Rem 788 .30-30 to .30-30AI?

17 February 2011, 23:50

taylorce1

Will it work to convert a M788 Rem to a .30-30AI as far as feeding issues? I know it will work as a single shot but I want it to feed from the magazine. I'm just thinking of having a new barrel installed on my 788 running the same factory contour but using the AI chambering. Anyone done this to one of these old Remington rifles?

18 February 2011, 00:50

theback40

Why have a new barrel put on, is the old one bad? The straightline feed of a 788 mag should be no problem. If you are worried I can send you some imp cases and you can try them.

18 February 2011, 01:54

taylorce1

quote:
Originally posted by theback40:
Why have a new barrel put on, is the old one bad? The straightline feed of a 788 mag should be no problem. If you are worried I can send you some imp cases and you can try them.

I don't know why the new barrel. I guess I just thought I could put it back on at a later date if these rifles saw a surge in price. They already demand a premium for the 788's on GB and other auction sites. I guess they have a cult following.

I just lucked into this one at a reasonable price. Plus it came with a Leupold M8 4x on it. Sending you a PM about getting som imp cases to try. Thanks!!!

18 February 2011, 03:23

theback40

PM sent back. You may have a point with keeping the original barrel. I have found case life quite good when kept at levergun pressures, no doubt you could use them up faster if pushed from a 788. I have 788's in 222, .308 and 22/250 and havent found the rear lugs cause undo case stretch within reasonable pressure ranges. But the .375 brass is tougher, I use them for my 25/35 imp and they last a long time.

18 February 2011, 04:28

Bobster

quote:
Originally posted by taylorce1:
quote:
Originally posted by theback40:
Why have a new barrel put on, is the old one bad? The straightline feed of a 788 mag should be no problem. If you are worried I can send you some imp cases and you can try them.

I don't know why the new barrel. I guess I just thought I could put it back on at a later date if these rifles saw a surge in price. They already demand a premium for the 788's on GB and other auction sites. I guess they have a cult following.

I just lucked into this one at a reasonable price. Plus it came with a Leupold M8 4x on it. Sending you a PM about getting som imp cases to try. Thanks!!!

I wouldn't touch the original. The .30-.30 is one of the most rare. There is indeed a cult following and you will destroy any collector value with the re-chamber. If you need more "juice" then use the money you will lose and get one in .308 Win.

18 February 2011, 05:07

taylorce1

quote:
Originally posted by Bobster:
quote:
Originally posted by taylorce1:
quote:
Originally posted by theback40:
Why have a new barrel put on, is the old one bad? The straightline feed of a 788 mag should be no problem. If you are worried I can send you some imp cases and you can try them.

I don't know why the new barrel. I guess I just thought I could put it back on at a later date if these rifles saw a surge in price. They already demand a premium for the 788's on GB and other auction sites. I guess they have a cult following.

I just lucked into this one at a reasonable price. Plus it came with a Leupold M8 4x on it. Sending you a PM about getting som imp cases to try. Thanks!!!

I wouldn't touch the original. The .30-.30 is one of the most rare. There is indeed a cult following and you will destroy any collector value with the re-chamber. If you need more "juice" then use the money you will lose and get one in .308 Win.

I'm not going to re-chamber the barrel. I'll just buy a new one if I can get the cases to feed. I've just wanted to mess with the .30-30AI and I've wanted to do it on a bolt action. That way I can still restore the rifle to original. Now if I can just find another in .44 Mag!

18 February 2011, 18:25

Jim Kobe

How about I swap you a 308 bolt for that 30-30 bolt, even up and I would do the rebarrel for you, something on a wildcat rimmed 30-30 AI?

18 February 2011, 19:33

taylorce1

quote:
Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
How about I swap you a 308 bolt for that 30-30 bolt, even up and I would do the rebarrel for you, something on a wildcat rimmed 30-30 AI?

This isn't an anytime soon project. I'll shoot it as a regular .30-30 for awhile. I'll let you know if I change my mind though.