Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions I am having difficulties shooting 150gr bullets accuratly in my marlin 336w.

I am having difficulties shooting 150gr bullets in my marlin 336w. The 170 gr load well and shoot 1/2"-3/4" at 100 yds using LVR and H4895 but not the 150gr. I have tried RL15,Varget and some others. I start at the low range of the chosen powder and work up in .5 gr increments. I don't call 2 " groups accurate.

How are you determining the seating depth or does it make a difference in your groups??

Can you share any load combinations for 150 gr bullets that are accurate???

Helpful advice is always welcomed
Thanks
ABLE

ANYBODY?????
Currently 58 views and not even a hello or helpful hint on what to do. Seems their are a lot of readers and little advice.

BTT
THANKS IN ADVANCE ABLE

I no longer have a 30-30 of any variety so I am only speculating.
Are both bullet weights the same contour, round nose or flat nose?
I'm wondering if the seating stem in your dies fits the 170s more closely and is keeping that bullet straighter.

That's all I've got, good luck!

My rifle shoots 170 grain bullets noticeably more accurate than 150s, also.

I simply forgot about 150s and use 170s exclusively.

My Marlins generally prefer 170's over 150's. I don't see a problem there.

I have had the same experience and shoot, mostly, 170 grain factory loads. The Hornady 160 grain FTX LeverEvolutions also shoot good groups from my Savage 170 and 340.

You might try adjusting your COL to varying distances from the lands to see if it helps your groups. Some people load to just kiss the lands, others find a small distance from them helps. Have you checked your loads for concentricity and compared runout for the 170 loads to the 150's? 170's have more bearing surface to be stabilized than 150's, so it's not surprising that they would shoot more accurately. 2" groups may not give you a perfectionist's warm fuzzy, but for the ranges a 30-30 is good for, it is plenty accurate for hunting purposes.

I am going to stick with the 170 gr bullets for now. Nice to here others have the same experience.

Thanks a bunch guys
ABLE

ABLE;
Many are reluctant to offer advice or loading data lest the asker misuses that data and tries to hold the askee/responder responsible for the misuse of said information.

Having said that; I have a load I've been using since the late '70s straight from the old DuPont IMR loading pamphlet/guide.

I load and shoot this recipe to this day in my two 336s. It IS HOT by today's data in all the manuals but it is the most accurate load ever shot in these two Marlins AND in my H&R .30-30 barrel with 150 gr SSTs.

Speer/Sierra; Take your pick...Both equally accurate. IMR 4895 37.0gr/ WW brass/ WLR primer (Started using originally Win. 8-1/2-120 primers and went with newer WLR Standard primer when they hit the shelves). Still have a few old 8-1/2s laying around. If 5 shots covered completely by a nickel at 100 yds. doesn't fit your need, then; [It Ain't Gonna Get Did].

Stats are:

H-2423; L-2387; AVG.-2406. ES-36/SD-18.(150 SIERRA)

H-2444; L-2402; AVG.-2423. ES-42/SD-29.(150 SPEER)

These above loads are from DuPont/IMR GUIDE [1971] and initially loaded in Nov.'75; Still loading same today. Chronoed loads in Oct '91 @ 12' w/OEHLER 35-P (these particular rounds originally loaded in Oct.80)
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H-2342; L-2263; AVG.-2311. ES-79/SD-34. (150 SIERRA; 37.0 BLC-2/ WW/WLR/STC/10 shots< Quarter)

H-2247; L-2228; AVG.-2239. ES-19/SD-10. (HOR. 170FP/37.0gr BLC-2/Rem case/9-1/2 /STC=2.550 OAL. Chronoed in Oct.'07; BOTH-New loads at that time(JULY 15)
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H-2719; L-2713; AVG.-2716. ES-06/SD-04.[TRUE FIGURES] (SPEER 130FP/38.0/H322/FED/200/2.550"; 5,*five* shots covered by a dime @ 100 yds; 37.0-322=2663 AVG. w/ same accuracy.

H-2561; L-2521; AVG.-2545. ES-40/SD-20. (130 SPEER HP/37.8 IMR 4895/Fed/200; Seated deep enough to crimp the case mouth over the shank/shoulder junction compresses the powder enough to keep the bullet in place w/o too-short OAL. 3/8" C-C 5 shots. Chronoed AUG.'03.
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As said previously, these loads are Hot by today's data but are still okay in MY Marlins. I make no assumptions as to their safe operation in your rifle(s). You asked for 150gr load info, and here are some. Perhaps the 130gr loads will be accurate in your guns also. I've tried various powder/wgt./bullet combos, and IMR 4895 has been the most accurate by far in MY 336s, followed by H322.

Can't speak for any other combo in any other rifle.... Each one is an entity unto its own.

Good luck;

WILL


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If 170s are grouping 1/2" to 3/4" at 100, why the Hell bother with anything else?

My Marlin 30AS (economy version 336) also has a preference for 170's but my best 150 load was with 36.4 gr. of BL-C2 and Sierra 150 gr. RN's which were averaging 2210 fps over the Chrony. But it's basically a short range woods gun and my 170 gr. load is better, accuracy-wise, so that's what I go with. Never played with seating depth on the .30-30; just seat 'em to about the cannelure and check the overall length and thereby avoid any feeding issues, (or so I've been told). No fancy precision reloading tricks are used for my .30-30; ( I save those for a few of my bolt guns).

What he said !!!!!!