Rebore and rechamber for .30-40 Krag, open up bolt face. Conversion of a .30-30 written up in American Rifleman in 1940s.

Jeffe, your comment about the 375, wouldn't the model 54action and bbl be able to take the pressure ? I load for the 38/55 and am just curious.

iirc, the 375 is loaded to 56k, and the 38/55 to 38.5k...

like the 45/70 with springfield loads and then the garrett superloads....

will it handle the pressure? I have no clue, and therefore would not do it myself.

jeffe

The model 54 Win. is essentially a M-70...It will take any round you want to put in it...If it were mine I would convert it to a 30-40 Krag or 25/30-40 Krag, or 30-40 Krag Imp....I built one in the Krag IMP some years back and it was a super caliber, but I got bored with it and sold it..wildcats never lasted long around my house.

While there is nothing wrong with the 30-30 as a close range deer rifle I think I would go with the 375 Win. Factory ammo and brass are available. I would go with a 20" bbl and a 1.75x6 Leupold with heavy duplex.

Then in honor of the new rifle I would book a black bear hunt over bait.