Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 35-30 Anybody?

I just had a Marlin 336 re-bored by JES to a 35-30. I don't have any reloading dies yet and haven't shot it. Have any of you guys had any experience with this chambering?

Never heard of it.

Some load data here: https://www.levergunscommunity.org/viewtopic.php?t=46854

I don't have any experience with the cartridge and cannot vouch for the data, but the Leverguns community forums generally are pretty knowledgeable.

If you do an internet search of .35-30 wildcat, you'll turn up a bunch of information.

I'm still interested in this. Have been for years. I'm glad to hear others are still interested. Be Well. Rusty

Yes. My circa 1981 Marlin 336C (and its then rusty bore) became one via JES handiwork. I've had some luck with gas-checked cast bullets over Re-7. I don't push them too hard. CH4D dies. I only shoot lead bullets in mine, so I got a 35 Short Lyman M die for bullet seating and a Lee factory crimp die (I got their 356/358 Win model and it seems to work).

I'm going the cheaper route on the reloading dies. I got a 358 Win neck sizing die, and a separate bullet seater and crimper (same as yours). I have found out though others that once you fire form your 30-30 brass, all you need is a neck sizer and a way to seat and crimp. Evidently the round doesn't screw up the brass much and if you only shoot them out of the very same rifle every time, a full length sizing isn't needed. Some guys use .357 dies, but I decided to get a set of 358 because I may buy a .358 in the future. I intend to try jacketed as well as hard cast for deer. Whatever it shoots the best at a decent speed. Do you shoot any lead or cast revolver bullets in yours? I'm wondering about a quiet pest round.

I'm another that has an interest. In fact I bought a NOS Zane Grey octagon barrel for it.

I read somewhere that a few Remington M788s in 30-30 were converted to 35-30 back in the 70s

Never heard of it, but now I want one.

I've got a Savage 1899 barrel in 30-30 that has a slight bulge in the chamber neck area that would be a good candidate for this rebore. Been toying with the idea.

That would be a sweet combo. you could maybe even go to 38-55 or 375 Win if there's enough diameter on the barrel. You may need to get another magazine spindle or modify yours. JES would be able to tell you what you need to know. I like the 35-30 because you can also use .357 Mag revolver bullets as well as rifle bullets, within their speed range.

No on the revolver cast bullets although I have some 210 or 215's for a .41 Mag. I've never considered it as I'd rather shoot a gas-checked rifle bullet.

I may have to experiment with light loads. I have quite a few choices on my bench. Right now I'm going to work up a decent hunting load for this season. I have the Speer 220 spfn and the Hornady 200gr. round nose. Later on down the road I will start trying out some gas check hard cast rifle bullets.

I use the Remington 200 gr RN designed for the 35 Remington in my 358 Winchester. Buy them bulk from MidwayUSA when they are on sale. Be Well. Rusty

Thanks Rusty, I already did that. I have some .358 dies that are working well to load the 35-30. I use the ,358 neck sizing die and a separate seating and crimping die. No need to full length size these as long as I use the same rifle. I also have me some 220 Speer Hot Core to play with.

I have some WFN 280 grn I'm going to load. Loaded them for the Whelen but traded it off before I got a chance on some hogs or deer. Would be slow but hard to stop. Good luck with em. I always wanted to do the TC Encore with an improved rimmed in 35 caliber. Good luck and Be Well. Rusty

Where did you get that Zane Gray barrel? I have a 336 in need of some TLC and would love to get one.