.30-.30 to .356 Winchester Conv.?

Bloodnativ · 03-05-2004, 05:25 PM

Is it possible to convert a Winchester 94AE (30-30) to .356 Win. with just a barrel change? Will it handle the higher pressures of the .356? The case dimensions differ only VERY slightly so I don't think there will have to be any internals changed. I am already going to rebarrel it to .307 Win. and would like to try the .356 too. I may also try the .375 Win. but that will be later.

thndrchiken · 03-05-2004, 08:19 PM

I regularly shoot my 150's out of my 307, the recoil is mild to say the least, move up to 170's or 180's and it's a totally different animal recoil wise that is. What are you planning on hunting? Honestly I wouldn't feel undergunned on a black bear or elk hunt with the 307 shooting 170 gr Hornady flat points. The 307 is just about a handload only proposition now, I've only found 3 places that still have any stock of the winchester 180 gr factory loads. Take my advise and invest in a Pachmayer Decellerator pad.

akbound · 03-06-2004, 05:12 AM

Hi Bloodnativ,

I owned a .356 Winchester Model 94AE Big Bore for years, (I gave it to my brother as a gift). It's a very good round.....though it wasn't much of a commercial success.

That rifle had the back of the receiver area considerably "beefed up" compared to the standard rifles chambered for .30-30. And that was done on the .307 Winchester and the .375 Winchester models as well. USRAC increased the strength of the receiver on their 94's, specifically for those three cartridges, because they did not believe the standard model would handle the increase in pressure well!

I do not know if the standard 94 will handle the pressure or not! But I would consult a "very competent" gunsmith prior to making the conversion "as is". It could result in a dangerous situation. (Look at the difference in receivers between the standard 94's.....and those chambered in the above three mentioned cartridges.)

Good luck with your decision!

Dave

frizzellr · 03-07-2004, 07:42 PM

I think about the best you can hope for on that conversion wise is 30-30 Ackley Improved. It will give you a modest velocity increase with little to no increase in chamber pressure.

eldeguello · 03-08-2004, 08:21 PM

It WOULD NOT be safe to use a standard M94 for a .307 or a .356 conversion. You'd have to use the Big Bore receiver, like those on the .375 Win. rifles.