Looking at rechambering my 30-30 contender for 309jdj, anyone else have experience wit it?

I started a thread over in medium bore, but only got a few responses.

I have had a 309 since the mid 70's and it has been one of my favorites. Mine is also a rechamber of a factory 30-30 barrel. My barrel is a bit slower than a custom barrel from SSK industries but will run 150 grain bullets about 2450 fps. It will run 165 gr bullets at only 50 fps slower and I like the heavier bullet in the 309. The recoil is stout but I do not find it bad. I also have a 358JDJ which is the same case necked to 35 cal and the recoil WILL gat your attention. The 358 cal is a good elk round and the 309 is about as good as it gets for 30 caliber out of a contender

shortgun

thanks for the feedback shortgun!

I think I'm going to go for it.

The 309JD is my favorite SSK barrel. Its a SSK 14 inch stainless, non braked barrel and boy does it shoot. Two years ago I had 18 rounds of hunting ammo left so I shot it all up. I'm pushing a Nosler 165 gr ballistice tip at 2325 FPS and I'm one grain below max charge.




I shot this buck 6 years ago @ 150 yds with one shot.



I have two 375JDJ's. One 14 inch and one 16 1/4 inch. The recoil isn't bad but then it depends on how sensitive you are to recoil. I would go with the 309JDJ since bullets are much cheaper than 375 cal.

quote:

Originally posted by 33806whelen:
Looking at rechambering my 30-30 contender for 309jdj, anyone else have experience wit it?

I started a thread over in medium bore, but only got a few responses.

I don't have any experience with the 309 but years ago sent my bbl to Don Bower in Aurora Colorado and he rechambered it to what he called the "30 Alaskan". It basically is a 307 Winchester akley improved. It shoots well but I never had a chance to run it over a chrono. I did learn though that years ago T/C used a 6 groove 1 in 12" twist and I believe now uses an 8 groove 1 in 10". At least that's what my 30-30's are now. I shoot a 30-30 ack imp and it's about all I need in a 30 cal handgun. Hope this helps a little.

I have a T/C Contender carbine that was also rechambered from a 30-30 but I went with a 308Bellm which is fairly similar to the 309 JDJ in that it also uses 444 Marlin brass but is only necked down with 308 Win dies with no fire forming.

I am getting 2620fps from the 21" barrel with 150gr bullets and shot one of my largest mule deer with it this year, the shot was app 210 yards deer made it about 50 yards before piling up.

I just bought another Contender carbine a few weeks ago but this one came with a 375 Win barrel I have already called JD Jones and Mike Bellm about the 375JDJ and 375X444 cartridges and will be sending the barrel off to get it rechambered as well as soon as possible.

So I'm thinking that you need both barrels...

Sure Moki, throw me under the bus!

I was fondling a 375 H&H Sako yesterday, I think I'm getting bigboreitis!
I hate swapping barrels on the contenders, so then I'd have to buy another frame too.

My wife hasn't even met you and she doesn't like ya!
(don't feel too bad, she doesn't like me either!)

Thanks for the feedback guys. I will be sending the barrel to JD very soon. Just waiting on a check from work. I love how that compact little contender carries and shoots.

Although I am not an encore rifle fan I do have a 375JDJ custom barrel in an encore that will shoot all day under an inch at 100 meters. My buddy shot a big buck with it this past season using a barnes TSX and did a number on it. I have a 308 Bellm 2 that I can not get to shoot under an inch.

Mohunt other than the screws is your 308Bellm 2 forend touching the barrel at all?

I had the same problem until I placed a couple of washers between the fore end and the lugs on the barrel.

Shrunk my groups instantly after I did this.

I have 2 SSK 309's and a 375JDJ.One of my barrels has shot 3" at 260 yds and that's with me shooting it.My new barrel hasn't had many rounds shot in it yet but I can just about guarantee it will do better.The 375 has shot 1 1/2" at 100yds.

Moki,

I hear you, been through all the trick M. Bellm talks about. On this one it just did not work. I had the 1.5-2 1000's barrel to frame gap different pins trigger job etc.