Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 150 or 170s for Marlin 336?

I plan on loading for 30-30 in a Marlin 336RC (circa 1949) and can't figure which bullet weight/manufacture to go with. It shoots the Federal "red box" 150 ammo better than the old Winchester Super X 170gr ammo by a good margin but I don't know if the 170s would be more reliable on deer. I have zero experience with a 30-30 so I'm starting from scratch. I have H-4895 and TAC on hand for propellants so I'll start with either of those. Thanks

I like 170gr Speers

My M94 has a particular fondness for Hornady 170s and 748.

I don't think you will see a distinct advantage with either weight on deer, so you can probably use what is the most accurate in your rifle without worrying too much about terminal performance. Either one will kill the heck outa deer.

I've always used 170's in my 30/30's.
Seems to work quite well.

I second what Steelhead said. I owned a 1950s-era 336A w/24" barrel. It shot the Speer 170 really well and that bullet has an excellent ballistic coefficient for a flat-nosed bullet. My rifle also liked the Remington 170-grain round-nosed Core-Lokt. I was able to buy them in bulk from Midway which allows you to shoot much more cheaply than buying bullets by the 100.

150's in Hornandy or Speer.

Thanks fellas.

I use to rely on the heavier 170s, when buying store bought ammo..

since I started handloading, as Hawk Driver says.. I find the 150s from Speer, Hornady or Sierra work just fine and give it some more range..

I've killed quite a few deer with a Marlin 336 in 30-30win. I never could tell a difference between a 170 or 150 with the slow velocity of that cart. The bulk 150grn RN Rem CLs from midway shot better than the Speer 150s and Hdy 170s in my particular rig. 32grns of H4895 under a 150 should give you around 2300+ and perform quite well.

Also had good accuracy and better trajectory with 150grn Hdy SSTs over H4895, but you'll have to use it as a two shooter(one in the pipe and one in the mag).

Good Luck

loder

My 336A with 24" barrel likes 170 Hornady FP ahead of RL15.

Thanks fellas. I figure on trying 150 Sierra FPs first probably with TAC and H-4895. I appreciate the info.

TAC is working great in one of my 30/30's with 150's but I haven't tried it in the other one yet.

Try both, rely on what shoots best.

The reason both the 150 and 170 factory loads remain popular is that both work quite well. Given that something like 90% of all deer are shot inside 100 yards and 90% of the rest inside 150 you won't be short changed with the old tried and true round and rifle.

That's good to know Steelhead. I was hoping it would be good, I know it is in 300 Savage.