30-30 Ackley Improved

31 August 2001, 14:06

<Jim Lawrence>

Hello: Good day I hope!
My question-My son has a Marlin model 336 lever action rifle. We talked about having it Ackley Improved. We know that there is not much of a velocity increase in this modification but we like how the AI case reloads and lasts for a long time. Also, it is my experience that an AI rifle often shoots more accurately.
Our local gunsmith can do the work but is not sure how the cartride will feed because of the 40 degree neck. I came home and did a little research on this and found that P.O. Ackley said the load works fine in lever action rifles. Another book I have says that the AI modification will work fine in the Winchester 94 and Marlin model 336.
This is reassuring but I would appreciate some more expert advice on this matter before I make up my mind. If any of you folks have experience with this modification, a suggestion or idea I would be gratefull to hear from you. I have found this board to be an amazing help to me with matters of shooting. Thank You very much and good shooting. Jim Lawrence

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31 August 2001, 14:39

TSJ

Yup,it feeds just fine. Without pushing it, you should get 2550-2600 fps with a 150. I 'll need to dig around for my notes, havent shot mine for awhile. Drop me an E-mail if you get it done and I'll give you what loads i've used.

02 September 2001, 00:51

<Chainsaw>

I too have been tinkering with the idea of adding a 30-30 AI barrel to my NEF handi-rifle. Currently I am getting 2575 out of my standard 30-30 NEF with 140 Barnes X bullets.Pretty darn accurate as well.

I would like to see if I can up that 200-300 fps with an AI version.

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"ï¿½and I believe further, that [our new Constitutional government] is likely
to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in
despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become
so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other."

-from Benjamin Franklin's speech upon signing the Constitution.---------Chainsaw

03 September 2001, 07:37

Craftsman

Jim

I have rechambered 3 Marlin 30-30s to 30-30 AI, 2 for customers and 1 for myself.

As for myself the cartridge feeds 100% with no modifications. Don't sell this cartridge short on velocity increase. My best loads chronograph faster with 170 gr bullets than factory loads with 150 gr bullets. No excessive pressure and very good accuracy.

I do recomend buying a Lee bullet crimp die as it is easy to collapse the thin case necks with a normal crimp operation.

I seat the bullets out close to the lands which is past the normal crimp groove. This gives me better accuracy and the added bonus of increased powder capacity.

Fireform with approximately 14 to 16 grains of unique and the case filled to the shoulder neck junction with cream of wheat topped off with a small tuft of Kleenex. Keep the barrel level to keep unburned residue from falling back into the action. Point in a safe direction as the cream of wheat mass becomes a projectile.

This is a very rewarding conversion. The only negative is if you want to trade or sell the gun, no one wants a wildcat, however that's how I bought one for a song at a gun show last year.

Tell your gunsmith to do it. The dies will be a little pricey but most wildcat dies are.

Good Shooting,
Craftsman