Need gunsmith & advice

[dzrtram]

My .30-30 has rested in my safe for years. It has never gone hunting and rarely been shot. After reading many articles, and learning that the .30-30 is one of the very few calibers that benefits quite a bit from the Ackley Improvement, I have decided to do some work on the old 336. I would appreciate input from those of you who have done improvements of any kind. I know I want an action job, trigger work, a big loop lever, and better sights of some kind. What else do I NEED to do? I really intend to use this on deer and smaller critters. I also need a good gunsmith. A lot of you have used DRC, but his email bounces. I could call him, and I may, but I really want a hard copy, itemized cost list. I would really appreciate some helpful advice. I would also appreciate it if you know of a good gunsmith who can do this work in my lifetime. ;) I'm too old for some of the "big name" waiting lists.
Thank you :)

[Oldbob]

I've had a number of these little darlings , and still do have.Both my boys killed their first bucks with .30-30 336's. The only modifications I've ever found necessary are removing burrs and rough spots from the actions until they smooth up (don't mess w/ the trigger unless you know what you're doing), this is an easy improvment and you can do it yourself. Add a hammer extension and sling and they are just about perfect. Mounting a scope or reciever sights is an easy chore as the recievers are already tapped . Most of the area we hunt is wooded and shots seldom exceed 50 yds. so the .30-30 is more than ample for deer , decent shot placment usually "drops them in their tracks" or within a few yards, and a nice side benefit is the .30-30 doesn't spoil a lot of meat in the process.

[dzrtram]

Originally posted by Oldbob@Sep 29 2003, 02:39 AM
I've had a number of these little darlings , and still do have.Both my boys killed their first bucks with .30-30 336's. The only modifications I've ever found necessary are removing burrs and rough spots from the actions until they smooth up (don't mess w/ the trigger unless you know what you're doing), this is an easy improvment and you can do it yourself. Add a hammer extension and sling and they are just about perfect. Mounting a scope or reciever sights is an easy chore as the recievers are already tapped . Most of the area we hunt is wooded and shots seldom exceed 50 yds. so the .30-30 is more than ample for deer , decent shot placment usually "drops them in their tracks" or within a few yards, and a nice side benefit is the .30-30 doesn't spoil a lot of meat in the process.
Good advice! Thank you. :)