30-30 to 38-55 possible...?

[RugerBob]

Hey all, I have a older 30-30 (1965) and was wondering how difficult it would be to have it converted to 38-55. Not even sure if it can be done, so thats why I'm here. Can it be done and if so feasibly? (sp). I was hoping it may be cheaper than just buying a 38-55 lever action. Thanks all, Bob

 

[MMCSRET]

It can be done!!!!!! I wanted a 38-55 but couldn't find one in my price range in the shape I wanted. I bought a 1995 M94 AE 30-30, used. Installed 26" half round barrel, shortened magazine to button length. Installed tang sight and went to load development. About a thousand dollars for an absolutely fantastic shooter. Loves 265 gr. Cast at 1800 fps.

 

[fineredmist]

The 30-30 is based on the 38-55 case so all you need is to change out the barrel and you have a new rifle in 38-55. The 38-55 is a classic round that has been around for 100+ years.

 

[RugerBob]

Thanks guys, I am glad to know it can be done. I am going to now try and find a gunsmith in the soutern maine ,new hampshire area and find out what the cost will be. I reload and cast, but this is outta my field. Anyone recomend a gunsmith in this area? Thanks again, Bob

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Not to rain on a parade...

gosh, for that kind of money, wouldn't it be smarter to just buy a factory 94 in 38-55? Or to get a big bore, a 45-70 Marlin Guide gun or .444 Marlin XLR for much less?

I know... Just because you want to do something as a project, but when cost outweighs benefit, I see cost (if you're willing to spend that kind of money) as an opportunity to keep the 30-30 and have another lever gun in a different caliber.

And a 265gn cast bullet at 1,800fps? Might that be pushing it just a bit? I'm gonna have to go look at my reloading manuals.

I know you're talking about a Win94 here, but there's a guy on the MarlinOners forum, (I think it was swany), that stubbed a barrel and shortened the tube. Added a set of winged peep sights and did some really nice checkering and leather work to make an old rifle something quite unique.

-Steve

 

[MMCSRET]

Jack. They did not make a 38-55 in the configuration I wanted. Mine when it was finished closely resembled a "Special Order" Winchester '94 from the pre WWI period. The 'smith delivered it to me at a gunshow I was working, the first person to see it when I uncased it at the show offered me nearly 3 times what I have in it, even knowing that it was modern AE and crossbolt safety. It is one of a kind and very, very special!!!!!!!!

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

OK, I do understand a custom build. Not to bend this thread, but I just don't understand the want for the 38-55. A friend of mine had one, an older 94 with a big loop lever. It was a very nice rifle. And.. since I don't know 94's all that well, (I do have one in 32wsp), were the 38-55's part of a series of finer crafted 94's of yester year? Limited production caliber? I'm a fan of the 444marlin, though I don't own one yet. The 38-55 fires a rock with a punter's trajectory and not an incredible amount of energy. I don't know that I'd take one Elk hunting. And I think I'd still want something different for Blackbear. The difference between it and the .44magnum out a rifle barrel is splitting hairs. The 38-55 only teases you with what the other (modern) .44cal cartridges are capable of with heavier bullets.

Learn me here.. What does it take to change the barrel on a Win94? (to get this back on track for what RugerBob was asking?) Midway has a replacement WindRiver octagon barrel (which would be sweet) in 38-55 for $400. I think I'd look elsewhere for a cheaper barrel or have the .30 cal barrel reamed for a couple hundred less, but then it would have to be rechambered. So I guess the price is a wash. Is setting head space any different on a lever gun than it is on a bolt rifle?
Rebluing a barrel, tube and receiver could be a couple hundred bux. Smith labor a bit more. I suppose that a grand into the project isn't out of the question.

-Steve

 

[ocharry]

a few years ago i had a 30-30 marlin re bored and chambered for 38-55,,,i didn't have to change anything else on the gun

a smith in washington state did it for me,,(i think he is retired now),,,i stripped the action and sent the action and barrel to him,,seems as thought it was in the $200 range,,,this was along about 96-97

he did a great job,,and it was a shooter too,,,i finally got tired of hearing my bud whine about how he wanted it and sold it to him,,,and then i got one of the marlin factory guns they made a few year ago for a short while

i have had 3-of them in 38-55,,they are fun to play with,,,and generally a good shooter

ocharry

 

[MMCSRET]

38-55 M94 was standard in 20" carbine and 26" rifle, both with full magazine tube. The rifle was dropped as a standard production when the M55 came out in 1924(?) and until production of 38-55 stopped in M94 only carbines were offered, with the exception of a few commeratives and limited special runs of Japan produced "Legacy" models just before the M94 production was shut down. The late production Legacy models were retailing for $1500.00 to $1800.00.

 

[RugerBob]

Thanks all, I will talk to some local smiths and see what they say. If it is more than I am willing to spend, I'll just eventually buy one already factory set up. Now to find some smiths..... Thanks all, Bob