Thanks, Paco 6mm/30-30 ai

[gtaylor]

I was rereading "219 zipper, not a street address", and remembered where my motivation came from!! Paco planned to build a 6mm zipper improved, and I wound up with two 6x30-30 ackley's. I couldn't decide which model levergun to put it on either, so I got a ranger (ae, pre safety) and a glenfield(complete with deer head pressed into the stock!)

I sent them, along with remington 700 243 takeoff barrels and some sights, to John Taylor Machine in Washington State, along with what I considered a very moderate size check - After what seemed like quite a wait, but really wasn't, I got back two reblued, ugly stocked leverguns, with target crowned barrels!!

Reloading on a budget for these entailed "shortening and opening" ebay 243 dies, to create a neck sizing and a seating die. The bottom inch of an extra 25-35 die serves to swedge the parent 30-30 base down sufficiently to chamber. After 4 to 5 reloads, the neck sized cases won't chamber easily anymore, but a quick trip through 30-30 ackley die pushes the shoulder back sufficiently to let them chamber reliably again. Big Game Hunting loads are checked for cycling prior to going afield.

So far, everything other than a few fire forming loads have been Hornady's 100 grain round nose bullet - With H4895, an accurate load in both rifles has come in at just under 2800 fps. If I had Paco's 24" barrel, I might make his 3000 fps, but I'm happy with the 2800!

The winchester was scoped for load development, and delivered more than one 3 shot 1" group for more than one shooter. The glenfield is consistently under two inches, but we haven't hit it dead on yet. I'm interested in doing some development with lighter bullets now that big game season is winding down, and varmit season can start.

The winchester was used to good effect on two doe antelope this fall. Both were just over 100 yard shots, but I've shot enough steel, targets and milk jugs that I would have been comfortable up to 250 yards. Both were "through shots" involving broken bones.

All in all, I am ecstatic with this cartridge, in the lever action platform. Thanks again, Paco, for motivating me to try something a little different!

Gordon Taylor

[Blaine]

Sounds like a lot of fun, and you have a winner!

[Nath]

Impressive, well done

Nath.

[AJMD429]

Sounds cool. If you ever have time, post some pics...!

[KWK]

I didn't know Hornady made a RN in 6 mm. For what cartridge was it made? The 160 RN in 6.5 was a traditional military style as was the 220 RN in .30, but off the top of my head, I can't think of any commercial 6mm cartridge that used a RN bullet. The 6 Rem perhaps?

What COL do you get? It looks like the cannelure is in roughly the correct place for a 2.55" COL.

It's a neat idea. I've been toying with making a .224 Savage Imp, but there's no suitable bullets. This 6 is about as close as one would come with readily available bullets. I like it.

[3leggedturtle]

I didn't know Hornady made a RN in 6 mm. For what cartridge was it made?.

IIRC They was made for the 244 REM with the 1-14" twist cuz spitzers wouldnt stabilize cuz they were too long. Hornady also used too make a 105gr RN for them too. Great caliber, would like to see pics. Its great when a plan works out. What type of groups you getting?"

[damienph]

I can't think of any commercial 6mm cartridge that used a RN bullet.

6MM Lee navy used a 112gr Round Nose FMJ