I had a featherweight mod 70 in -06 that had me close my eyes as I snatched the trigger. Key words, had.

One other option to consider is the 375 Win and load it to 38-55 levels for recreation then have something extra if needed for hunting. If the action can manage 30-06 pressures, 375 Win is in the same range.

Just remember, the bigger groove diameter will make it lighter.

 

.30-06 case head diameter .4700"
.375 Winchester case head diameter .4200"
.35 Remington case head diameter .4580"
No rechambering here, chamber's already too big.

You'd be better off handloading the .30-06 down to .30-30 velocities with H 4895 or IMR 4895.

 

Tough one to rebore to a milder cartridge. May need to locate a new barrel in 30-30 maybe and have that bored out? Not sure what budget you are playing with and I know the idea is to keep the rifle and alter it but it may make more sense to move on from it and find a Handi Rifle you can enjoy shooting. Or a barrel for it. As you know they were offered in all kinds of calibesr that never were cataloged or brief short runs. A few years back one in 7x57 sat on GB forever and I kick myself for not buying it. I have one of the Target Classics in 38-55 with a heavy target barrel and it has zero recoil. It is a blast to shoot.

 

Might be cheaper just to get another single shot in 38-55.

 

Thanks, guys I may put it on the table and take that money shopping.
I like the rifle, it feels good. But I have a nice Savage 110L in 06, and I probably won't shoot this howitzer again.

 

Couple more pounds of scope and you will be good to go with the '06 . 👍 Load it down .

 

Never can have enough scope! LOL

 

Mike,

What about a 45-70 wildcat? Single shots allow longer OAL options for Fat, Heavy, Slow pils that would not cycle in a lever or bolt gun or lighter shorter bullets for shooting fun.

I can testify the 40-65 is a great cartridge. You can shoot 41 caliber pistol bullets (41 mag recoil) up to 400+ gr cast at black powder velocities (410-20 ga shotgun recoil), your choice. Starline runs batches for the case, cast and factory bullets are available, plus there are many powders options.

You will need to verify steel thickness is acceptabe at the muzzle with the larger groove diameter. However, there is a good change a 410 bore should work given the foundation you are working with.

40-65

 

Thanks pap, but I have decided to put the hammer on the table at this weekend's show and take that money and go shopping.
There are a lot of fish out there!!

 

I think you made the right decision.

 

Mike,
What will you use the rifle for ? I'm not too recoil sensitive but I can't see me wanting a Handi in '06 . My pap had an H&R in 45-70 years ago when I was young and wiry and I hated it even with light bullets and trapdoor pressure loads . If I could only have one rifle to hunt and target shoot with it would be a .243 . I bought one in 1969 thinking I probably wouldn't like it but figured at what I gave for it I couldn't get hurt when I sold it . That was 53 years and 5 more .243's ago and I still own that gun and the 4 others and shoot them religiously . Easy brass to find and easy enough to make from .308 brass . 34.5 grains of IMR 4320 and a 100 grain bullet geared to the animal being hunted will down most if not all North American game if you put the bullet in the right place or pass if you can't .

 

This is my favorite of all the safe.
1946 Spanish La Corona action, Parker Hale .308 sporter barrel. Timney trigger. Lyman 48 sight. Very pleasant to shoot, considering how much authority it has. 8 pounds empty.
Will eat just about anything I put in it. Not a tack driver, but rock solid out to 100 yards with my eyes.
I'm not going to take a shot past that anyway.

 

I think you’re making the right decision. Rechambering that rifle would be a big expense for a potentially unknown result. If you wanted to keep the rifle, obtaining a used barrel in a desired chambering would be easier and cheaper.

 

You can try chamber adapter they are probably an adapter for 30 cal. Pistol cartridges up. The best thing about a break open action the adapter slide in and out with on problem. I would get one in 30-30 and see how it goes.

 

I have several .30-30's, including a nice vintage .30-30 Handi-Rifle.
The .30-06 Handi is on the gunshow table as we speak. Funds will go toward doing something with a nice KAR 98A Mauser action I picked up.

 

Not to hijack, but I am finally finishing my VZ24 action that was barreled with a 24” tube and sitting in the white in a beautiful unfinished walnut stock for almost 30 years.

 

Photo's or it didn't happen!!LOL

 

Action is at gunsmith getting polished and blued. I will get a before picture of the stock before I start sanding and finishing.

 

Which direction style and cartridge wise are you going with that small ring 98a action?
I'm very jealous.......

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

 

Update on the $50 small ring action I bought.
The barrel that is screwed into it is a very nice inside and out, medium sporter(.770) 24" in .270.
Wouldn't have been my first choice, but after researching the cartridge I have decided to go with the .270 barrel that is there. At least for the moment.
A .270 will still make a fun iron sighted rifle.