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what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
#6411531
08/17/16 12:29 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953
txtrophy85
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kinda at a loss over this one.
I traded an acquaintance a savage 30-06 for a JM stamped Marlin 336 in 30-30
showed some wear but otherwise looked to be in good shape for a knockabout gun which is what I wanted it for. I topped it with a leupold Vari-X II 2x7 which is about the perfect scope for that rifle.
I had a few boxes of green box remmy 150 grain which is a pretty standard load for a 30-30. they seemed to shoot well in my old model 94 although I kept that gun open sight and never really shot it at the bench.
I am having problems getting the gun to group. after I did the swap, I took the gun apart and noticed what appeared to be a few pits in the rifling but otherwise it was clean and bright. this gun probably hadn't been cleaned since it was bought. anyway, I cleaned it up and although the suspect pit marks remain the bore otherwise shined up nice. my uncle has an older .270 that has some significant pitting in it and it still shoots about 1 1/2 in groups so I wasn't overly concerned about it.
I took this rifle to the bench and I just cannot get it to group. i'm talking about getting 3"-5" groups. its all over the 10 ring...enough to not really be able to sight it because its just such a random pattern. I know its not gonna be a one hole gun but what is considered acceptable accuracy for a 336? I am gonna change the ammo to see if that helps at all, any suggestions on what these guns with the micro groove barrel do and don't like?
I like the gun but i really would like it to be more than a 50 yard rifle, even if that's as far as i ever shoot it at game
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411539
08/17/16 12:34 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,200
Korean Redneck
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I have a mid-2000's produced 336 and it too has a 2-7 scope. I got much better results out of the hornady leverevolution stuff, much closer to about 1.5-2" at 100 yards.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411546
08/17/16 12:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
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I would get rid of that rifle.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411557
08/17/16 12:42 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
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I get much better groups out of my 336 using 170 grain bullets. I shoot the Federal blue boxes, but Remington groups almost as good. My rifle hates the Hornady Leverevolutions. I really wanted them to work well. The ballistics are much better, but I just couldn't get decent groups.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411561
08/17/16 12:46 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,710
603Country
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My Dad's old 336 was a great hunting rifle that he NEVER cleaned. And one year we went to sight it in and it shot wash bucket sized groups. The Micro Groove rifling was too far gone. He got it rebarrelled and all was good.
The shallow rifling in your bore might be nearly past it's useful life. Maybe. But don't give up on it yet.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411564
08/17/16 12:47 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
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BTW, I installed a Wild West trigger and it shoots a LOT better now. Also, make sure your forearm ring is not tight. That will make it shoot all over.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411569
08/17/16 12:49 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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I am gonna change the ammo to see if that helps at all That's the next step. I'd leave it fouled before doing so.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411607
08/17/16 01:08 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,775
P_102
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Please explain the forearm ring not tight. It comes from the factory tight as well as the ring at the end of the bbl/magazine. Thank you. P_102
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: 603Country]
#6411631
08/17/16 01:19 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953
txtrophy85
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My Dad's old 336 was a great hunting rifle that he NEVER cleaned. And one year we went to sight it in and it shot wash bucket sized groups. The Micro Groove rifling was too far gone. He got it rebarrelled and all was good.
The shallow rifling in your bore might be nearly past it's useful life. Maybe. But don't give up on it yet. its not shallow at all. i can see all the lands clearly....i don't think the rifle had more than a box of shells thru it when i bought it
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: Palehorse]
#6411635
08/17/16 01:20 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953
txtrophy85
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I get much better groups out of my 336 using 170 grain bullets. I shoot the Federal blue boxes, but Remington groups almost as good. My rifle hates the Hornady Leverevolutions. I really wanted them to work well. The ballistics are much better, but I just couldn't get decent groups. changing grains is gonna be my next step. for what its worth i know several guys which 336's and leverevolution and they can't get decent groups with the micro-grooved barrel in that ammo style
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411636
08/17/16 01:20 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,993
ImTheReasonDovesMourn
Snarky Mark
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Snarky Mark
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That's funny. I was about to tell you to try LeverEvolution. I've only fired it from 3 rifles, but it's been the most accurate ammo for all 3. Two Marlins and a Mossberg 464.
Last edited by ImTheReasonDovesMourn; 08/17/16 01:23 AM.
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: ImTheReasonDovesMourn]
#6411664
08/17/16 01:30 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
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That's funny. I was about to tell you to try LeverEvolution. I've only fired it from 3 rifles, but it's been the most accurate ammo for all 3. Two Marlins and a Mossberg 464. I have no question that it's quality ammo. My particular rifle just didn't like it. Why? I have no idea.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411695
08/17/16 01:55 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,604
chalet
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I spent a little time getting getting acceptable accuracy out of a Marlin 1894 44mag. It was a little irritatin at 1st to say the least.
