307 Win Conversion
- Thread starter Keyfer 55
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I wouldn't do it. The conversion probably would not be cheap and doesn't seem worth the effort for the change in velocity.
The 336 may handle the pressure . Then again it may not. The rifle you are starting with was made with the 30 30 pressure level in mind. Marlin did, and may still, offer the 336 in 308 Marlin and 338 Marlin. These develop much higher pressure and the platform handles it just fine. However there may differences in material or design that could make significant difference in the safety of such an endeavor.
The 336 may handle the pressure . Then again it may not. The rifle you are starting with was made with the 30 30 pressure level in mind. Marlin did, and may still, offer the 336 in 308 Marlin and 338 Marlin. These develop much higher pressure and the platform handles it just fine. However there may differences in material or design that could make significant difference in the safety of such an endeavor.
Check Marlin owners forums, guess this has been done before.
Might want to call these guys: Nonneman's.
http://www.leveractions.com/leveractions.htm
Marlin offered a lever gun in .356 win. 336 ER
If a reg 336 receiver, then the .307 should be no big deal.
Just read some blurbs online that there may have been rifling differences on some 336ER.
Might want to call these guys: Nonneman's.
http://www.leveractions.com/leveractions.htm
Marlin offered a lever gun in .356 win. 336 ER
If a reg 336 receiver, then the .307 should be no big deal.
Just read some blurbs online that there may have been rifling differences on some 336ER.
With round nose bullets another 200 fps at the muzzle just doesn't make that much difference down range. I don't necessarily agree that energy numbers are the most accurate way to predict a cartridges performance, but it is an easy way to compare apples to apples. A 30-30 will drop below 1000 ft lbs energy somewhere between 150-175 yards with 150 gr RN bullets. The 307 shooting the same bullets between 175-200 yards with 1" less drop. For that little gain it wouldn't be worth the trouble to me.
Ironhand54
Member
For about the same improvement it would be easier and cheaper to rechamber to 30-30 Ackley Improved.
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/3030atext.htm
While this cartridge is usually handload only this site is selling loaded ammo
https://shop.reedsammo.com/30-30-Ackley-Improved_c260.htm
IronHand
http://www.gmdr.com/lever/3030atext.htm
While this cartridge is usually handload only this site is selling loaded ammo
https://shop.reedsammo.com/30-30-Ackley-Improved_c260.htm
IronHand
gotboostvr
Member
Too bad Lee doesn't make the "whack-a-mole" loader in 30-30AI. For a low volume cartridge like that it'd make a good combo.
There's always the Lee "Stapler" type press though! I still use mine with a progressive and a turret press in my garage.
LRDGCO
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Merle offers great advice. LVR and the 160 grs FTX will deliver 2400 fps, which is more or less halfway to the .307 conversion at the cost of setting up to reload with these components or buying the Leverevolution ammo. In a Savage 340 with above max load (not recommending), I get 2540 FPS with the 160 FTX.
Or, buy a Savage 99 in .308 Win
Or, buy a Savage 99 in .308 Win
troy fairweather
Member
the normal 30-30 loader should work the lees only neck size.
troy fairweather
Member
if i had a 336 A in 30-30 would definitely use my reamer and make it a AI. it's just not worth the fps in the 20'' barrel carbines.
gotboostvr
Member
Good call, I forgot about that!
troy fairweather
Member
the lee wack-a-moles work good and are real fun to just sit down anywhere and reload for it. the hand press are good to, gerat for depriming. i have to send in my hand press one day. oddly enough it broke when i was neck sizing 308 win.
Scooter22
Member
As the others said 30-30AI is the way to go. Another negative to the .307 is cost and availability of brass. Get a Lee hand press and dies. Not expensive and you can reload anywhere. I use mine often in good weather outside instead of being at my bench in the basement. Resizes 30-30 cases easy. Great product. Plus you can still fire factory 30-30 ammo in it in a pinch.
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jaysouth
Member
Move your blind 33 yards closer to the game trail. Seen any .307 brass lately?
Armorer 101
Member
Rather than push the lever ratchet bolt locking design of the 336 perhaps it would be better to trade the 336 in for a more modern design like the Browning BLR rotary bolt in a 270 or 06.
Ed
Ed
saiga308
Member
no and no!
to much pressure my k11 swiss converted to a 308 has to be under charge to be safeyotesmoker
Member
I have a pristine winchester 307AE I purchased by mistake.Was going to have it cinverted to 38-55 but found out it was not possible.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I'm fairly certain it will handle the pressure. The rifle has been offered in .375WCF. IMHO, the .307 was a good idea that never took off. The .356 and .375 were also good ideas that never took off. That said, they didn't and brass is going to be a challenge. Of course, I wrote that before I found that Hornady has factory loads with the 160gr flex-tip as well as brass. You get the same thing out of the .308Marlin (250fps over the .30-30) and that would probably be a less expensive option than reconfiguring a .30-30.
Why is that not possible? It's nearly identical to the .375 that Winchester made.
I think the BLR in 308 win killed them, but
I like the nostalgic look of mod 336 and 94.
I will disagree. Unless you have the technical data package showing the material calls outs, heat treatment and part dimensions, you don't know if the 307 Win actions are identical to a 30-30 action or different. And I am going to say, it is more likely they are different. I have no doubt it would be "safe" to rechamber a 307 Win action in 30-30 because the 307 is higher pressure. This is assuming proper case support and case head protrusion, but I would never assume it is "safe" to chamber an action, made for a lower pressure round, for a higher pressure round, just because they look similar. Outward appearances are not enough to determine load carrying capability.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The gunsmith worthy of this task would be the one to make that determination.
GooseGestapo
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The standard M336 actions have different (square) style threads in the reciever and barrel than the ones used for the .308 and .338ME actions (they use buttress style threads). Along with slightly different heat treatments (some say, though this has been disputed, however). The buttress style threads handle heavier pressures better.
The .30/30 Ackley Improved is the best bet for improvement with the standard M336 action. Lee sells the standard dies. They are special order.
Though I like and used Lee dies extensively, I’d get RCBS for the .30/30AI.
In reality, I could get along fine with the standard.30/30 loaded with LVR and one of the suitable RN or FN bullets.
The .30/30 Ackley Improved is the best bet for improvement with the standard M336 action. Lee sells the standard dies. They are special order.
Though I like and used Lee dies extensively, I’d get RCBS for the .30/30AI.
In reality, I could get along fine with the standard.30/30 loaded with LVR and one of the suitable RN or FN bullets.
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