eldeguello

IMO, there is not enough of a difference between theAI version over the standard .30/'06 to justify the cost of rechambering. (Many will argue with this, of course!!) However, the .30 Gibbs is another proposition entirely! But first, just for the record, let me state that the Gibbs line of cartidge (great, much-maligned and overlooked cartridges!!) ARE a pain-a lot of work, and should only be fooled withby people that really enjoy working with rifles and cartridge-people who enjoy handloading and chronographing ammo, who are looking for real performance.

You cannot SAFELY fire standard ammo in a Gibbs chamber, like you can with an AI chamber. You MUST neck the brass up ro .338" or .35 caliber first, then neck part of the neck (first 0.25" of it) back down with the die adjusted to give a "false shoulder" for a real "feel" when closing the bolt, so headspace is correct before you fireform the case. After that chore, however, you will be rewarded with a rifle that will at least equal if not surpass the performanc level of rounds like the .300 WSM! For example, a .30 Gibbs with a 26" barrel will fire a 180 grain bullet at almost3100 FPS, and come very close to 2900 with a 200-grain bullet.

I've never had a .30 Gibbs. But I once had a 6.5 Gibbs, and it was nearly equal to the .264 Win. Mag., using 10 grains less powder! If I ever do another Gibbs, it will be the .338 Gibbs.

All Gibbs cartridges are identical-same case, different neck diameters. cases have necks 0.25" long, and 35-degree shoulders.