336W Open Sights Accuracy

The attached picture shows a 100 yard target that I shot, this A.M.
The rifle used was a new, out-of-the-box, Marlin 336W, 30-30 from the Del Rio,Texas Wal-Mart. I used the factory installed sights.
The rifle was shooting high and right as received, so I drifted the sight to the left and dropped the sight 2 notches on the elevator. Shots marked 1,2 &3 were the last three shots on the target, I called the shot marked #2 to the right when it occured.
Extreme spread of the last 3 shots is 4-3/4". I plan on using the rifle, as is, to make my deer hunting a little more challenging.
In your experience, is the accuracy achieved acceptable for shots to 150 yards??

P.R.

no experience with 150 yards and open sights, but I have an opinion based on your post...
I would not hesitate to use those open sites at 100 yards, given that spread. 150 would probably be pushing it, assuming that the spread will, well spread 1/2 again as much, plus have some drop to it. By then you might be pushing the limits of a vital organ shot on deer sized game.

Disclaimer - I am conservative in my shot selections.

What was the shooting position, off the bench, offhand or a field position?

A skilled rifleman should be able to shoot fairly close to the capability of the rifle with iron sights off the bench. Many won't believe this but optics shouldn't make but a 10-20% improvement at absolute most. Although this is largely based on the eyesight of the shooter, bench technique and iron sight proficiency are also critical. I've shot quite a few sub-MOA 100yd groups with buckhorn sights. Based on the target above, I would not feel comfortable shooting at deer beyond 100yds, if that.

I would strongly suggest investing in a good receiver sight like the Williams Foolproof. Your rifle is already drilled & tapped for it. It will make it much easier to shoot your rifle accurately.

Being a redneck from the backwoods of the Dirty South I'll say this " That be a dead deer right there boy". Now the competitive long range rifle shooter in me wants to have a hissy fit at the thought of that grouping being anywhere close to acceptable :) The truth probably lies somewhere in between.

To 100 yards, you are all set. The only way to tell if you are ready for 150 is to try her at that range.

I have a stock 336W which shoots about the same, any of the rem/fed/win factory hunting loads. Handloads will take anywhere from 1 to 2 inches off of the group sizes.