30-30 to 303 brit, going 30-40 Krag

[kwells2006]

is this a do-able chamber ream? i'd be neck sizing the 303 brass to .308" rather than .311"

this would all but be a 30-40 krag, wouldn't it?

[D Humbarger]

You'll need a floating pilot reamer with a 308 pilot.  Will be more potent than the 30/40.

[aromakr]

Why not just do a Ackley improved 30-30, I think the 303 rim is thinner than the 30-30 which would cause a headspace problem. Don't have the spec's handy too check.
Bob

[quickdtoo]

303 rim is .064", 30-30 is .063", 30-30AI can be done by hand, dunno if the 303 could be.

Tim

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=97

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=95

[clearwater]

You'll need a floating pilot reamer with a 308 pilot.  Will be more potent than the 30/40.

The 30-40 would have a longer neck-- good for cast bullets. I doubt there is a spit worth of difference tween
a 303 and 30-40 when handloaded. The 30-40 has greater capacity.

[kwells2006]

hm... where could I get a ream?

[D Humbarger]

http://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/   http://www.mansonreamers.com/

[quickdtoo]

hm... where could I get a ream?

http://www.reamerrentals.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=48

http://www.4-dproducts.com/

[Airsporter]

Seems the chamber neck will be a little sloppy if you ream for the 303 (.311 bore) and size cases for .308 bullet.  I guess Ruger did something like that for the Mini-30 in 7.62x39.

[Austin1]

the .303 and 30/40 are almost the same when loaded to equal pres. But .303 brass can be found at any gun shop. Not sure about the Krag but then I am a Canuck and the .303 is more common, although we are now stuck with Amercian junk when it comes to factory loads, CIL has been gone for over 10 years all that is left is Norma good thing I reload! . Now about the American Factory loads I have put some Rem 180gr to the test all I got was 2335fps for a 180gr out of my .303 might as well shoot a 30/30!. The CIL not Imperial! That's for those that know the diff, ya same company different time, the 180gr CPE yes that is a 180gr copper point expanding came out of two different .303s at a average MV of 2565fps and the Saber tip the first plastic tip bullet another Canadian Idea! was doing a even 2520. The only factory 06 round that will beat that is the modern Hornady 180 gr from my testing it will do a honest 2740 looking at my notes. The rest fail to make or beat 2600fps in a 22'' barrel gun putting them in the same power as the old CIL loads for the .303. Ya the 06 might beat it by 20/ 30fps in the factory ammo I have tested.Same story with the .308 it will beat most 06 loads not a slam on the 06 it is under loaded in most cases the exep being Hornady and Fed premium. You have to put the ammo through a chrono to be sure of what your getting!
Ie a stinger 22 lr is not as fast as you might think, remember the first ads for the Stinger in 1976? I do! ya they slowed it down a bit but just put it over a Chrony try some differnt barrel lengths too I have. Ya I am a history nut when it comes to new cals too.   

[gcrank1]

Whatever you think you want to rechamber to must have neck, throat and bullet diameters that suit your existing bore/groove dimensions or why bother. The case is just a launching platform for the bullet, the stuff I mentioned is critical.

[Couger]

The 30-40 would have a longer neck-- good for cast bullets. I doubt there is a spit worth of difference tween a 303 and 30-40 when handloaded. The 30-40 has greater capacity.

I'd choose the .30-40 too, although my actual choice would be determined by what brass was easiest to procure.

[kwells2006]

I know how the brass thing is. I've got a few hundred 303's laying around since im going to retire my enfield till I can figure out what the problem is

[gcrank1]

Sell/trade the brass for 30-40 Krag and make your life easier for chamber reamer availability, etc.
It is doable in 303 but you will have to have a reamer that does the neck smaller that 303 spec (ie, ream the body only, then neck/throat). Thereafter you will need special dies or neck size only to more like 30-40K anyway. Lots of futsin for no more performance and what about when you sell it? The inexpensive Lee die sets for the Krag are fine too.

[kwells2006]

I've decided 30-40 is the way to go.

Now, where can I borrow a ream? If anyone has one, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!

[aromakr]

Since you have decided on the 30-40 krag, do your self a favor and do the Ackley improved version. The improved 30-40 will have better performance and less back pressure. I own two of them and have shot them for 40 years, its a great cartridge. I've loaded 168 grain's to over 3000 fps, 180's to almost 2900. Both of the one's I have really like IMR 4320 and Hogdon H380. Have fun
Bob

[kwells2006]

the dies are crazy expensive

I'd really rather go with the regular 30-40 Krag

[Lefty Dude]

the dies are crazy expensive

I'd really rather go with the regular 30-40 Krag

You will like the 30-40, with the 180 gr. you can get 2850 FPS safely. Shot many Elk with my Ruger #3 Carbine, a Nosler 180 gr. partition & IMR 4350 powder.

[kwells2006]

well, the only smith I found that can do that only has the 30-40 AI, but I can get away with just neck sizing. grand total of $126

[gcrank1]

Yes, it would be nice to find a qualified 'smith with a std reamer, and they are out there, I think. Also, for the same rental fee a smith can get any reamer you want. Remember, the accurracy of a barrel (given it is at least decently bored and rifled to start with) is all in the chamber reaming and mounting to the action.
Not everybody that hangs out a shingle can chamber a barrel correctly (and even the factories do it badly sometimes).
Shop around and dont be afraid to pay a bit more for quality work.

[Lefty Dude]

Yes, it would be nice to find a qualified 'smith with a std reamer, and they are out there, I think. Also, for the same rental fee a smith can get any reamer you want. Remember, the accurracy of a barrel (given it is at least decently bored and rifled to start with) is all in the chamber reaming and mounting to the action.
Not everybody that hangs out a shingle can chamber a barrel correctly (and even the factories do it badly sometimes).
Shop around and dont be afraid to pay a bit more for quality work.

Try;

 David Van Horn   Gilbert, Arizona.