30-30 Ackley

pyscodog

Active member
No, I didn't buy one. But I am curious if any of you have got one, shot one, seen one or know somebody that does or has? Just thinking it would be cool to have one in a falling block or something single shot.
pyscodog
thumbup.gif
 
Keith, I wish I had a good answer for ya. Just thought it might be kinda cool,... maybe??? I got this book that was published way way back and it had the 30-30 AI in the wildcat section and I was reading about it and a bunch of other wildcats. The 30-30 just kinda ran through my head, so I thought I would post and see what kinda respose it got. Cartridges of the World,published in like 1975, really a neat book. I read it all the time. Its got stuff I never heard of.
 
It's KEN
grin.gif


Yeah, that is a good book. I guess my thinking is there are more .30s out theare than just about anything. And so many that would still better the 30-30 AI. 300 savage, etc.

Build yourself a 348 AI. Then you would be ULTRA cool.......
thumbup1.gif
 
The neck of the 30-30 is so long it screams for the Ackley treatment. Adds some speed to a generally modest cartridge. Looks cool too.

220px-.30-30_Improved.JPG
 
I guess I don't see the point unless it was in a bolt, 99 Savage, or BLR. That bullet would be dangerous in anything that was tube feed.
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunIt's KEN
grin.gif


Yeah, that is a good book. I guess my thinking is there are more .30s out theare than just about anything. And so many that would still better the 30-30 AI. 300 savage, etc.

Build yourself a 348 AI. Then you would be ULTRA cool.......
thumbup1.gif


Isn't this like saying a 223 AI isn't worth it, since there's already a 22-250 or 220 Swift? Or 17 Hornet AI vs. 17 rem., etc., etc. Me thinks our addictions need not have logical reason so much as to be fed.

Originally Posted By: MPFDI guess I don't see the point unless it was in a bolt, 99 Savage, or BLR. That bullet would be dangerous in anything that was tube feed.

"Just thinking it would be cool to have one in a falling block or something single shot." That's what he said. Besides, with the Hornady Leverevolution bullets out for reloading now, it is a moot point.

Dogtired &/or Psycodog: Could you guys share a bit of info on the performance of the 30-30AI?? It kinda intrigued me to as a future project. Can it be reliably extracted from a lever gun with little to no body taper??

Thanx.
 
Sorry Ken- Had a brain fart!
Maybe a 6MM/30-30 Improved-75grain pill@3450fps
30-30Ackley-100 grain@2750, not to speedy
This books so old, its got a 338 Lapua Magnum in the Wildcat section.LOL
 
Originally Posted By: Mike BMe thinks our addictions need not have logical reason so much as to be fed.

You definitely got me there, Mike.
thumbup.gif
Good quote, and I definitely am an addict and a victim
laugh.gif


Don't get me wrong, there is a coolness factor to wildcats. With the 223AI it is more of a performance/efficiency thing. With the 30/30, it is coolness and nothing more.

For myself, personally, if I'm gonna spend my time on a wildcat, it gonna have to do something special, or just be real uncommon. My last WC was a 6mm-06. I liked it enough to burn out a barrel and would probably build one again.

Nothing wrong with the 30-30 Ackley. Just wouldn't be my first choice.

Matter of fact, don't know what my first choice would be at this point in my life.
blushing.gif
 
I could dig a 348 AI, just cuz the 348 is a HAMMER and screams cool.

An Ackleyrized 35 Colonel would be another good one.

A K-Hornet could be cool, but maybe no cooler than a 30-30AI, I guess..........
 
now a 6mm/30/30 in a nice contender would be something to play with. build the round then reem the chamber to match. seat that bullet wayyyyyy out there make plenty of room for powder.
 
Todd Kindler for those who know him built a series of cases called the "Classic" series. They ranged from 17 to 6mm, they were a bit shorter to capitalize on fast powders and the Ruger #1. They are some nice rounds but the thing is...........custom dies
frown.gif
For those who don't reload or enjoy spending 250$ on dies the 30-30AI or Classic isn't a good choice. But for those who do, it's a great cartridge and offers a really strong rim and some accurate ammo in the #1 frame. Adam
 
I had a 30-30AI back in the 1980's in a Thompson Contender 14" barrel for metallic silhouette shooting. Today I was looking at dies from CH4D and happened to notice that they have the 30-30AI dies for $82

CH4D makes good dies and I have always had good luck getting dies directly from them in a timely manner.
 
Originally Posted By: 22-250ohionow a 6mm/30/30 in a nice contender would be something to play with. build the round then reem the chamber to match. seat that bullet wayyyyyy out there make plenty of room for powder.

