Remington Model 30 Express

[cwdubya]

Locally I found a Remington Model 30 Express, serial number 161XX, in .30-06, 22 inch barrel. It's kind of an interesting rifle, the bluing is in pretty good shape, but the stock has definitely been thinned out and the checkering is almost all gone. It's the older style stock with the Schnabel forend. The receiver also has four screws in a vertical line where it's been drilled and tapped for a scope (possibly for a weaver mount? Not sure what the factory scope option was for the Redfield scope) just looking at the screw spacing. Best part of the whole deal? It's for sale for $300.

Looking online, it looks like there are replacement Model 30 express stocks available from Macon Gunstocks for $200. Has anyone ordered from them? Any ideas for a vintage or vintage inspired base that would make it look like it's not been messed up?

I think that it could be a fun, unique rifle, and a decent project. Any thoughts, suggestions, info, other?

 

[WebleyGreene455]

Where are the scope mount holes located? On the side of the receiver, or on top?

 

[cwdubya]

Top of the receiver, in the 1/4 in or so wide 'milled' section on the receiver bridge and the receiver ring.

 

[WebleyGreene455]

Hmm. Maybe NECG German claw mounts put in their place?

 

[Newboomer]

I ordered a stock from Macon a couple years ago and it was an ugly club. It was 90% finished but had cracks and knots. Totally unusable so I sent it back.

 

[cwdubya]

Hmm. Maybe NECG German claw mounts put in their place?

I could give that a shot. I think that would look nice, and I appreciate the help. I'm just looking at value proposition at this point. It's not a need to have, but I thought it was a cool pre-war sporting rifle. Without being able to get a stock reliably for it, for a relatively reasonable price, it's probably one of those things I should pass on.

 

[WebleyGreene455]

I could give that a shot. I think that would look nice, and I appreciate the help. I'm just looking at value proposition at this point. It's not a need to have, but I thought it was a cool pre-war sporting rifle. Without being able to get a stock reliably for it, for a relatively reasonable price, it's probably one of those things I should pass on.

I getcha. I'm having a similar problem with a Mauser re: the stock. There are many options out there but trying to find a pre-war-style sporting stock that looks correct is proving harder than I'd like. At this rate I may just wind up using a reprofiled military one and call it a day.

 

[cwdubya]

I ordered a stock from Macon a couple years ago and it was an ugly club. It was 90% finished but had cracks and knots. Totally unusable so I sent it back.

Ugh, I was hoping for better news. Thanks for the info!

 

[sestoppelman]

Those are neat rifles, had one once. Good the mounting holes are on top and not the side. I hate side mounted scopes! As to what it needs to scope it, hard to say. If you get the rifle, take it to a shop and see what fits it. Could be any number of things, Weaver is a likely fix but who knows?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Locally I found a Remington Model 30 Express, serial number 161XX, in .30-06, 22 inch barrel. It's kind of an interesting rifle, the bluing is in pretty good shape, but the stock has definitely been thinned out and the checkering is almost all gone. It's the older style stock with the Schnabel forend. The receiver also has four screws in a vertical line where it's been drilled and tapped for a scope (possibly for a weaver mount? Not sure what the factory scope option was for the Redfield scope) just looking at the screw spacing. Best part of the whole deal? It's for sale for $300.

Looking online, it looks like there are replacement Model 30 express stocks available from Macon Gunstocks for $200. Has anyone ordered from them? Any ideas for a vintage or vintage inspired base that would make it look like it's not been messed up?

I think that it could be a fun, unique rifle, and a decent project. Any thoughts, suggestions, info, other?

You could also try and get one from boyds gun stocks. If memory serves me correctly the Remington mod 30 express is based on the M17 Enfield, if so boyds have stocks for that but may need the floor plate area modified from the yuppie belly to flat.

 

[fourfive8]

That action is a good one! Yes, the Rem 30 is based on the US M 1917. Today I looked at several bolt rifles. Being able to handle several at the same time is an excellent tool for comparison. Brnos, CZs, Wins, Sakos, Rems, various Mausers including mil and commercial, Weatherbys and so on in calibers from 22 CF to 460 Weatherby. Of all I handled and cycled, a sporterized M 1917 was the most impressive. So if so inclined I’d say try it.

