Modding a 30-30 to Ackley Improved? Wanting advice.

TUK101 · 10-29-2007, 09:21 PM

I picked up a Savage 340 bolt action rifle chambered in 30-30 and have had a couple of people tell me that I should get it chambered to the Ackley Improved. I talked to a gunsmith today and he told me that it would cost about $150 for him to do it. Does this sound right? Why would it be so expensive? Isnt it just a matter of reaming out the chamber a bit? I am not doubting what he told me, but rather just kind of taken back a bit when I read that it was just a simple job. Is it even worth having done?

stalkingbear · 10-30-2007, 04:57 AM

What the deal is that he likely don't have the reamer and that's what the reamer costs,or pretty close. In actuality he's going to make very little on you-your paying for the reamer and people requesting this exact service is where his profit will come from. UNLESS you or him choose to rent a reamer. Reamer rental runs from 20$ to 40$.
The 30-30 AI is a excellent cartridge and gains at least 300 fps. If you decide to tackle it yourself,I'd be delighted to walk you thru it so that it'll turn out perfect. The way reamer rental works is you pay deposite (85$-120$) and when you send reamer back unhurt you'll get most of it back (less rental).
Neil Stalkingbear Sea seastalkingbear@yahoo.com

TUK101 · 10-30-2007, 08:05 AM

Stalkingbear, what you just said is pretty much what the gunsmith told me. I am going to check around at the other gunsmiths to see what they say too. If nothing else, I may try it myself, or just let the lil 30-30 be and use it as is.

stalkingbear · 10-30-2007, 10:38 AM

To save the most money,your best bet is to rent the "finishing" reamer-rougher reamer not needed to AI just 1-2 chambers. It's actually very easy to rechamber a bolt action rifle such as your 340. I'll be glad to help walk you thru it if you want to try it yourself. The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is attention to detail/precision.

TUK101 · 10-30-2007, 02:25 PM

Right, the last thing that I want to do is mess up a perfectly working and accurate gun. Is it something to where I would just clamp the gun in a vice and run the reamer with a drill at low speed?

stalkingbear · 10-30-2007, 03:22 PM

The ONLY way to do it correctly without a lathe is to use a T handle,go SLOWLY without force,letting pilot guide you,and go maybe 1/4-1/2 turn at a time before you turn backwards and pull out to remove shavings,adding PLENTY of oil.
Using T handle you'll feel everything,drill you can't feel.

TUK101 · 10-30-2007, 09:13 PM

So do you have to remove the barrel? Or is this pilot long enough to fit through the action?

stalkingbear · 10-31-2007, 01:50 AM

You do not need to remove barrel. The pilot is what's actually in bore to guide reamer and keep it centered in right direction/angle. You will however need to either buy or rent headspace gauges. What you do is put a extension handle in the reamer and use T handle on end. If you try to use ratchet,your chamber WILL be crooked.