30-30 barrel length?
#65204
02/24/2010 2:18 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98
silly goose
OP
journeyman
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OP
journeyman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98 |
Yesterday I shot my new to me, contender 30-30,w/a 12" barrel including muzzle brake. This gun is a lot of fun. Very accurate, minimal recoil, and just a bit of muzzle blast. When I bought this, I thought it had a 14" barrel, which is what I wanted. Only saw pics and had it shipped in. I'm not unhappy with it, just wondering if those 4" of barrel are going to matter much in the hunting world. I don't have a chrony. If it makes that much difference, I'd just swap/sell until I picked up the 14". I shot some 125gr spitzers through it and she's shooting right about an inch at a hundred. I'm happy w/that. Thanks for any and all advice.
I went from pow to Boom. I love the BOOM!
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: silly goose]
#65208
02/24/2010 2:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,037
wtroper
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,037 |
I have never owned or chronographed a 10" or 12" (other than my 12" 300 Whisper). My uneducated thought would be to move up to a 14" in 30-30 --- especially if you ever wanted to make it AI. The 30-30 AI is pretty special.
Those with more experience will be along to give you better advice.
It's more important where you hit 'em, than what you hit 'em with.
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: silly goose]
#65218
02/24/2010 3:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
Four inches of barrel length will equate to about 300 FPS from 10" to 14" based on my exerience with the Waters. Within the spectrum of the 30-30 those 300 FPS can make a big difference in terminal energy and trajectory, but it still is an effective killer beyond 150 yards with the 125 Nosler BT.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: s4s4u]
#65220
02/24/2010 4:28 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 976
doc with a glock
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 976 |
goose,
It sounds like you have what T/C called the "hunter" barrel, 12" with a factory brake. They were made in both SS and blue. I've had the 35 Rem, 30-30 WCF, 7-30 Waters, 375 WCF in that configuration and haven't really noticed any great difference between those and the 14" barrels. I've rechambered the 30-30 to 309 JDJ, the 35 Rem to 358 JDJ, and the 7-30 Waters to the 7-30 JDJ.
Doc
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: s4s4u]
#65221
02/24/2010 4:33 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98
silly goose
OP
journeyman
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OP
journeyman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98 |
Thanks guys. I'm crazy about the 30-30, I know there are "better" cartridges out there, or so they say.... I intend to use this for whitetails, and my feeling is that I'd be better off w/the 14" for overall performance. I would think 300fps is pretty substantial in the performance range were talking here(echoing s4s4u). Anybody with more experience please chime in, I'm soaking it up.
I went from pow to Boom. I love the BOOM!
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: silly goose]
#65232
02/24/2010 12:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725
500WE
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725 |
I have owned a 14" T/C barrel since they were introduced in 1978. I also owned a 10" barrel for several years. I've lost any data I had on the 10", but i believe there was about a 200 fps + difference with the loads I was using. I very much prefer the 14", personally.
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: 500WE]
#65235
02/24/2010 12:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300
MS Hitman
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300 |
Guess I am the lone dissenting voice, but why don't you try the barrel before scrapping it for a 14" tube? There are bullets designed for the .30 caliber rounds in handgun barrel lengths. I wouldn't sweat the 200-300 fps difference between the barrel lengths, nor would I waste a second worrying about any drop in kinetic energy as this is just a magic number used for selling larger cartridges to the uninitiated (Pondoro Taylor's thoughts and I concur).
Slowing the ballistic tip bullets down a bit slows expansion and allows for extra penetration. Hornady makes a single shot pistol bullet that has performed well on deer for me.
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: 500WE]
#65242
02/24/2010 2:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331
TCTex.
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331 |
I have owned a 14" T/C barrel since they were introduced in 1978. I also owned a 10" barrel for several years. I've lost any data I had on the 10", but i believe there was about a 200 fps + difference with the loads I was using. I very much prefer the 14", personally. That is what my books list. I did a bunch of research on the 30-30 when I was working on my 30-30AI. That 10-14 in march is very sensitive to vel vs. burn. IMHO
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb Benjamin Franklin
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: TCTex.]
#65252
02/24/2010 8:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 570
huntkng
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 570 |
I've owned both the 10" and 14" in 30-30. I replaced the 10" 30-30 with a 10" 30 Herrett; and never looked back. In my opinion the 14" is a much better choice for the 30-30. In the 10" the blast was pretty significant and recoil was right at my limits. It seemed to be a pussycat with the 14". Neither of mine had a brake.
Bill in OR
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: huntkng]
#65284
02/25/2010 2:17 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,434
H2OBUG
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,434 |
I like the way the shorter barrel handles. If you load a 125 NBT or a 130 SSPB you will have no problem with the shorter barrel. Try a powder like H4895 and it might suprise you how well the short tube does. I like the old 14" too but it is much harder to shoot off hand. This is from day gone by 14" 30-30 contender http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1043&ppuser=2724
If it jams force it! If it breaks it needed replacing anyway.
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: H2OBUG]
#65289
02/25/2010 3:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
Agreed on the handling ability of the short tube. I have cut a couple of 14" barrels right behind the front sight holes, which leaves them just a hair over 12" finished. I find that length still offers good handling without the drastic velocity loss of the 10.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: s4s4u]
#65350
02/26/2010 3:19 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 210
muddydog
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 210 |
Back when I shot TC I prefered the 10" barrels. Shoot a good bullet designed for a handgun and put it where it needs to be and the shorter barrel will do fine at any range a 30-30 should be shot.
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: silly goose]
#65396
02/26/2010 10:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 18
Lanyard Stretcher
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 18 |
Goose, I have that same barrel. It carrys great and is easy to shoot off as well as off a rest. Ballistically it still a .30/30 which means to me you get as close as possible to the critter you are hunting. My tube likes heavy bullets or those that are loaded to just shy of the lands. My favorite load was a 135 Sierra with a warm load of H335. Just about an inch at a hundred with my 2x scope. I have since found a use for the 30/30 as a bunny gun with a downloaded 110 Speer HP. Keep the tube and wring it out for all it's worth then decide if you need a 14 incher. Mike
Fire for EFFECT!!!!
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: Lanyard Stretcher]
#65410
02/27/2010 1:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98
silly goose
OP
journeyman
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OP
journeyman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98 |
Fair enough, when it stops snowing, time to start playing. Thanks guys. And great pic by the way.
I went from pow to Boom. I love the BOOM!
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: silly goose]
#66375
03/14/2010 1:28 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98
silly goose
OP
journeyman
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OP
journeyman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98 |
Just an update. Been playing out in the woods and fields. I have been taking cardboard silhouettes of deer into the woods and fields and practicing field shooting positions. Under 100 yards is simply no more fun. Yesterday I tried 4 shots at appx 150 yards holding dead on. 3 rounds went into 1 5/8" about 2" lower than where I held. And I dropped one round(about 5") into the front leg. Yes, that one spoiled my mood, even though the other three, I was quite pleased with. I don't think I would shoot this far if I was hunting, I am just airing it out and enjoying myself. I am enjoying this barrel, still just a bit concerned about terminal ballistics.
I went from pow to Boom. I love the BOOM!
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Re: 30-30 barrel length?
[Re: silly goose]
#66382
03/14/2010 2:44 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 178
geojanitor
member
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member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 178 |
I would just keep practicing. The 30-30 is a "rifle" caliber in a pistol and think it will have plenty of power, even in a 10" tube, as long as your do your part and are familiar with your rig and capabilities.
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