Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions 170gr Nosler 30-30 load?

Having lousy luck getting my 336RC in 30-30 to group, except with one exception. Been buying and loading 150gr and my groups are running 3-6". Shot an old box of factory Winchester 170gr Nosler Partition and got 1.2" with a 4x scope at 100 yards. More than happy with that..

So, since Winchester doesn't sell that any more, anybody got some favorite loads for 170gr NPs?

Uggh.. my bad. Lack of sleep is an ugly thing...:-) Wasn't Winchester NP, was Federal, and it looks like they still sell it. Federal Premium Vital*Shok 170gr NP, P3030D. Midwayusa has it at $19/box.

So now to try to duplicate and then better their load.. 170gr NP at 2200 fps. Suggestions for best powder for 30-30's?

I've recently been using Varget in the 30-30. It works very well. I've also liked IMR 3031. Some shooters swear by RL 15 in this caliber, but I haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

My beloved 336 shoots 170 Noslers into an inch for 3 at 100.Work up to this load,and any other, carefully! Remington cases,CCI200 primers and 36 grains of BL-C2. 2150 over my F-1 Chrony. However,when shooting off the bench with sandbags I found MUCH better results putting the bag under the reciever,just ahead of the lever pivot, than under the forend.As a former bolt gun snob,I was surprised that most leverguns shoot as well as a bolt once the proper technique is learned.Consistent grip tension, good breath control and trigger squeeze are critical as is followthrough. Hope it helps

Another vote for Varget. My best 170 g bullet has been the Hornady. I haven't tried the noslers though. Sierras were OK and Remington bullets didn't pattern at all.

Okay.. gonna have to pick up some Varget this weekend. I was about to give up on the NPs until I shot that factory ammo. It's my preferred bullet, so I'm willing to play around until I find the right powder to duplicate it. With luck I'll get the groups down to at least 2" so it can come out in the field with me (max 75yd shot).

Thanks all!