30-30 Win accuracy

That is one heck of an accurate 30-30 you own there! Do not ever sell it.

Nice group, I don't have a picture of any of my Marlin 336 groups but it doesn't surprise me you could do that. I used to have a scope on mine but went the way of irons and a receiver peep sight just for the heck of it.

What model of 30-30 did you use? I've been thinking of picking up a Henry single shot so I can play with different bullet types and CBOL.
.40

Oddly enough, my Marlins never liked the 150grn bullets, but loves the 170's. Part of that may have been powder choice coupled with a bullet it didn't like... I switched from Speers to Winchester bullets and my accuracy doubled. Looks like you found the Magic Mix on your first trip!

joneb said:

I moved the target out to around 100yrds and took a shot with the same bullet but loaded with IMR 8208 XBR I walked out to target and the hole on the target looked good, I took two more shots.

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Hold on while I copy down that load.

That's an incredible group, thanks for sharing! Forty_Caliber asked what model 30-30 you have and I'd like to know as well.

It cracks me up when people dog on 30-30s.
I'm not a fan, but they are accurate.
Lever evolution and a 150rn does the same thing until barrel heat causes poi to climb.

Am of opinion knowing how to shoot a lever has a lot to do with it's accuracy.

zeke said:

Am of opinion knowing how to shoot a lever has a lot to do with it's accuracy.

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There is a lot that goes into making a levergun accurate... some are just good out of the box, others really depend on the right bullet and/or load combo, some need a certain amount of work... usually wood fitment. Good marksmanship plays across all platforms...

I think I'm gonna try to apply this on my 30 Herrett
Been having trouble getting enough speed for stabilization of Nosler 168 gr.HPBT
Constrained to twist of 1:14" and 10" of barrel.
I'll start at 27.5 gr.IMR 8208.
Thanks for the reference of such positive results from a 30-30 case

I think the 30-30 cartridge has excellent inherent accuracy. My 10" and 14" T/C Contender barrels in 30/30 are as accurate as I can hold; both sub-MOA with loads using 150gr. bullets and Win 748.

That kind of accuracy from a lever gun is exciting! Congratulations!

My Winchester model 94 had the worst grouping with factory 150 gr. of any gun I owned including pistols and shotguns with slugs. I switched to Sierra 125 gr. HP bullets and 3031 powder = success.

joneb said:

t's a marlin/Glenfield 36G made in 1965, it has a 20" microgroove barrel and a shortened magazine tube that's about 12" long. The 4x32 scope says Glenfield.

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Obviously a fine barrel on this rifle. However, the shortened magazine tube contributes to the accuracy, I'm sure. No barrel band or magazine tube hanger at the muzzle to affect groups.
I shot a 1 1/2" 100 yard group with an 1895 Marlin .45-70 in the 1970s with a Leupold 4X scope. Also with the half magazine.

I shot a few groups like that with my Marlin 30-30 using Winchester Silver Tips. I was so impressed I went back to WM and bought two more boxes. But they were a different lot # and shot the usual 1.5" groups I normally get. I bought a new Marlin 45/70 back around 2002 and the first 3 shots were touching at 100 yards. By the time I fired 15 shots it was all over the paper. The recoil took that little cheap Pine Ridge scope from Cabelas apart.

Give them a chance and a little time working up loads and lever actions can surprise you. And I bought one of the Glenfield model 30's with half magazine about a year ago and still have never shot it. Maybe I need to get it out and try it. Your groups are excellent. Good shooting.

joneb,
I'm working with the 168 gr. because of it's length.
My Herrett barrel has an exaggerated leade to it's chamber, and the bullets even seated far out still do not find rifling.
I'd like to work on a scenario of cartridge construction to compliment chamber and see how much accuracy can be obtained.
The Herrett cartridges don't receive a lot of load development attention from propellants not used prior. I will do careful ladder load testing using your recommendation and post my results later.
Obviously, bullet stability must be achieved to make this determination so I'm trying to reach a velocity that will offer this.
A flat base bullet may allow a tad more reach down the pipe.
joneb, I thank you sir.
Jimmy

The only centerfire lever gun I own that will shoot a 100 yard group near to that one is my 336 in .35 Rem with a 4x scope. Using the 150 gr Rem Core Lokt PSP (single loaded) it will print a touching cloverleaf.

200 gr. RNSP Rem loads are a scad over an inch.

That’s a great load and a great shooting old .30-30, excellent work on both the reloading bench and the shooting bench!

Stay safe.