I have just such gun. On a Contender platform a 6mm 30/30 AI makes all kinds of sense. Probably about all you can squeeze from a Contender in 6mm and its an excellent coyote/prairie dog/antelope round. Mine will send a 58 gr. Vmax down the tube and out at around 3400 fps and an 85 gr. Sierra to 2900. Not earth shaking but for a youth center fire rifle its the cats pjs. Same could be said for the 30/30 AI........
 
Last edited:
I have a 13" .30-30 AI barrel for my Contender, made by MGM. It's an inredibly accurate barrel that flat sings with 125 grain Nosler BTs. I've shot several antelope with it that never knew what hit them. As shown in the above photo, you do gain considerable case capacity by giving this old cartridge P.O.'s treatment. I haven't had the opportunity to run AI and non-AI loads over the chrono though, so can't comment on respective velocities. I can say that little 125 grainer shoots pretty flat and hits pretty hard for what it is. Sure, you don't want to feed pointed bullets into a tubular magazine, but for single shots, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with the .30-30 AI. I bought Hornady dies for about $35 a couple years ago.
 
I have a Contender carbine barrel in .30-30 AI that shoots really well with both 150 grain Hornadys and 125 Nosler BTs. I bought it new in factory blister pack for $160. That was way less than a conventional .30-30 barrel. I was looking for a small, light youth/carry rifle and it certainly fits the bill.

Reloading for it is simple and brass forms easily with hunting loads. Cases don't seem to grow. I have not needed to trim any AI cases yet. The kid I intended to let use the rifle got his own .243 youth rifle last year, so I haven't shot a deer with it yet. I plan to carry it a lot this season.

The bottom line is that I just like being different. I also have a .22K Hornet and a .30 Herrett.
 
a superb TC contender round!!!


.30-30 Ackley Improved (T/C Contender Super 14"-15" barrel) Data from various sources and various barrels. MAX percieved by different folks. work up safely in your own firearm.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
110gr Hornady V-MAX / 35.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2700 FPS
110gr Hornady V-MAX / 37.0grs. A.A.2015BR = 2700 FPS
110gr Speer Round nose / 34.0grs. RL-7 "not chrono'd yet"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
125gr Nosler BT / 34.5grs. H-4198SC = 2689 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 34.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2683 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 34.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2627 FPS

125gr Nosler BT / 33.5grs. IMR-4198 = 2617 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. A.A.2520 = 2560 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 36.0grs. A.A.2015BR = 2550 FPS

125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. A.A.2230 = 2507 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 36.0grs. H-322 = 2498 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. IMR-3031 = 2480 FPS

125gr Nosler BT / 37.0grs. IMR-3031 = 2375 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 41.5grs. W-748 = 2473 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. A.A.4064 = 2434 FPS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
130gr Hornady SSP / /33.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2588 FPS
130gr Hornady S.P. / 38.0grs. A.A.2520 = 2520 FPS

130gr Hornady SSP / 36.5grs. H-4895 = 2490 FPS
130gr Speer Flat Nose/38.0grs. H-335 = 2486 FPS

130gr Berger H.P. / 35.0grs. A.A.2015BR = 2371 FPS
130gr Berger H.P. /36.0grs. H-322 = 2346 FPS

130gr Berger H.P. /36.5grs. IMR-4895 = 2257 FPS
130gr Berger H.P. /35.0grs. H-322 = 2245 FPS
130gr Hornady SP /34.0grs RL-10x = 2450fps
130gr Hornady SP /36.0grs. RL-10x = 2580fpsMax. load
------------------------------------------------------------------------
135gr Sierra SSP / 33.5grs. IMR-4198 = 2517 FPS
135gr Sierra SSP /33.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2488 FPS
135gr Sierra SSP /38.5grs. IMR-4895 = 2435 FPS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
150gr Speer / 36.0gr.s IMR-3031 = 2450 FPS
150gr Nosler BT / 36.0grs. IMR-3031 = 2437 FPS
150gr Hornady / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2416 FPS

150gr Speer Flat Point / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2410 FPS
150gr Sierra / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2396 FPS
150gr Hornady S.P. / 38.5grs. Reloader15 = 2390 FPS

150gr Hornady S.P. / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2380 FPS
150gr Speer Mag Tip / 37.0grs. H-335 = 2372 FPS
150gr Hornady / 36.5grs. W-748 = 2370 FPS

150gr Hornady SST / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2369 FPS
150gr Rem PSPCL / 35.0grs. H-322 = 2350 FPS
150gr Hornady S.P. / 37.5grs. A.A.4064 = 2350 FPS

