30-30 Barrel Repair

[Mauserfan]

I had to send in my 30-30 due to some side to side wobble between the barrel and frame.  This was a factory fit barrel to a former 30-06 frame.  After 80 rounds of factory Remington ammo it seemed like I was chasing the white rabbit of accuracy.  And from what I had read on this forum the 30-30's are supposed to be very accurate.  I contacted Brian and he had me send it to his attention.  Being a little reluctant to send it, since the stock has so much time in the finish, I probably used ten pounds of bubble wrap.  I picked it up at the big brown shipping company yesterday; it only took a couple of weeks.  H&R's shipping department has improved 10 fold over the last time I received a package from them.  This time the rifle came in with closed cell foam around the muzzle crown and stock snug in the box.  Thanks Brian for your help.  I hope to take it out this weekend and see how it does.

Jason

[yukondog]

Yep, Brian is the go to man for all handy needs.

[44 Man]

You'll have to let us know how it does.  My old Topper 30-30 will shoot under an inch when I do my part, and yes, it has some play between the barrel and frame when open, but not when closed.  How did your 30-06 shoot?  That's my next barrel!  44 Man

[Mauserfan]

44Man,

I didn't get a chance to play with it this weekend.  My wife's grandfather passed away so we are getting ready for a trip to Indiana.  Been a busy weekend.  He was a great man.  Served in the US Army in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.  Made 2nd Lt. in Korea and retired as a Lt. Col.  I was an E3 when I got out of the Air Force so I always had to clean my house religiously for his visits...or so I thought.  He was a great man.  We lost another of the Greatest Generation.

When we get back; and it's not 103 degrees here in Arkansas, I will test the barrel and post results.  I have some testing rounds loaded in five shot increments.  I am using Hornady 170 grain FP pushed with Leverevolution powder.  This will be my first test with that powder.  Figured I would try it with the Handi and then try the Win 94 using same load testing.

Jason 

[Mauserfan]

This morning I was able to get in a little range time before the rain started.  I was pleasantly surprised by my 30-30 barrel!  I started out at the 25 yard line to sight it in with factory ammo.  After 6 rounds (Forgot the multiple of 4 input clicks at 25 yards) I put two rounds on top of each other in the black.  I figured this was good enough to start with my hand loads.  Using 150gr Hornady RN over starting loads (35 grains) of Leverevolution as my fouling shots, I couldn’t see where my rounds were hitting in the hazy morning light.  This was because every round was in the black of the bull in a ragged hole.  The group measured .912 from edge to edge.  It would have been much better but I felt like I didn’t pull the trigger all the way back on the last shot.  I feel that when I get to test my hand loads at 100 yards this barrel will do great.  Thank you Brian for your work on this.  Oh, and I posted earlier that I was going to use 170 grain bullets.  I like the book spec’s on the 150’s much better for the 30-30.  Personal preference I guess.  And after 25 rounds of 405 cast 45-70 my shoulder was a bit limber. 
 
I need to change my screen name....I love these Handi's!   

[44 Man]

Yup Mauserfan, it's easy to get hooked on these Handi's!  They are just so much fun!  I think you are doing well with the 150 gr bullet.  Mine even likes the 125's and 130's (a lot!) with max book loads of H4895.  Pete is getting good results from the Leverevolution powder also.   Glad to hear it is shooting good for you and Brian got you all taken care of.  44 Man

[gcrank1]

150's have a great, long record as Whitetail medicine, though the 170's have certainly done their share. Ive loaded 32-20 equiv. loads with little 100-115gr., 130's, 150's, on up to 170s.

[ratdog]

sorry to here of your loss have a safe trip.44