Remington 30 Express in .35 Remington

[mckinney]

Does anyone know the relative rarity of the .35 Remington in the Model 30 Express. I have one made in July 1926 which is in just about perfect condition with almost no blue wear and a perfect bore. It's the only 30 Express I have and I figure it's a good one to keep. Just wondering about order of rarity with the chamberings, if anyone has that information. Seems to be a lot less available on these rifles than on things like Winchester Model 70 for instance. Not surprising, considering the numbers made.

I like the feel of the rifle but will have a hell of a time shooting it with my middle aged eyes and original sights, but I won't alter it.

many thanks,
mckinney

[Recoil Rob]

I also have an .35 Rem. 30S Express with the Lyman rear but mine was D&T'd, maybe from the factory as apparently that was an option. I found the Buehler mount fit the holes and put an older 4X Kahles on it.

[mckinney]

Nice looking rifle. Mine is the earlier style with less checkering and metal buttplate. I will try to post some photos of it.

Any idea how many are around in this caliber? I haven't seen any reference book or other material that discusses rarity of the Model 30 by caliber. I saw one in 7.65 mm, which also has to be rare.

[Recoil Rob]

No idea. I would think 30-06 was most common. I have a 30-06 on the way that's like yours.

[mckinney]

Bob, now that I look at your rifle more it's a really nice piece. The effect of the scope and red pad are very tasteful and it just has a serious, solid look about it, like an Oberndorf Mauser.

Here are a few pictures of my Model 30.

One question for you. Have you ever had a problem with extraction? I was cycling new Remington factory loads through my rifle and the first few I tried didn't extract properly. I went to a different box of ammo and everything was fine. On to a third box and fine there too.

[Recoil Rob]

I agree, that's what attracted me to this one in particular, a bit of vintage American rifle without the G&H price tag. I have been looking for another one in the 3 years since I got this one, I had one sent to me from a dealer but it was totally buggered up. Just last Thursday I got my '06 at an auction, it hasn't arrived yet but it looks nice in the pics. I have a bunch of rifles but this will be my first '06.



These guns are getting hard to find, I know some guys buy them and use them as the basis for cheap boomers, the action is long enough for that.

My .35 came to me D&T'd but that could have been done when the pad was put on. Then again, back then (1927) the pad could have been put on by Remington at the factory. THE RIFLE IN AMERICA states that they were available D&T'd from the factory so you never know. I did have to replace the extractor though, wasn't throwing them far enough.



Here's the epitome of M30's, a G&H custom.

[mckinney]

I was drooling over the G&H when it was posted on Mike Schwandt's website - beautiful piece. G&H rifles on the Model 30 action seem to be about as scarce among G&H rifles as the Model 30 itself is among American prewar sporting rifles. I've seen only one other G&H on that action and I believe it was in .300 H&H.

If I have to replace the extractor, can you advise me how to do that?

On the question of rarity by caliber, I think the .257 Roberts may be right up there since the cartridge was the 'newest' one chambered in the Model 30 (cartridge was introduced commercially in 1934). The Remington history page doesn't show a chambering in 7.65 mm, but rifles were made in that caliber. There is a 7.65 mm on Monty Whitley's website now (sold though). I suppose the 30 could also have been chambered in 9x57. That would be in line with the Model 54 Winchester, which was chambered in 7.65mm and 9x57, although I have never seen either in the flesh.

many thanks

[Recoil Rob]

Replacing the extractor was straight forward as I remember, I got an unissued P17 one from Gunparts. The one on my gun had been ground too much so it didn't get a good bite on the rim. I put in the new one and all was fine. Pretty much like changing one on a Mauser as I recall. Turn it , then squeeze the long part until the end jumps out of the groove, push forward to slip off the ring..

This is the old one..

[mckinney]

Thank you for the info and particularly for the detailed photo. The extractor on my rifle looks very much like your old one, so it probably needs to be replaced.

Please post pictures of your 30-06 when it arrives and I will let you know if I find any info on caliber rarity.

[Recoil Rob]

You might notice that the boltface is way too big for the Rem.35, probably left them at the military spec for the '06, difference of .013. The case head slides to one side so an extractor with more bite is needed.

[Recoil Rob]

mckinney,

I just got my 30-06 in from the auction and I'm pleased with it. A small chip in the stock and someone tried to skim bed the barrel so I'll have to remove some epoxy but other than that it's pretty good.

My barrel is marked "SPRINGFIELD 30 CAL. 1906" is that how yours is marked?

[mckinney]

Bob - sorry for this late reply. I haven't visited the board in a while. Unfortunately I don't have a Model 30 in .30-06 so not sure how they are marked.

However, I did pick up another 30 express in .35 Remington. It is also an early rifle (10xxx), but it is different from the other one we discussed earlier. First of all, the magazine follower looks different. This follower on this rifle has a couple of small metal knobs (for lack of a better word) that extend to the left of the center spine. My other 30 Exp in .35 Remington does not have this. This later rifle feeds and extracts better, so I am wondering if that is in any way related to the magazine follower. Also, I am wondering if the follower on the other rifle is incorrect or if it just because it is a very early rifle. Secondly, on this rifle there are additional markings stamped by the usual date markings. These may indicate factory rework, or ? Finally, it has a Pacific aperture sight installed. The slide on the pacific is shorter than on a Lyman, and it looks like someone removed the original Lyman 48R and added some filler to close the gap left by the shorter Pacific slide.

I've attached photos (with rifle apart and Pacific sight removed) showing all this stuff. The rifle is actually a pretty good looking piece in good condition apart from the woodwork by the sight slide. I'd like to find a Lyman 48R to replace the Pacific if you think it will cure the filler issue. Hopefully I can chip out the filler and the 48R will fit nicely.

Any insight you have would be much appreciated.

many thanks

[Recoil Rob]

My .35 is #10,14X, in the same range as yours. My follower doesn't have the studs like yours, it was just a cut down standard extractor, the put a plug in the magazine box for the shorter cartridge.
A lot of marks on that gun. When I get home I'll pull mine out and see if any match.

You can't see it from my last photos but my .35 doesn't have the schnabel forend, just a round one. I sometimes wonder how much work was done after it left the factory.

If you find the Lyman 48 or Redfield 80 it shouldn't be too bad to correct it since it's longer, easier than the other way around!