Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions 336 Lever Scout Range Report

I finally got the 336 out to the range for some testing. I had some 170 g Remington Corelokts and some 170g FP Sierra / Varget handloads.

The rifle; a 60s vintage, straight stocked 336 in 30-30. Lever Scout mount, Williams reciever sight with firesight front, and a Leupold Scout scope with Leupold quick release low mount rings.

Sunny, 82*, wind quartering from rear. Front sandbags both elbows on the table.

I started out at 50 yards with the Williams sights and the Remington Corlokts. The front fire sight was VERY visable. I was using the yellow insert. What I didn't like was the size. It completely obscured a 4" bull @ 50 yards. It might look perfect on the side of a buck but I was very disappointed.

My first shots were over the paper. I didn't bring the correct screwdrivers to make the ajustment so I started to aim low to get it on the paper. Placing the bull on top of the firesight got me on the paper and allowed me to get some groups. The groups weren't very impressive but showed promise.

Time to put on the Scope... The scope screwed on quickly. The generous eye relief allowed the front ring to be set all the way forward with a little adjustment still available on the scope front and back. After three 2 shot groups I'm centered on the bull. I switch to my Varget Starting loads and get a 3 shot group that is three shots touching at 6:00 on the bull. Now I'm smiling.

I move to 100 yards tables and fire two shots to center the groups on the bull. The wind is blowing and everyone is shooting 3-6" groups. My first 5 shot group is 3-1/2" with the Varget Handloads. It gets a little notice from the bolt guys.

My next batch of rounds are 30.5gr of Varget and the results are similar, 3-4" groups. The 32 gr of Varget loads go inside of three inches with the best group measuring 2-3/8" ( 4 of 5 inside of 1-5/8") The 32g load centered 2" above the x ring.

I ended on that note as I was running out of time and still wanted to shoot my 1894 in 44 magnum before the range closed. Needless to say I was pleased. The wind made accurate shooting a real challenge and guys that normally keep em inside an 1-1/2" weren't doing any better than me and the old 336 with the low power Leupold on it.

Load data:
170gr Sierra FP bullet
29gr, 30.5gr & 32 gr of H Varget (published max of 33 grains)
CCI 200 Large Rifle Primers
Winchester once fired cases trimmed to 2.028"
Lee Dies with Factory Crimp
COL 2.520"

After firing the cases measured 2. 032- 2.036" in the 32g load.

I think I'll load up some more 32 grain loads and a 32.5 for next time and see how it does. I'm already looking forward to next Friday!

Sounds like a very good day!
I have been shooting a forward mounted 2.5X scope on my 16" Winchester Trapper for several years now. I found I shot the smallest groups when using a large black square on a stark white background. I algin the cross hairs on the corner. This helps prevent canting. Using all four corners you can shoot four groups without changing targets. This system helps me align the thick cross hairs on my scope. It is great for off hand shooting but a little harder to shoot groups with.

I have shot both Hodgdon Varget and Alliant Reloader 15 in the .30-30AI. In the standard .30-30 I have only shot Reloader 15.
In the 20" Winchester Black Shadow the combination of the Hornady 170 grain bullet and 33.1 grains of RL15 gave us 2189 fps with groups around the 1.5" size. Some a little bigger and a very few a little smaller. 34.1 grains of Reloader 15 gave us 2221 fps with the best groups in the 1.6" range and the majority in the 1.75" range. The Black Shadow is harder for me to shoot than the wood stocked rifles. Cannot explain that.
Both of these loads rate 31% efficency using Ken Howells formula. Thats about as good as it gets.

I have a 336C 30/30, just put one of those Williams peep w/ fire site on it a few weeks ago . It always liked those (factory) 170's. I loaded some Win. brass with Win primers & 32gr�s of W748 powder & toped it with Sierra�s 170 flat nose. Group so well at 100yds, I thought I�d try 150yds.


Try raising that peep up a bit. That way you can drop the front & use the very top of the front "dot" as the "pin point". If I didn't it would have covered the full midsection of the target at 150yds.

Howie
Your eyes see color a lot better than mine do! I have trouble with orange aim points!
That is good shooting by any standard, and with a fire sight in particular.

The second time out with the 336 scout. The conditions were better, mostly sunny, 73* & only a slight breeze.

Started out with a clean bore but the first three shots were centered on the target ~2.5"

170 grain Sierra FP Pro Hunter on top of 32.5 gr of Varget, CCI 200 primers, COL 2.520".
2-1/4", 2-1/8" (4 of 5 inside 1-1/8")

170 gr Hornady FP #3060, 32.5 gr of Varget, CCI 200 primers, COL 2.540": 2-9/16", 2-3/4", 1-3/4"

150 gr Hornady RN #3035, 33 gr of Varget, CCI 200 primers COL 2.550:
1-3/4", 1-9/16" with 4 of the 5 inside of 5/8"!!!

View target at
http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1057735

It' seems my LeverScout likes the 150 grainers. I didn't load that many because a friend with two 336 didn't shoot them very well (~6" groups in one and 3+ in the other) with this same load. I guess it goes to show you Every gun is different.

If your gun loves 150's and your gonna hunt with it then you�ll have to try those �PMC 30/30 Starfire� (SFHP). They seem to be very popular. I�ve been trying to get some, but you practally have to be at the store (or website) when the truck pulls in. I did just catch Midway when they got some more in. Bought a box, along with some 170 Rem HP�s (my 336 likes 170's better). They�re the only two factory 30/30 HP�s you can get.
Handloading, there�s 125gr Sierra HP�s that yours should love. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />