in2anity asked
"So basically the 30/30 lacks the legs to group consistently out to 200m right? Is that why the re-bore to .38-55 would have happened (heavier/more stable .38 lead bullet)? Just curious do you ever use modern jacketed projectiles for CLAS Gamerancher?"
In reply:
The gun was re-bored not long after I was born mate. ( Mid 60's ) The original owner just had it sitting on the wall and after reading an article in a magazine about the better energy achievable with the .38-55 compared with a .30-30 for deer hunting, he sent it off to P.O. Ackley to get it done. ( I imported this rifle from the U.S a couple of years ago )
There is nothing wrong with a .30-30 for CLAS. I've used both and can get very similar accuracy out of them compared to the .38-55's. As I have stated before, I run reduced loads and get good results. The secret is finding the sweet spot where you get enough energy retention @ 200m to knock down the rams, with the minimum load to reduce the amount of recoil. ( For me in a .30-30, that is the 17gr of 2207 behind a 170gr cast bullet load that I suggested to you.)
Some fella's run their .30-30's loaded up to the hilt using jacketed bullets with good results, but, I do this for enjoyment. Getting the crap belted out of you 100 times a day is not my idea of fun.
( The top 6 shooters in this sport in Australia all run reduced loads - just sayin'. )
I use all cast bullets for CLAS for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it keeps the costs way down and second, I get good results with them, both in accuracy and knock down. There is also the satisfaction of "doing it yourself".