Agree...Thanks Ray...

Jon

I have a H&R Handi-rifle (30/30) I'm considering "improving". I've never reamed an improved chamber. The 30/30AI has most or all of the taper removed so the reamer will start cutting long before the pilot reaches the bore. Is this ok? I would be doing the project on a lathe so with a good concentric set-up I suppose the origional 30/30 chamber can guide the reamer until the pilot reaches the bore. Is this how it's done? And, how the heck could this be done by hand (no lathe) without getting an out-of-round chamber?
Comments appriciated. Thanks...

To answer your question, yes, the original chamber will guide it in. I would however check the original first. No point in adding to an existing problem.The only proper way to chamber is in a lathe, a lathe that has been properly set up for chambering, not a machine shop lathe that is a production lathe.

Chambering should be approached as delicate work, not "hog it out and get done". Not trying to insult anyone, but it is different than normal lathe work.

I had a 12" 30-30 Hunter barrel that was pretty accurate, and bought a reamer for 30-30AI. I practiced on a 10" T/C 6 groove barrel with great results. So I went ahead and used it on the 12" barrel without a problem. It is long enough to align itself with the bore. It really is a fine barrel!

I did that because I was having trouble finding someone to do it for me. Now that I know of a few people that can do that work I will be having another longer barrel rechambered by a professional, and without a muzzle brake.

The 10" barrel is a lot of fun to shoot too. It's definitly an improvement over it's original chambering.

Good Luck with your decision!

To get a true AI chamber the way Mr. Ackley designed it,the barrel must be set back and rechambered.Headspace is set .004" shorter than the parent case so as to achieve the so called "crush fit" which results in a perfect fireformed case.By there design,Handi rifles can't be set back.

RayO,
That would be true for a cartridge that head spaces on the shoulder, or more correctly, the neck/shoulder datum line when fired in an improved chamber. The 30-30 head spaces on the rim so there would be no need to set back the barrel. All that is needed is to make sure reamer is properly aligned with the bore and run it into the chamber (carefully).
Elk Country

Thanks for the very useful comments.
I've done a few "regular" chambers that came out well but was unsure how to proceed without the pilot actually in contact with the bore.
As for setting the Handi-Rifle barrel back (which of course cannot be done)...why not get that ".004" shorter headspace" by carefully reaming the last .015" or so and while still in the lathe fit the receiver, check with feeler gauges, ream a little more, etc. until correct?
Thanks again for the replys...
Jon

Jon

You are not going to get a "crush" fit when rechambering a 30-30 to an Ackley Improved. The Ackley shoulder is quite a bit forward of the 30-30 shoulder resulting in a shorter neck. That's one of the advantages to a 30-30 Ackley. Run the reamer in until you are just a couple of thou short of the existing recess for the rim. The rim is the proper headspace point for the 30-30 Ackley.

Good luck

Ray