I wouldn’t mess with a good thing if it were me. Have you looked into how those rifles feed once they’ve been AI?

My rifle is currently wearing irons, the way God intended. If I still possess a scope base, I will put a scope on it for load development, and then take it back off once I'm done.

Coincidentally, I spent some time the last few days prepping .30-30 brass. I treated it just like I would treat brass for one of my bolt actions. FL size, trim, chamfer and debur, and debured the flash holes. Because I don't want to use up my CCI-200 or Fed 210 primers, I primed with Winchester Large Rifle. They don't tend to produce the lowest ES, but I'm going to have to accept that, for this project.

I have Leverloution powder, and am loaded with a 150 gr Hornady round nose. I will be doing a load development, like I would for any other rifle. Looking for what charge shoots the best, and making sure it is safe ammo. My rifle us a 1994 made Marlin 336. I will let you know what I learn. Leverloution is supposed to generate significantly more velocity than any other powder that is appropriate for .30-30

If we can put a Mil based scope on a .22 lr and make hits at 300 yards, and more, then the .30-30 can absolutely do it as well. The unknown is the energy delivery. That is unknown, because I haven't shot it yet and learned what MV it's going to have. My bullet won't have a very good BC, but it will give you an idea of the velocity potential with a 150 gr.

My rifle is currently wearing irons, the way God intended. If I still possess a scope base, I will put a scope on it for load development, and then take it back off once I'm done.

I would have to get up earlier than I already do to ride a horse to work.

Unclebubba,

I purchased some once fired .30-30 brass of several brands. WW Super, Winchester, Federal, Remington, Hornady.

Out of 200 brass, I had six pieces that had cracks. Most of them were cracked at the neck/shoulder junction.

So, it looks like .30-30 brass needs to be annealed early in its' life.

My rifle us a 1994 made Marlin 336.

... use it within the scope of its capabilities.

I've never heard a bad word about the 30-30 with the FTX bullet. Go buy a box and take it out to 200-250 yards and see what it does. If the Western Field fits him well and he instinctively shoots it well, then you are almost home. The FTX may get you the rest of the way there. Dunno but having a rifle you shoot well is a very big thing. AI really makes a nice improvement performance wise. But you have to decide if the gain is worth all the hassle and extra cost.

My son has a Marlin 30-30 I bought in 1976 and he has no desire to change it or the memories it represents.

As an aside, Back in 1973 I bought a Western Field (made my Mossberg then) from Montgomery Ward. I remember picking it up at the catalog counter. Long time ago.

That is exactly what I was planning on doing. I was just wanting to extend those capabilities. I was also looking forward to playing with an Ackley improved round. From the above comments, I am probably going to just work up a good load for this one and keep it as a shorter range gun.

Note: most FTX bullets have a different trim length than normal. It’s shorter.

Note: most FTX bullets have a different trim length than normal. It’s shorter.