What powder and charge for a accurate 30-30 lead bullet, marlin

[Sharps-Nut]

I recently bought a model 336 marlin.  I have a 180 grain lyman round nose gc bullet mould, 311291 I think.  What powder and charge do you folks would be a good starting point for a mild yet accurate load.  I tried sr4756 and unique in a winchester and accuracy was poor.  Will the marlin do better or was my lack of accuracy a powder choice issue?   Any insight appreciated.

[Castaway]

I suspect your Marlin is accurate.  Biggest problem with Marlins and cast bullets is the bullet is too small in diameter.  Microgroove rifling will shoot cast bullets fine if they are another 0.001'-0.002" over bore diameter.

[John Traveler]

I've had excellent results with the Lyman 311291 RNGC bullet in several .30 caliber rifles.  It was actually designed for the .30-30.  The best accuracy using cast bullets is usually found with the long nose bore riding bullet designs by Lyman, RCBS, and others.

For powder charges, you can use IMR 4895, IMR 4064, and IMR 3031 to duplicate factory jacketed bullet velocities.  Reduced velocity charges using Unique also work well.  Easy accuracy of 2" groups at 100 yards using iron sights.  The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook lists extensive powder charge and bullet combinations that work very well.

I'd follow Castaway's advice and start with a sized diameter of 0.309" for that Marlin.

[wgr]

I've had good results with that bullet and blc2 using jacket bullet loads.sized to .309 in my marlin

[Sharps-Nut]

Thanks for the infor.  Will the bullets need to be hard or will wheel weights be hard eneogh?

[John Traveler]

I've had good results using wheelweights for the reduced charge Unique loads, and linotype alloy for the factory duplication loads.

You can play with different bullet alloys, powder charges, and velocities.  That gas check makes the bullet very forgiving and prevents barrel leading.

[jjamna]

My mold is 160 grain. IMR 3031 is the most accurate in my Win 94. I haven't tried them in the Marlin yet though I don't think they will be big enough for the bore on the marlin.

[Lloyd Smale]

I use mostly unique for light cast loads and re7 for heavier loads. Use any load data for jacketed bullets out of manual for the same weight as cast. To give a specific load is a waste as 3030s seem to be even more load sensitive then most and youll need to test your own gun to find the majic one.

[Sharps-Nut]

   Thanks for all of the responses.  When it warms I will have to get out the lead pot and and do some casting.   SN

[Sharps-Nut]

Got a chance to load and shoot some lead.  Tried the unique 311291 bullet at about 12-1300 shot good.  The last group I shot offhand at 75 ft and had two touching one out about 3/4 of an inch.  I am a happy camper witht the micro-groove.  SN

[rob_helms]

Here is some data I worked up in a 336 Marlin;
      Federal Cases, Rem 9 1/2  primers,
      Lee 170gn FN GC cast from WW, water quenched, 50/50 Alox lube.
      Sized 0.311
      This is Hercules (old) 2400. 5 shot groups 70 Degrees

      16.5gr 1832fps    3" @100

      17.0gr 1850fps    2.4"@100

      17.5gr 1900fps    2.75"@100

      18.0gr 1953fps     6.0"@100

      I am currently loading 15.4gr 2400 and am getting 2.5" groups, I haven't 
      chronographed  the  load yet,  but I'm happy with the results.             

[Sharps-Nut]

I was reading your post, that group opened all at once did it not.  I have not had a chance to stretch my loads pat 75 feet, home range in backyard for pistol and 22's with the kids.  I hope we will stop getting the freezing rain and it will warm up for a longer range shoot.  The only problem I have had is I got to having so much fun with that plinking charge I shot up almost all of the bullets I cast.  So its back to casting table before I can actually go range test.  Cold and wind in 30 mph range all weekend, sounds like garge, cast and loading time.  Will try your load and see how it works in mine.   SN

[jhalcott]

  that 311291 mold SHOULD be a 169 grain bullet. It works great in a lot of my .30 caliber guns. I use it with about 8 grains of PB in the 30-30 for plinking with the grand kids to a near max load pushing 2500 fps in the 30-06. That is a deer hunting load!