Trying to rechamber a botched 30-06 improved

[Remington92]

Hi there all I've got a project rifle I'm debating having rechambered if possible. It’s a beautiful sporterized 03 Springfield that someone put an amazing amount of work into the finish and stock work but botched the chamber. According to the barrel stamp its some sort of 30/06 "improved' but doesn't say which one. When I shoot factory 30-06 in it the brass stretches at the base of the case to the point that I'm worried one will rupture someday. I've taken it to 2 gunsmiths. One said not to shoot it and that the only way they could see to make it work would be open the bolt face and rechamber for something like 300wby. It’s a very small light rifle and I doubt the wrist of the stock let alone I could handle that. Another smith said it’s fine and just chuck the brass after I fire it. He also recommended shooting things like 180gr round nose that would reach farther and basically head space off the bullet instead of the case. (have ammo ordered but haven't tried this yet) The rifle is in a mannlicher stock with a belled end to the barrel with front sight base integrated so rebarreling isn't a very feasible option. I'm now thinking about having it rebored to something else. Initial thought was possibly 35 whelen but it looks like the base of the shoulder is at the same place as 30-06 so that knocks that out. Can anyone recommend any other ideas for getting this old girl going on semi readily available ammo? thanks

 

[Potsie]

How about a .30 Gibbs?

 

[Grifmt]

If you want to use factory ammo, the only think I could think to do would be to have a smith set the barrel back 1-2 full revolutions and re camber as the improved. If you’re good with reloading either a 300 Sherman or the 30 Gibbs.

Matt

 

[Remington92]

We had talked about turning back the barrel as well but with the bell at the end of the barrel and fine stock inletting that ruled that out as well

 

[Addicting]

Just use 280ai brass and expand it out to 30 cal. Nothing wrong with that chamber it’s just meant to use 270 brass with a false shoulder to fire form new brass. Without the false shoulder it has excessive head space and is stretched at the case head instead of the neck where it should. 280ai brass will easily fix it.

 

[Addicting]

If you are dead set in rechambering it. I have some 300 Sherman brass and dies. It will clean up the chamber and retain the factory bolt face.

 

[Grifmt]

Also if you reload you could try necking up 280AI brass or use 270/280 brass and see if that works since they are all just slightly longer. But if it was me giving that a try I would use COW rather than a bullet to see if it also expanded to much at the base.

Matt

 

[Remington92]

Just use 280ai brass and expand it out to 30 cal. Nothing wrong with that chamber it’s just meant to use 270 brass with a false shoulder to fire form new brass. Without the false shoulder it has excessive head space and is stretched at the case head instead of the neck where it should. 280ai brass will easily fix it.

So dumb question what dies would I use with 280ai brass? The first smith did a chamber cast and said it didn't quite match a 30-06ai

 

[MThuntr]

Just use 280ai brass and expand it out to 30 cal. Nothing wrong with that chamber it’s just meant to use 270 brass with a false shoulder to fire form new brass. Without the false shoulder it has excessive head space and is stretched at the case head instead of the neck where it should. 280ai brass will easily fix it.

Start here or go with 270 brass and fireform. Then 30 Gibbs or 300 Sherman.

 

[MThuntr]

So dumb question what dies would I use with 280ai brass? The first smith did a chamber cast and said it didn't quite match a 30-06ai

Could yours be a 30-06 improved 30 degree? Basically it's blowing out the the shoulders a bit and has a shorter neck than the "standard" 30-06ai. Very similar to the 30 Gibbs

 

[Remington92]

Could yours be a 30-06 improved 30 degree? Basically it's blowing out the the shoulders a bit and has a shorter neck than the "standard" 30-06ai. Very similar to the 30 Gibbs

It has a mashburn trigger in it so id wondered if it was a 30-06 mashburn chamber but was unable to ever get a clear answer

 

[Remington92]

 

[Addicting]

So dumb question what dies would I use with 280ai brass? The first smith did a chamber cast and said it didn't quite match a 30-06ai

Then make it a Sherman or Gibbs. I will make you a deal on the Sherman if you go that route. Plus I have all the load data.

 

[Remington92]

Then make it a Sherman or Gibbs. I will make you a deal on the Sherman if you go that route. Plus I have all the load data.

Oh no Im sorry I was trying to find out what dies would be needed to convert 280ai brass or is that summing its a 30-06ai chamber that would work?

 

[Addicting]

If it was cast and it didn’t match anything on file then it needs to be rechambered.

If the cast matches up to the dimensions of 280ai brass then all you need is a 280ai bushing die. Use a bushing for the 30 cal dimensions and a 30 cal expander ball.


Problem you have is when that was built it was a true wildcat. Which means it could be any shoulder angle and any shoulder depth.

I guess you could try chambering a 280ai and see if your bolt will close.

 

[Sheltowee]

Could you ream it out to a .338-06AI? My gunsmith was very high on that cartridge when I hired him to build a standard .338-06.

 

[Addicting]

Could you ream it out to a .338-06AI? My gunsmith was very high on that cartridge when I hired him to build a standard .338-06.

Not without setting back the threads and changing the bedding it has. 338-06 air and 30-06ai have the same shoulder and his is deeper than a standard AI.

 

[Remington92]

If it was cast and it didn’t match anything on file then it needs to be rechambered.

If the cast matches up to the dimensions of 280ai brass then all you need is a 280ai bushing die. Use a bushing for the 30 cal dimensions and a 30 cal expander ball.


Problem you have is when that was built it was a true wildcat. Which means it could be any shoulder angle and any shoulder depth.

I guess you could try chambering a 280ai and see if your bolt will close.

In theory would a 280ai no go gauge accomplish this as well? With the expense and availability I dont need a whole box of ammo. That would just tempt me to find a rifle that chambers it

 

[Farmerj]

 

[Addicting]

In theory would a 280ai no go gauge accomplish this as well? With the expense and availability I dont need a whole box of ammo. That would just tempt me to find a rifle that chambers it

Put a want to buy ad on here for a single piece of brass. I’m sure someone has a piece of old brass they would send you just for shipping cost. Just make sure it was resized first.

It may be cheaper to buy a Hornday OAL case gauge. You just need to see if it matches the plug and chambers.