New toy Rossi R95

[drobs]

That's a nice looking rifle.

Earlier this year, I got the idea to shoot some 30-30 out of my Winchester 94 (post whatever year the collectors like). It had been years since I shot it, like 10 or more.
I picked up about 6 boxes of ammo and kind of got my fix. I was thinking it would make a good dedicated truck gun. However, I just don't like leaving guns in my vehicles.

I need to start reloading again... maybe that will be my next project.

Old pic:

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Original was 6+. Ater spring kit and tinkering its 3.5.
I might change the trigger eventually, but i ran out of play money for now lol.
I have found that im getting a light strike now and then with the spring kit, so im going to shim it and try again.


I shot 30rnds today to form some AI brass. I checked water weight after forming (ill get a bit more on the next shot also, shoulders are still a little roundy)
And were averaging 46.5, 3gr up from the 43.5 the stock starline comes in at.
This isnt thr most aggressive of the improved 30-30/38-55 family (think the BRMs might be....i still have 6.5BRM brass), but its cool to get some extra capacity and a neat looking round.
View attachment 1205972

I also saw another r95 at the range today, thought that was cool.

You have me really wanting to mess with my wife's R95 and AI it and do the trigger work you did. But I mentioned to her about working on it to make it better, and she said my rifle is perfect the way it is and leave it alone. I'll have live it through you lol. I do have a Henry Single Shot I could always mess with at least.

 

[gotboostvr]

You have me really wanting to mess with my wife's R95 and AI it and do the trigger work you did. But I mentioned to her about working on it to make it better, and she said my rifle is perfect the way it is and leave it alone. I'll have live it through you lol. I do have a Henry Single Shot I could always mess with at least.

There is something to be said for leaving well enough alone!

 

[Speedo66]

If the loading gate area is anything like the one my Rossi 92 had, it has sharp edges.

I fixed mine by peening the edges by rubbing on them with the upper part of a 1/4” drill bit.

Good luck with your new gun!

 

[LoonWulf]

If the loading gate area is anything like the one my Rossi 92 had, it has sharp edges.

I fixed mine by peening the edges by rubbing on them with the upper part of a 1/4” drill bit.

Good luck with your new gun!

My old 92 would cut the crap out of you if you weren't careful. The newest 92 ive played with and this 95 have noticeably better finish..

 

[ThomasT]

You have me really wanting to mess with my wife's R95 and AI it and do the trigger work you did. But I mentioned to her about working on it to make it better, and she said my rifle is perfect the way it is and leave it alone. I'll have live it through you lol. I do have a Henry Single Shot I could always mess with at least.

Good for her. She sounds like a smart girl. Why beat up a perfectly good rifle that uses some of the thinnest rifle brass ever made that has a rear locking bolt to gain one or maybe two% more velocity? Big deal. Need more power? Get a 300 Savage. Or a 308. Both will easily out perform the 30-30AI.

My new Rossi R95 is supposed to be here on Saturday. And you can bet it will live its life as a 30-30 just the way it was designed. I like the idea of an AI improved round but in something with stronger brass and a front lockup. Remember John Barsness said for every 4% gain in capacity you will gain 1% in velocity. I like the 30-30 because it does its work with a small dose of powder. Its an efficient cartridge just like it is. Why make it eat more powder especially now with powder costing $50-$60 or more per pound?

 

[troy fairweather]

Good for her. She sounds like a smart girl. Why beat up a perfectly good rifle that uses some of the thinnest rifle brass ever made that has a rear locking bolt to gain one or maybe two% more velocity? Big deal. Need more power? Get a 300 Savage. Or a 308. Both will easily out perform the 30-30AI.

My new Rossi R95 is supposed to be here on Saturday. And you can bet it will live its life as a 30-30 just the way it was designed. I like the idea of an AI improved round but in something with stronger brass and a front lockup. Remember John Barsness said for every 4% gain in capacity you will gain 1% in velocity. I like the 30-30 because it does its work with a small dose of powder. Its an efficient cartridge just like it is. Why make it eat more powder especially now with powder costing $50-$60 or more per pound?

