I did alot a reading on this gun and uts oredesessors last Spring, researching the "project 340" I still have. There is a couple very good indepth articles explaining allot about the variants years and how to tell them appart. Like all makers parts from previous models always make it into the first "so many" of the next model. But usually something diffinitive allows one to establish what version of what model one has. In this case its undoubtably a early gun. No SN, is a start. But NO D&T for side mount, safety trigger and wheel asjust, Dorbendorph rear site are more solid proof this is a early /first model 340. Ill place it 1950's. More searching may narrow that down. (IIRC my progect 340 was tetermined to be a "D" gun) The last model "E" where easy as the magazine went truly flush eliminating the "finger reliefs" to pull the mag. The "C" & "D" where whats left as we know its not a 325 nor later still 840. Near as I can tell all where tapped for the peep.
Strange that you mention having to seat bullets deeply Kevin as in those stories the author mentions that these guns had quite a bit of freebire not unlike the Weatherbys and he was always able to single load pretty long cartritages. (Magazine still ultimately limits OAL as they do always)
The gun got a good rub down last night with OOOO wool and oil. The stock it now exceptional sans one scar in its forend left side. It feels like a fine old rifle. Its trigger while a but heavy us a clean break. I want to "rub" a but more on the barrel and receiver. The receiver has much wear it saw rust and pitting has scarred much if its top. Probably from a hand carrying it then no oil cloth treatments. Its bore was a bit darker then I like but much rifling was present. BUT my roommis in a shambles with the expansion so poor lighting, no bench so make ahift cleaning and inlroper ability to examint true condition of the bore. BUT proof lies in the pudding and Im liking the way it shoots first time out! I put about 50 rounds thru it of five different loads. Just three rounds of jacketed, 5/7 of lubed lead and remainder powder coated. I haven't looked again since.
No Ian, Ill likely NOT D&T this one. I thought possibly one base forward of the ejection port on the receiver ring and a small reflex red dot... But it would be odd on this gun and the way I was able to shoot it with irons, I am gonna say it wont be necessarry once the peep is mounted.
I pulled bown my barrel of 30/30. While I didnt think I had too many it was a big barrel and I had a couple hundred. I deprimed all and trimmed all last night. Maybe 1/3 needed it. Oddly many where 2.10 or less. (None under 2.03) If ya dont remember, 2.30 is TTL. .020 is quite a variance. I wonder with such a long nect that bit will make a difference in neck tension? Im gonna say not at all with PC as they really seem to have quite a bit of that. At keast every one I have attempted to pull resulted in side cutters and a ruined bullet.
I have wanted a 30/30 cast gun for some time!! I have a few levers and while they shoot fine. Just dont lend them selves well to bench shooting. I like a Single shot or a bolt best. Shooting this gives me ideas for the project gun and also keeps me intrested as its sat for a few months. I had pondered rechambering to K Hornet. I believe I will do that just for case life and dureability. (I also have anoher K so have reamer, dies and brass)
CW