150gr Rem PSPCL / A.A.2520 35.5gr = 2340 FPS
150gr Rem Core-Lockt / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2311 FPS
150gr Hornady S.P. / 33.0grs. Re-7 = 2350 FPS
150gr Nosler bt / 37.5 - 40.0grs Varget = 2350-2400fps
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165gr Hornady B.T.S.P. / 34.0grs. IMR-4895 = 2255 FPS
165gr Speer Spt.B.T. / 34.0grs. IMR-4895 = 2240 FPS
165gr Hornady B.T.S.P. / 31.0grs. Re-7 = 2126 FPS
 
Originally Posted By: KYODEa superb TC contender round!!!


.30-30 Ackley Improved (T/C Contender Super 14"-15" barrel) Data from various sources and various barrels. MAX percieved by different folks. work up safely in your own firearm.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
110gr Hornady V-MAX / 35.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2700 FPS
110gr Hornady V-MAX / 37.0grs. A.A.2015BR = 2700 FPS
110gr Speer Round nose / 34.0grs. RL-7 "not chrono'd yet"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
125gr Nosler BT / 34.5grs. H-4198SC = 2689 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 34.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2683 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 34.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2627 FPS

125gr Nosler BT / 33.5grs. IMR-4198 = 2617 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. A.A.2520 = 2560 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 36.0grs. A.A.2015BR = 2550 FPS

125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. A.A.2230 = 2507 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 36.0grs. H-322 = 2498 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. IMR-3031 = 2480 FPS

125gr Nosler BT / 37.0grs. IMR-3031 = 2375 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 41.5grs. W-748 = 2473 FPS
125gr Nosler BT / 38.0grs. A.A.4064 = 2434 FPS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
130gr Hornady SSP / /33.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2588 FPS
130gr Hornady S.P. / 38.0grs. A.A.2520 = 2520 FPS

130gr Hornady SSP / 36.5grs. H-4895 = 2490 FPS
130gr Speer Flat Nose/38.0grs. H-335 = 2486 FPS

130gr Berger H.P. / 35.0grs. A.A.2015BR = 2371 FPS
130gr Berger H.P. /36.0grs. H-322 = 2346 FPS

130gr Berger H.P. /36.5grs. IMR-4895 = 2257 FPS
130gr Berger H.P. /35.0grs. H-322 = 2245 FPS
130gr Hornady SP /34.0grs RL-10x = 2450fps
130gr Hornady SP /36.0grs. RL-10x = 2580fpsMax. load
------------------------------------------------------------------------
135gr Sierra SSP / 33.5grs. IMR-4198 = 2517 FPS
135gr Sierra SSP /33.0grs. IMR-4198 = 2488 FPS
135gr Sierra SSP /38.5grs. IMR-4895 = 2435 FPS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
150gr Speer / 36.0gr.s IMR-3031 = 2450 FPS
150gr Nosler BT / 36.0grs. IMR-3031 = 2437 FPS
150gr Hornady / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2416 FPS

150gr Speer Flat Point / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2410 FPS
150gr Sierra / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2396 FPS
150gr Hornady S.P. / 38.5grs. Reloader15 = 2390 FPS

150gr Hornady S.P. / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2380 FPS
150gr Speer Mag Tip / 37.0grs. H-335 = 2372 FPS
150gr Hornady / 36.5grs. W-748 = 2370 FPS

150gr Hornady SST / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2369 FPS
150gr Rem PSPCL / 35.0grs. H-322 = 2350 FPS
150gr Hornady S.P. / 37.5grs. A.A.4064 = 2350 FPS

150gr Rem PSPCL / A.A.2520 35.5gr = 2340 FPS
150gr Rem Core-Lockt / 36.5grs. IMR-3031 = 2311 FPS
150gr Hornady S.P. / 33.0grs. Re-7 = 2350 FPS
150gr Nosler bt / 37.5 - 40.0grs Varget = 2350-2400fps
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165gr Hornady B.T.S.P. / 34.0grs. IMR-4895 = 2255 FPS
165gr Speer Spt.B.T. / 34.0grs. IMR-4895 = 2240 FPS
165gr Hornady B.T.S.P. / 31.0grs. Re-7 = 2126 FPS




Seems the 30-30 AI picks up about 300 fps at peak over the factory 30-30. That's a bunch more than the 223 AI picks up over it's factory counterpart - 2 to 3x's as much. In a carbine bbl., that'd start to push a 308 Win. from behind!
 
Last edited:


Write your reply...
Back
Top