.30 GIBBS is finally ready ...

I've taken the time to read all of the posts on this without making a reply.
I used to work or help out, rather; a gunsmith just a few blocks away.
He had arthritis so bad he couldn't properly toque anything.
I was in jr. high school and was far past fastenated with guns and reloading.
He liked to pay me in trade and the one rifle I got from him came in the form of a .30 Gibbs.
It came with lots of fire formed brass and about 100 rnds of loaded ammo.
I think they were 150 gr Hornady old school bullets.
It was the most accurate rifle I ever owned. I ended up selling it because I didn't know how to order Wildcat diesback in the 80's.
I sold it to a fellow in north Idaho.
Wish I never parted with that gun.
Thanks FEENIX
Wish ya the best with this gun

Perhaps it is not too late to build another. Cheers!

Ed
 
Berger 205s.jpg


New bullet to try on the next opportunity.
 
(NOTE: Please disregard the un-mowed grass, I fertilized the day before and it is wet from 2-days of rain, ... mowing this weekend. That's my story and I am sticking with it. 😇 )

Factory Kimber 84L Hunter in .30-06 ($575) re-chambered to .30 Gibbs ($250, including muzzle threading bead blasting and installation of MB), 4-port Ross Schuler MB ($37), Warne high scope rings ($50), 20 MOA EGW rail ($70), and topped with USO TS-12 3-12 FFP ($325).

View attachment 192716
View attachment 192714
View attachment 192715
View attachment 192718
(This is my lightest scoped hunting rifle thus far, average 10-12 lbs).

I managed to make it to the range yesterday to do some fire-forming ...

View attachment 192717
(From L-R: .35 Whelen virgin brass, after re-sizing, fire-formed with 11g WSF (COW method), and after re-sizing).

Not sure what to load at this time but I have the following bullets readily available Berger 190/210/215/230, Hornady ELD-X 178/212/220 and 208 A-Max, I'm sure I got more just too lazy to dig through. Too many to list on powder choices. ;)

Now the load development fun begins ..................................................................................................................... I just hope, I find the time to do it.

ADDED:

Just for the record, I am in no way trying to convince anyone to build a .30 Gibbs or compare it to a similar improved version. My goal is to simply add to the knowledge base in the forum. If you do a quick search, there is hardly any information about it and they tend to die off. Hopefully, those that have .30 Gibbs that remained quiet will engage and share their experiences.
I would be interested to learn more on the .30 Gibbs.
 
Do you have an idea of the case capacity at this point?
Using 35 Whelen brass as my baseline, I was getting 73.96g H20 after COW method (see #96).

After fire-forming off the chamber with full powder load, I am getting 75.80g of H20. Others are claiming 76-77 depending on brass, esp. using .270/.280.

I have some .280 Rem from Peterson on the way to try.

.30 Gibbs 75.80 H20 after fireforming off the chamber..jpg
 
Last edited:
(NOTE: Please disregard the un-mowed grass, I fertilized the day before and it is wet from 2-days of rain, ... mowing this weekend. That's my story and I am sticking with it. 😇 )

Factory Kimber 84L Hunter in .30-06 ($575) re-chambered to .30 Gibbs ($250, including muzzle threading bead blasting and installation of MB), 4-port Ross Schuler MB ($37), Warne high scope rings ($50), 20 MOA EGW rail ($70), and topped with USO TS-12 3-12 FFP ($325).

View attachment 192716
View attachment 192714
View attachment 192715
View attachment 192718
(This is my lightest scoped hunting rifle thus far, average 10-12 lbs).

I managed to make it to the range yesterday to do some fire-forming ...

View attachment 192717
(From L-R: .35 Whelen virgin brass, after re-sizing, fire-formed with 11g WSF (COW method), and after re-sizing).

Not sure what to load at this time but I have the following bullets readily available Berger 190/210/215/230, Hornady ELD-X 178/212/220 and 208 A-Max, I'm sure I got more just too lazy to dig through. Too many to list on powder choices. ;)

Now the load development fun begins ..................................................................................................................... I just hope, I find the time to do it.

ADDED:

Just for the record, I am in no way trying to convince anyone to build a .30 Gibbs or compare it to a similar improved version. My goal is to simply add to the knowledge base in the forum. If you do a quick search, there is hardly any information about it and they tend to die off. Hopefully, those that have .30 Gibbs that remained quiet will engage and share their experiences.
So this is the brass that you fire formed? You are light years ahead of me. At this time, I am not reloading but that day may not be far off. Have found new brass at $5.51 each with a minimum order of 50. I'm hoping I can find someone who has .30 Gibbs for sale or...
 
So this is the brass that you fire formed? You are light years ahead of me. At this time, I am not reloading but that day may not be far off. Have found new brass at $5.51 each with a minimum order of 50. I'm hoping I can find someone who has .30 Gibbs for sale or...
Qual Cart (http://www.qual-cart.com/300 cal.htm) has them for $39.50/20, not sure of the minimum order. "If" you're looking for someone selling .30 Gibbs loaded ammo, good luck.
 
Last edited:
Qual Cart (http://www.qual-cart.com/300 cal.htm) has them for $39.50/20, not sure of the minimum order. "If" you're looking for someone selling .30 Gibbs loaded ammo, good luck.
That was very helpful. I have purchased some brass. They had just finished a run and I have bought and paid for the brass. Now...I need dies. Do you know where I can purchase .30 Gibbs dies? Name brand, etc.? I don't want to wear out my welcome but, so far, you are batting a thousand.
 
(NOTE: Please disregard the un-mowed grass, I fertilized the day before and it is wet from 2-days of rain, ... mowing this weekend. That's my story and I am sticking with it. 😇 )

Factory Kimber 84L Hunter in .30-06 ($575) re-chambered to .30 Gibbs ($250, including muzzle threading bead blasting and installation of MB), 4-port Ross Schuler MB ($37), Warne high scope rings ($50), 20 MOA EGW rail ($70), and topped with USO TS-12 3-12 FFP ($325).

View attachment 192716
View attachment 192714
View attachment 192715
View attachment 192718
(This is my lightest scoped hunting rifle thus far, average 10-12 lbs).

I managed to make it to the range yesterday to do some fire-forming ...

View attachment 192717
(From L-R: .35 Whelen virgin brass, after re-sizing, fire-formed with 11g WSF (COW method), and after re-sizing).

Not sure what to load at this time but I have the following bullets readily available Berger 190/210/215/230, Hornady ELD-X 178/212/220 and 208 A-Max, I'm sure I got more just too lazy to dig through. Too many to list on powder choices. ;)

Now the load development fun begins ..................................................................................................................... I just hope, I find the time to do it.

ADDED:

Just for the record, I am in no way trying to convince anyone to build a .30 Gibbs or compare it to a similar improved version. My goal is to simply add to the knowledge base in the forum. If you do a quick search, there is hardly any information about it and they tend to die off. Hopefully, those that have .30 Gibbs that remained quiet will engage and share their experiences.
So, now I have the brass and I have a lead on a company to load them. They specialize in obsolete ammunition. Spoke with the wife but not the gentleman who actually does the loading. They have a host of dies but don't have a .30 Gibbs so I will be investing in those, if we strike a deal. My next question is what load? I'm a hunter and, especially at the cost of ammunition for this gun, will not be putting a lot of holes in paper. Probably looking for deer size game. Any suggestions?
 

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