I just picked up my first lever gun - a new 336SS and wanted to take it out shooting at paper. In order to save some money on trial-and-error, can anyone recommend me a couple good choices on ammo? One plinker, one self-defense and one deer round. I believe the latter two can be achieved with the Leverevolution stuff but I'm looking for other options as well. If you have a 336, what is proven to be accurate and what should I avoid?
Marlin 336 ammo recommendations?
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Dustin0104
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Well for hunting with a factory round Winchesters ballistic silvertip is fantastic, imagine it would work well for defense. I have personally killed several deer and all were DRT with this ammo, really makes the 30-30 shine
Al Thompson
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I've gotten better accuracy with 170 grain loads than 150s. Probably vary a bit with individual rifles. IME, big box stores usually have some inexpensive .30-30 ammo. For plinking or HD/SD it will work fine. 
Try anything cheap, and it will usually be fine. I used Winchester white box 150s till I began to reload years ago. The new leverevolution achieves greater velocity and the bullet is really unique and optimied for this caliber. Its also actually really cheap. It would certainly be my best choice for hunting.
I don't doubt that all of them will work, its the accuracy I'm most concerned about.
I've heard (read) that too. So the question is, how inaccurate are the 150's compared to the 170's? Less than 100 yards I realize it makes little difference, so the question is for the 100-150 range.
I've heard (read) that too. So the question is, how inaccurate are the 150's compared to the 170's? Less than 100 yards I realize it makes little difference, so the question is for the 100-150 range.
I noticed that Winchester's .30-30 selection has a lot of pointy bullets. Here is where I show my naivety, but isn't that a no-no for lever guns? And if so, why do they make them?
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The plian old 170 grain Winchester loads sold at Walmart seem to work best for me. I'm not an expert on SD loads for a 30-30, but would look at some of the 125 gr loads designed for varmits. I've heard of guys using them to reduce over-penetration concerns.
Some of the Winchester bullets are round vs flat nosed. Round should not be a problem. Some companies are making sharp pointed 30-30 bullet's now, but are using a soft rubber tip. The rubber flexes to prevent detonating a primer in the magazine, but gives a much more aerodynamic profile for better long range ballistics.
Some of the Winchester bullets are round vs flat nosed. Round should not be a problem. Some companies are making sharp pointed 30-30 bullet's now, but are using a soft rubber tip. The rubber flexes to prevent detonating a primer in the magazine, but gives a much more aerodynamic profile for better long range ballistics.
Honestly, I tried a few different loads, I think Wolf Gold, Remington Core-loc, and a maybe a Federal load. All of them shot 1.5-2" at 100 yards. It really didn't matter what I put in it, they all shot pretty well. Every gun likes it's own thing, but mine really didn't seem to care one way or another what you fed it.
Craigman
Member
mine shoots the 150 core-lokt very good, and when I tried the LeverEvolution, they shot real good too. Just 6-8 inches higher......
CajunBass
Member
The plain old 150-170 grain loads have been around for 100 years or so for a reason.
They work.
One might work better in one gun than in the next one of course. In my experience there isn't much difference.
They work.
One might work better in one gun than in the next one of course. In my experience there isn't much difference.
NJGarand
Member
My 336 likes the Winchester silvertips in 150gr the best.
squarles67
Member
After trying lots of different ammo in both 150 and 170 grain I found the Winchester 150g Silvertip (plain silvertip not the expensive ones ) shoot the best in mine. The leverevolution for whatever reason is not very accurate for me.
) shoot the best in mine. The leverevolution for whatever reason is not very accurate for me.
mdauben
Member
Actual "pointy" bullets (as opposed to the plastic tipped LEVERevolution line from Horaday) may be intended for use in .30-30 barreled Contender single-shot pistols. The .30-30 seems to be a popular medium game round for the Contender, and unlike a lever gun, it can handle pointed bullets.
BrocLuno
Member
There are some 30-30 bolt guns out there too. they shoot pointy bullets just fine
Dustin0104
Member
The Winchester silvertips have a rounded profile and they are intended for lever guns. I haven't tested at 100 yards (no 100 yard shots here) but from a scoped 336 I have seen 1 hole groups at 50.
wilbur970
Member
Mine also likes 150 grain - and my shoulder likes it too! I also have a Model 94 in .32 Winchester Special. While not a whole lot bigger than the 336 30-30 I noticed a huge difference in both punch and speed when shooting the Model 94 in a 170 grain lever load.
I got lucky with my 336A. It shoots very very well with 150gr bullets which I prefer for deer. With 170gr bullets it likes groups are around 1.5"-1.75" at 100 yards which is still good enough. The Hornady 160gr LeverEvolution shoots as well as the 150gr ammo. Give Win Power Points a try as well as the Federal Fusion ammo. The Win is pretty cheap and very effective though I've not used them yet. I stuck with the 150gr Federal Fusion ammo as it super accurate out of my 336A. It also gave me the added advantage of being of bonded construction which I liked in case I came across a black bear.
For SD purposes see how well the Federal 125gr HP works for you.
For SD purposes see how well the Federal 125gr HP works for you.
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