I am looking at buying a 10" 30/30 barrel for my Contender. What should I be aware of; I'll be shooting factory ammo. I've read that some barrels had different twist rates and something else to look out for. This barrel is new from a second party.

Thanks,
Ric

PS: I am no longer lurking in the background!

Ric
I can only tell you about my experience with T/C 30-30 Barrel. I first have to tell you I bought it with the intention of having it rechambered to 308 Bellm. It was a new 14" hunter barrel. It turned out the chamber was off center. I never shot it as 30-30 but might have had a problem if I did. This might be something to be aware of.

Here is the Url on my barrel if you are interested in checking out further http://www.bellmtcs.com/FAQ/Rich_Jake.htm

One other thing you might want to consider the length of the barrel might not be optimum for velocity. You may want to think about a 14" barrel.

Rich Jake

[ 04-10-2003, 22:06: Message edited by: Rich Jake ]

The older .30/30 barrels had a throat in them, and if half way centered and had a good crown, shot pretty well.

If per chance the used .30/30 barrel you buy has a 6 groove barrel, it will have a 1-14" twist, which can be marginal for accuracy with 150 gr. bullets..... though there is evidence to the contrary in custom or customized barrels with 1-14" twists that handle bullets heavier than would be expected of them. It is presumed that TC dropped the 1-14" twist due to accuracy problems with 150 gr. and heavier bullets, but it is my conjecture that accuracy problems were more a function of the off-center chambers cut on a drill press.

The 8 groove barrels are 1-10" twist, but at some point the intelligence at TC elected to use reamers that have no throat section on them. The barrels with no throats can't be expected to shoot much under about 2" groups, as I gather it, and based on work done by Don Shearer testing one.

If per chance you find a .30/30 with an 8 groove barrel AND a throat in it, it should be a better choice..... again assuming it has a decent crown.

Two major points. Regardless of whether the barrel has 6 grooves or 8, it must have a throat if you expect it to group well, and it must have a minimally decent crown, not one that is irregular and lopsided like so many barrels have been throughout TC's production.

If the throat is visually off-center from the bore, I would pass on it. The article referred to below will guide you.

My opinion is that .30/30 is a poor choice for a 10" barrel. .30 Herrett is much better, but I understand the need/desire to shoot factory ammo and the handling qualities of a shorter barrel.

I suggest taking a S-14 barrel and lopping it off at 12" and recrowning it with a good, cleanly cut, centered crown.

The two extra inches of barrel make quite a difference in situations like this, and the shorter barrel handles much better than the full 14" length.

If you have not seen it, read "Chamber Throats 101" on my site, www.bellmtcs.com for a better understanding of throats and how important this much overlooked aspect really is.

On the plus side, the .30/30s are not too desireable in general and thus do not usually bring very high prices. They frequently go for well under $150, often closer to $100 and sometimes less. So, don't pay a premium price to the first pond scum pawnshop for one.

Also, I would avoid the octagon barrels like the plague. They are too light and pretty worthless..... but the do go bang, so they can't be totally bad..... even the worst is wonderful, right?

Mike

In my "uneducated" opinion...I've had three 30-30 Winchester barrels have all shot well. One was a 10", one was 12", and my current is a S-14. With various handloads using 125gr and 130gr bullets all shot under 1.5" at 100 yards without trouble. The S-14 also shoots 150gr bullets into 1" at 100 yards. I've never fired a factory round through them so I can not speak for on their performance.

If you could find a so called "undesireable" 30-30 Winchester S-14 for under $150...let me know! I snap it up in a heartbeat...for a .309JDJ rechamber.

DanB
What kind of velocities were you getting from you 10" barrel? I'm curious how it compares to the 300 Whisper. Also was the 12" barrel the best compromise on both barrel length & velocity?
Rich Jake