformentioned .30-40 for SALE,
 
but surprised no one has mentioned using the 7.62X54R instead,
 
for a rimmed, more voluminous cartridge for improving .30-cal performance
over the .30-30.
 
Just yesterday I was contemplating this point!
 
 
 
Twas me, I think I'd choose the 7.62X54R and use Norma brass - ALWAYS AVAILABLE and easy to find!  Which is not always the case with .30-40 cases.

Wouldn't the 7.62x54 require a rebore or stubbing because of the bore size differance? Not just a simple reaming like the 30-40- from 30-30....

[Dinny]

The 7.62x39 barrel could be rechambered to a .311" bore 7.62x54R. But that's a whole 'nother  topic though...

Thanks, Dinny

[twoshooter]

probably not, just use a 308 bullet and change out the expander ball on the loading dies. The 32/20 dies come with a 311 and a 308 ball because the TC uses a 308 dia  barrel on its 32/20's. I also have no problems shooting 310 dia 125 gr sp's through my 30/30, I just don't try to jack em up speed wise.A .002 difference is not a lot. They have a short bearing surface and are fairly soft.

[Goatwhiskers]

Have to agree with Tim.  I have one I built back in '68 (not a Handi--sorry) with a 26" Ackley tube.  Shoots 180grRN Hornady to a 9/16" group consistently.  I don't load it heavy, just loafing along at 2200fps, but deer and hogs just bang-flop.  I do love single shots.  Goat

[quickdtoo]

P.O. Ackley loaded his ammo too hot but there was no way to know that.

No doubt, I ran QL predictions for his loads using modern versions of the powders he used and pressure for that velocity ran 65kpsi, doable in strong actions I suppose since it's basically the same as the 270 Win, but not really meant for a Handi if you want it to last a long time. Still, the rim should make a lot of rimmed aficionados happy and it's an American round ta boot! 

Tim

[Swampman]

The .303 British is another favorite.

[gendoc]

 surprised no one has mentioned using the 7.62X54R instead,
 
for a rimmed, more voluminous cartridge for improving .30-cal performance
over the .30-30.
 

we have 2 handi 54r's and they are very rimmed and voluminous !!!  accuracy to some would be excellent.
but compared to its rimless lil'brother ........ they ain't even close

[ironglow]

The .303 British is another favorite.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
 
  Another one I thought of.. It is from a still popular rifle, so brass should be obtainable.  My friend uses an Enfield for deer..and it is a very useful round indeed.
   I checked; the British .303 uses a .312 bullet...so perhaps it would be a better rebore for the 7.62 X 39..

[reloaderman]

I've got a 30-40 in a Ruger #3, and love it. It's my "go-to" gun for deer season,  with the 170 gr
30-30 bullet @ 2500 fps it drops them in their tracks !  Bang-plop no need for "improvement".

[Couger]

..... the British .303 uses a .312 bullet...so perhaps it would be a better rebore for the 7.62 X 39..

INDEED! 

[Ol BW]

  Here ya'll go pushing around the rimless and the russian again. 
 
Seems to me the best way to handle the bullet-barrel size issues is to start handloading.  There are more choices in .308 anyway.  I have shot .311 bullets from my .308 barrel with no problems. 
 
Not taking anything away from the .30-40, the .303 or the 7.62x54, they are all good proven rounds in their own right, but why rechamber a 7.62x39 barrel when .308 bullets AND barrels are more plentiful anyway?  More than likely you are probably going to reload for them anyway right?  The .303 Brit I can see a little more, as .308 to .312 is a big step and there are probably a wider variety of rounds for it in factory ammo.

[ratdog]

i have hunted and shot a lot the 30-40 and the 303 brit both are nothing to brag about . i will take the 30-06 anytime over both more bullet variations.

[clearwater]

I have one, a rechambered 30-30 and I like it a lot.Definitely a lot more oomph than the 30-30 and the rechamber made it more
accurate with cast bullets..

What I really like about it is I have some 170 grain
GC cast bullets that hit at the same point of impact at 50 yards as a full house 220 grain jacketed bullet load at 100 yards.
1 inch 5 shot groups with the cast at 50, 2 inch with the jacketed at 100 without changing the sights.

150 grain Noslers reach 2700 fps, 220 Hornady 2100 fps, both with less than max loads.
Hornady says their round nose will expand at the slower velocity, for deer etc. Sierra says theirs will not.
2400 for the cast bullets, rx19 for the heavy jacketed 220, IMR4350 for the 150 BT's.

A point for getting a SAAMI cartridge over an AI,  the load data is plentiful. Dies are cheap too. Lee makes em.