Reboring Handi-Rifle 30/30 to ???

maybe the .356 Winchester
..

I have an original 375 and a 336 that was born a 30-30 and rebored to 38-55. I don't cast lead bullets and shoot almost all jacketed through them. They are both great but If I could only keep one, it would be the 375. You can load it down slow as the 38-55, but if you wanna pump it up, you can. The shortage of H4198 is a bit of a challenge, but I have developed H4895 target loads for both and I keep the H4198 loads for hunting.

I woud stick with 30/30 as it really does not get much better than that for mist uses. Would make a good foul weather rifle.

Make it worth the effort. .375 Win!

I bought one about 7 or 8 years ago to do the same thing. I was going with 375 Winchester, but only got as far as replacing a poorly fitted synthetic stock with a new laminate stock I got of ebay. As time passed I lost interest to other projects and came to the conclusion it was just fine the way it was, still 30-30. I have tossed around the idea of working with some spire point .308's just to see what I come up with. My opinion would be to go with the 375 if you're gonna do it.

I think the best idea would be to sell the spare 30/30 barrel to me to go with my 45/70 handi!

I don’t think you’ll lose anything by keeping it a 30/30, but if you’re absolutely set on reboring it, my vote would be the 375win.

Having owned Marlins in .375 (4 of them) and in .356 (two 336ERs) I'd make it a .356. I believe that it would need to be a SB2 receiver for the factory pressures of both the .356 & .375.

Personally I would sell the barrel and either buy a different barrel or just move on. Reboring will likely cost as much as the barrel is worth anyway.

Have you benched it yet? If not try it, you'll be surprised at the accuracy. The 30/30 is one of the best in an H&R out of the box. I'm set up to reload mine, but it shoots factory Remington 170 gr Core Lokts so well I haven't messed with it.

kingstrider said:

Personally I would sell the barrel and either buy a different barrel or just move on. Reboring will likely cost as much as the barrel is worth anyway.

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I was under the impression that Handi Rifle barrels were not interchangeable universally as the T/C Encore and Contedor systems are. This barrel was actually an accessory barrel I ordered from NEF after sending the receiver in for them to fit and headspace the 30/30 barrel.

Is that usually not required and are the barrels interchangeable without fitting?

Thanks.

Joe

EncoreJoe said:

I was under the impression that Handi Rifle barrels were not interchangeable universally as the T/C Encore and Contedor systems are. This barrel was actually an accessory barrel I ordered from NEF after sending the receiver in for them to fit and headspace the 30/30 barrel.

Is that usually not required and are the barrels interchangeable without fitting?

Thanks.

Joe

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It's hit or miss. I'd say on average there's a 25%-30% chance of no fitting needed. My 30/30 barrel locked right up on my 280 frame. Some barrels need a shim, others need filing.

My dad purchased a muzzleloader barrel and a 308win barrel for his handi rifle originally chambered in 223. Each time he sent it in to have it fitted. Once they were fitted he could interchange the barrels as he needed.

338/06 or 35 Whelen, load to max pressure, or load lighter....covers a lot of big game ground. A JES rechamber and rebore is not so expensive.

How about 309 JDJ?

I have a handi-rifle in 35 Whelen, a 336ER in 356, and owned a 94 in 375. I’d go 35 Whelen. Increase in range and power with the Whelen is significant.

EncoreJoe said:

Hello all.

I've got a Handi-rifle that I purchased in 2001 with an extra 30-30 Win barrel.

I've already got a Marlin 336 in 30-30 so I'm thinking to rebore to another caliber for fun and deer and hog hunting.

I'm set up to reload 375 Winchester so that is one option.

I know 38-55 is an option and 35-30/30 is an intriguing option too but I'd need to see about reloading dies for that.

Do I have other options for reboring that use the same rim as 30/30? Opinions welcomed, thanks!

Joe

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You might want to consider giving Jesse at JES reboring a call and ask his opinion on a rebore. The last reboring that I did on a Browning BLR (.308-.358) it cost me $225-250 returned. There’s also a couple of Turnbull cartridges out there as well. Im certain that you have enough barrel diameter to rebore to any caliber, my only big question would be that of any feeding issues with whatever cartridge you decide upon? Im probably going to get beat up here, but im just not a fan of the .375 Winchester, but do prefer the .307 or .356 but im not certain if the action will hold those pressures? I think that when these cartridges came out Winchester built a rifle with a reinforced/larger receiver.

I currently own 38-55s, 375, and a 35-30/30 honestly not a lot of difference in them in a strong action.