Ackleying will actually stress the rifle less given the same psi load over the original 30-30 chamber, there are more benefits going Ackley and not many downsides.

 

[LoonWulf]

Good for her. She sounds like a smart girl. Why beat up a perfectly good rifle that uses some of the thinnest rifle brass ever made that has a rear locking bolt to gain one or maybe two% more velocity? Big deal. Need more power? Get a 300 Savage. Or a 308. Both will easily out perform the 30-30AI.

My new Rossi R95 is supposed to be here on Saturday. And you can bet it will live its life as a 30-30 just the way it was designed. I like the idea of an AI improved round but in something with stronger brass and a front lockup. Remember John Barsness said for every 4% gain in capacity you will gain 1% in velocity. I like the 30-30 because it does its work with a small dose of powder. Its an efficient cartridge just like it is. Why make it eat more powder especially now with powder costing $50-$60 or more per pound?

Cause one wants to! Thats really the reason i think makes most sense....well outside of some niche applications.

 

[Show Me]

You have me really wanting to mess with my wife's R95 and AI it and do the trigger work you did. But I mentioned to her about working on it to make it better, and she said my rifle is perfect the way it is and leave it alone. I'll have live it through you lol. I do have a Henry Single Shot I could always mess with at least.

I vote for leave her alone. Buy your own

 

[ThomasT]

Cause one wants to! Thats really the reason i think makes most sense....well outside of some niche applications.

Absolutely. Its your gun do what you want with it. If making it AI makes you feel warm and fuzzy then go for it. I trust you will post some range reports and accuracy test. That will be interesting. I gave some thought to doing an AI on my 30-06 but thinking about it was as far as I ever got. I rarely load top poads anyway so didn't see the point.

 

[LoonWulf]

Put together a pressure ladder using the AI cases, 160ftx and LVR. . Im also loading the bullets out as long as will run thru my action. Since these are pointy, they dont come close to touching the lands.


Hopefully ill have time to shoot them this weekend, but lifes been getting in the way

 

[troy fairweather]

I'd bet some 155 A max single loaded would be fun in that, have to check but there probably on the higher bc for there weight the 30-30ai can push.

 

[LoonWulf]

I'd bet some 155 A max single loaded would be fun in that, have to check but there probably on the higher bc for there weight the 30-30ai can push.

After i get this squared away for hunting im planning on trying some of the pointies.
I have 168s on hand, but I agree, the 155 palma bullets are about the longest pointiest that i wanna try push with the 30-30 even in AI form. If dell ordered my bases ill be running a scope next time im out....ill decide after that if im sticking with dot or switching to scope.

 

[troy fairweather]

After i get this squared away for hunting im planning on trying some of the pointies.
I have 168s on hand, but I agree, the 155 palma bullets are about the longest pointiest that i wanna try push with the 30-30 even in AI form. If dell ordered my bases ill be running a scope next time im out....ill decide after that if im sticking with dot or switching to scope.

Ya if it's only minute of goat the dot would be funner and handier. From what I've seen the r95s shoot pretty good even the marlins you could get moa or better with the right ammo. I had that first year 336 30-30 the someone unfortunately drilled and tapped, that thing shot cheap silver box winchester 150s sub moa all day but still stuck with the peep sight. I'd send you a xs peep sight to try but I think my buddy never gave it back last I remember.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ya if it's only minute of goat the dot would be funner and handier. From what I've seen the r95s shoot pretty good even the marlins you could get moa or better with the right ammo. I had that first year 336 30-30 the someone unfortunately drilled and tapped, that thing shot cheap silver box winchester 150s sub moa all day but still stuck with the peep sight. I'd send you a xs peep sight to try but I think my buddy never gave it back last I remember.

Yeah my gut/desire says stick with the dot, add a taller front sight and peep rear to cowitness, and just suck up the fact that 3-5moa is all ill be able to achieve consistently. Thats still a pretty reliable 200yd proposition, and thats about as far as i feel like i need this rifle to reach.
If i want to shoot a lever farther or with more precision, i have my 99......

least thats what i keep telling myself.

im also alot faster and more comfortable with a scope outside of muzzle burn range........so defaults always a scope....