1st, try different ammo. No telling it doesn't like what your other gun likes but thats the way it is. Also since you never scoped the Winchester and didn't group it off a bench you can't be sure it wasn't running 3-5" groups also. 2nd, make sure your rings and bases are torqued right. 3rd, lever guns are different critters, if you are loading a full magazine and running through them every round you shoot and eject changes the weight hanging off your barrel and therefore the harmonics. Might try loading one at a time. 4th, since your barrel isn't floated any change in position, pressure, etc off the bench will show more in your groups than it will a decent bolt rifle.
Finally, most importantly, understand these guns aren't target rifles. Redefine what you think accurate should be in your mind - understand they were engineered to handle well as opposed to group well. Find some ammo you can get 2-3" or so and smile every time you roll a critter.
Shoot. Eat. Repeat.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411721
08/17/16 02:19 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
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If the change in ammo doesn't work, read Paco Kelly's article on accurizing a lever gun.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411725
08/17/16 02:22 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
cabosandinh
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my friend has a brand new rifle that wouldn't group
i took a look at it and noticed a bulge in the barrel
probably from shooting a squib load followed by a full load
check your barrel
also , check the muzzle , if it's whacked that could be another source of your random pattern - that's an easy fix: cut and recrown
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411750
08/17/16 02:32 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,251
jhenderson
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Everyone I've been around 2-3" consistently.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: Palehorse]
#6411839
08/17/16 03:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,993
ImTheReasonDovesMourn
Snarky Mark
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Snarky Mark
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It's crazy how you can take 2 consecutive rifles off the same assembly line and they will like completely different loads. Guns are goofy.
Haha yea I polished that thing for hours.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: Palehorse]
#6411854
08/17/16 03:28 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 988
cyphertext
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That's funny. I was about to tell you to try LeverEvolution. I've only fired it from 3 rifles, but it's been the most accurate ammo for all 3. Two Marlins and a Mossberg 464. I have no question that it's quality ammo. My particular rifle just didn't like it. Why? I have no idea. Same here... couldn't even keep it on paper with my Marlin 336.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6411973
08/17/16 10:45 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
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I'm betting you will find something it likes. But it's not likely to ever meet bolt gun accuracy standards.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6412104
08/17/16 01:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 423
RafterH
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Bird Dog
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Like others have stated, my Marlin only likes 170 gr.. My Winchester seemed to like the Leverevolution. Go to Marlinowners.com. Great accuracy tips there. Good group. My Marlins amaze me when I pay attention. I have a 30-30 and a 444. Both are more accurate than the WIn.
Last edited by RafterH; 08/17/16 01:10 PM.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6412114
08/17/16 01:19 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 550
jdh78
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I have a '67 336 that belonged to my grandfather. It was kept clean and has good rifling but I have no idea how many rounds have been through it. It groups great with the cheaper Winchester power points-with a 4x scope I can hold 1.5 to 2". The last time I shot out a 1" bull at 100 yard but I didn't track how many rounds it took. I have had great luck with Winchester ammo in all of my rifles. My 30-30 along with my bolt guns hate Remington ammo.
I'd clean it, shoot a magazine worth through it and then shoot for a group with different ammo and a cold barrel.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6412265
08/17/16 02:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953
txtrophy85
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For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6412283
08/17/16 03:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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Brothers 4570 will cut the same hole at 75 yards iron sight... but that's easier when the holes you make are a 1/2 inch wide Like you said I would try the 170's. A lot of people I know that shoot a 3030 say they like one or the other not both.
Last edited by redchevy; 08/17/16 03:08 PM.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6412363
08/17/16 04:02 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 327
tehachapi
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Re: what kind of accuracy out of a Marlin 336 30-30?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6412426
08/17/16 04:31 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
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I installed one of these on my 336 and I'm very pleased with it. http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/triggers-parts/triggers/trigger-happy-kit-prod16630.aspxIt eliminates the "Marlin flop" and lightens the trigger pull to about 3 lbs. It breaks much cleaner with very little creep. On mine after installing the trigger, it has just the slightest creep to a point, with a slight wall before it breaks. Almost like a 2 stage trigger but more subtle. Some dry fire practice with a snap cap and now I know that break instinctively. It's an easy install if your are at all handy with tools. Much better than the factory trigger. At $100 though, I would try everything else first.
Last edited by Palehorse; 08/17/16 04:36 PM.
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