Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions 336 30-30 accuracy

Just bought a 336 scope combo for my son's for deer season. The combo included a 4x scope/mount. Installed a Nikon 2x7 rather than the 4x. Shoots well at 100m with Rem 150 and 170 factory (1" two shot group at 100m).

Question - for accuracy what is the best factory load - 150 or 170gr?

Question - with this being a youth rifle, any recommendations on light loads that work well in the Marlin?

Thanks

I generally prefer the 170 grain 30-30 factory loads, but will shoot whatever factory ammo shoots the best groups in a particular rifle. I don't think that there are any reduced 30-30 loads.

I have a Mossberg 472 30-30 that will shoot good groups with Remington 170 grain factory loads, but won't shoot any other brand that I've tried. The previous owner only wanted to shoot 150 grain Winchester factory ammo, but it just won't group in this rifle, so he traded it to me toward a Marlin 336 that doesn't seem to be as sensitive.

Jeff

Only your rifle and time on the range with different loads can answer this question. The work is yours to do. Have fun and stay safe.

Hello fellow Virginian!

I'm afraid you won't know which load will be most accurate without trying them all. But, that's part of the fun.

I don't know of a reduced "youth" loading either. Most of the "youth" or reduced recoil loadings bring the larger cartridges down to the .30-30's recoil and energy levels.

If you are handloading you can start with the 130 gr. flat-tip bullets and starting loads. You can generally bring the .30-30 down to the .30 Herrett level which is still effective when properly placed.

I take it this is the short Marlin, i.e. with 16�" barrel?

Light load for 30-30-----160 gr. lead with 12.5 of 5744---cowboy load---Mag

Thats AA5744---Accurate-Arms---my normal load is 21.5 grs.

Out of the Pet Loads Book, under Gallery loads

.30-30WCF
90 gr Hornady SWC
.310 Diameter
4.0 Unique
2.42 OAL
990 FPS

If that ain't reduced, I don't know what is! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Pat

The Remington ammo seems to shoot fine in your gun. Why change?

For reduced loads, PMC loads 170 gr 1500 fps "cowboy loads" for the 30-30. If you reload Hodgdon lists some reduced loads for H4895 on their website. Have fun!