I am thinking of rechambering my 30-30 to a 309 JDJ..Is there any practical difference between the two for hunting?

Yes. A couple hundred FPS, depending upon bullet weight, for a significant difference in killing power.

No contest. The .309 is far superior. It's a 400 yd. deer round, not the .30-30.

Why not go with the 30-30AI (Ackley Improved) It will run with the 309JDJ with bullets weights up to 150 grains. You simply fireform 30-30 cartridges in your improved chamber. As a additional benefit you also get to shoot regular 30-30 ammo in a pinch.

quote:

Originally posted by WV Hitman:
No contest. The .309 is far superior. It's a 400 yd. deer round, not the .30-30.

+1 The 2 calibers are not even close in performance.

You can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear..

I wouldn't put that much imphases on 200 FPS in a lever action rifle like a 94 or Marlin 336..I have found the 30-30 a more than suitable deer rifle and it works well on elk up to 250 yards I suppose. That is about what I would expect out of a 309 JDJ

If I wanted more gun, I'd go to a Win. 95 in 30-06 or a 99 Savage in .308....

200 FPS equates to about 2400 FPS and that is not what I call a 400 yard gun. 400 yard guns start interesting me at 3000 FPS at the muzzle.

The 309 JDJ is ballistically speaking, almost the same as a .308 Win. I have personally taken a multitude of game with both rounds, from a handgun platform. The 309 can be chambered for a Contender, the .308 Win. from an Encore. You mentioned rechambering your 30-30; I am assuming you're referring to a Contender. If that's the case, the rechambering to a 309 JDJ would make a good choice for hunting.

Best of Hunting,
Mark Hampton

I had a Contender 12" TC hunter bbl in 30-30 and sent it off to SSK to make it into a 309 JDJ. Forming cartriges was very easy to do, just run a 444 case part way into a 308 win sizer, load and fireform.
Accuracy was great.
The Muzzle blast with the TC brake is terrible!!
Do not shoot it without hearing protection!!

I had some loaded ammo that the necks split in the ammo box after a few years of just sitting there. So it might be a good idea to aneal the necks after you fire form.