I have a barrel that a friend gave me. It is a little rough on the outside, but is in mint shape down the bore. It will need to be refinished due to some surface rust and pitting. I was thinking of the possibility of changing the barrel from a .30-30 Win to an Ackley Improved. I have been reading on the advantages of the AI over the .30-30 Winchester.

First I would like to know how much it would cost to rechamber the barrel and also who does this sort of work. Should I even consider doing this or just go out an get another barrel in the AI caliber? What a difficult decision to make.

Any thoughts on this one?

Thanks,
Raf

i believe what i would do, is sell that barrel to generate funds to buy a NEW (possibly stainless) 30-30AI barrel from fox ridge outfitters, or possibly one of the custom makers such as OTT or VVCG.
i think by the time you pay for refinishing, and rechambering the current barrel, you could possibly do just as good by selling it and putting the funds toward a new barrel.
OTT(on target technologies)for example,will sell a custom 30-30AI in blue(matte finish, i think) for $250. i'm not sure of the prices of other makers, but this is reasaonable IMO.
VVCG(virgin valley custom guns) also makes a great lookin barrel. contact jeff stratton there to see how he can do ya on price.
i'm gonna guess you'd have $100 or more in refinishing, and rechambering the current barrel.
"ed's contenders" is a possible avenue also, but last i heard he didn't have any factory 30-30AI barrels in. worth a check though. i bought my 14" factory 30-30AI from ed's for $195, i think it was.
also, David White at http://www.bellmtcs.com/forum/index.php is doing 30-30AI work i believe. also worth a check into.

i keep thinkin of more, and more options. sorry to confuse you further, but there are several good routes to go.

And I'm going to throw some more at you. Gary Reeder turns the plan Jane 30-30 into his .30GNR in the Contender. He blows the case out with just enough neck to hold the bullet. Turns it into a real bad ass honking deer/elk round. But again you are looking at lots more than a new 30AI from Fox Ridge. Sure you will be the only kid on the block with a .30GNR thou gh.

Hey Crawfish, I gotta say that this is the first time I have ever heard of a .30 GNR. Can ya fill me in o this round? It sounds interesting.

Raf

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/information/GNR_cartridges.htm

check em out. gary reeder does several wildcats.

Allow me to suggest Mike Bellms 308 Bellm. Mine is a Bellm re-chamber of a 14"30/30 and it's a great shooter. Its easy to load for and has become my go-to pistol for most everything. Many guys on this board have them and have also given rave reviews. At 300 yards it's a hammer. Go to Mikes site and read up on it I think you'll like it. Jim...

I've got a barrel which Gary Reeder rechambered from 30/30 to .30 GNR. The work was done in in the time promised, and the accuracy of the barrel is better than before.

I wanted more velocity, and also wanted to get the chamber cleaned after a case separated on the second firing in the original chambering.

The caliber is quite a bit more powerful, and the recoil is still very manageable.

I would definitely do business with Gary again.

I had a Super 14 .30 Herrett that SSK Industries rechambered to the .30-30 Ackley Improved for me. They did a great job, the chamber turned out good, and if I remember correctly it was $75.00 + shipping and it took about 2 weeks.

125's at over 2600 FPS, and 150's at slightly over 2400 FPS.

SD Handgunner

Well folks it turns out that the .30-30 Win barrel I have been talking about is a keeper. It drills hole after hole in the same place time after time. I will not even consider having it refinished. It just shoots too good to touch it.

If I want an AI, I will go and buy a new barrel.

Raf