 

[fourfive8]

And after fully digesting all the factors in comparing all those actions, I’d still have to say the late New Haven Win 70 to be the smoothest. But slick is not the whole story either. While I remain a devoted Win 70 fan for several reasons, that sporterized US M 1917 chambered in 30-06 I handled today had everything a quality bolt action should have, especially if using for the core of a DG rifle. It would have been perfect for putting together a 375 HH. I’ve had a couple 375s in the past, sold both, and now starting to have separation anxiety. If the price tag was 300, I’d be starting a project right now!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

And after fully digesting all the factors in comparing all those actions, I’d still have to say the late New Haven Win 70 to be the smoothest. But slick is not the whole story either. While I remain a devoted Win 70 fan for several reasons, that sporterized US M 1917 chambered in 30-06 I handled today had everything a quality bolt action should have, especially if using for the core of a DG rifle. It would have been perfect for putting together a 375 HH. I’ve had a couple 375s in the past, sold both, and now starting to have separation anxiety. If the price tag was 300, I’d be starting a project right now!

Fourfive8
That's why Art Alpin chose the M17 Enfield for his big A Square line of cartridges. A big STRONG action that can be lightened and lengthened and made into a beautiful sporter. I regret doing mine in 35 Whelan AI, should have been a 404 Jeffery but couldn't justify the power.
Cheers mate Bob.

 

[fourfive8]

Bob, Yes, absolutely agree,

 

[fourfive8]

Today, visions of a “plain Jane”, all business type rifle in 375HH, 404J or even 400 HH were dancing in my head

 

[Ray B]

Sounds like you're looking at the 30 and not the 30S. The main difference was the stock. Either one is a very good action. A good friend of mine, the late Bill Steigers was a firm believer in the pre-64 M70 but the rifle that he took to Africa was a sporterized 1917, in effect a Rem 30, that was rebarrelled to a 375/404 wildcat (effectively the 375 RUM). The cartridge was too big for one of his loved M70s, but fit in the 1917 with very little alteration. From the description of the scope base holes I'm confused about where they are and what's the distance between them. There are mounts for the Rem 30 by various makers but they may entail having holes drilled and tapped, but it doesn't sound like it's a collector, so doing so wouldn't be a loss.

 

[Ray B]

 

[Ray B]

Above is a Remington 30S from early 1030s. the scope is a Zeiss Zielvier 4x. There are holes that I'm confident were drilled by the gunsmith for these mounts but there are two holes in the side of the bridge, near the cut-out portions of the stock that were for a receiver sight. Some of the models came from the factory with receiver sights so it is quite possible that these holes were done at the factory. The stock of the 30S is straighter and has less drop than the 30 but otherwise they are interchangeable. this rifle happens to be a 257 Roberts and while it is way over built for such a light cartridge, it is very pleasant to shoot.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Today, visions of a “plain Jane”, all business type rifle in 375HH, 404J or even 400 HH were dancing in my head

fourfive8
I am attaching a photo of my 2 M17's. The one with the pepper laminate stock is a 35 Whelan AI, 25 inch Douglass air gauged competition barrel, timney trigger, flattened floorplate and lightened action to copy the rem 30 or 30s. Shoots 250gn Speer hotcore at 2750fps into moan at 100yards.
The other is my 25/ 303 Epps Newton improved, timney trigger, Llijla barrel and Boyds walnut stock. It has still got the guppy belly. Unbelievable accuracy 0.9 inch @ 200 yards with hornaday 117gn SST @ over 3,700 fps

Top cartridge is 257 Weatherby, middle 25/303 Epps Newton improved bottom 257 Roberts
Hope you like mate
Cheers
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Today, visions of a “plain Jane”, all business type rifle in 375HH, 404J or even 400 HH were dancing in my head

fourfive8
I must apologise the correct velocity for the 117gn SST is 3,370fps and the 100gn TTSX is 3650 fps. Big hands and little keyboards don't mix to well at times.
Cheers mate Bob