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Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? #6447381 09/11/16 03:18 PM
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mason15 Offline OP
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Having problems sighting in my marlin 30-30 any ammo suggestions? What distance should i sight it in at?

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447386 09/11/16 03:20 PM
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What kind of issues are you having?

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447400 09/11/16 03:32 PM
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mason15 Offline OP
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what groups should i expect from a Marlin 30-30 at 100yds?

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447407 09/11/16 03:39 PM
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With iron sights, it's dependent upon your eyesight and ability to use irons but I've heard of guys being able to keep three shots under three inches or better. With a scope I'd expect about an inch and a half. I recently surprised myself shooting my 94 with open sights at 50 yards...I managed a three-shot group of 0.9 inch. My eyesight is nothing to brag about anymore, either.


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Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447489 09/11/16 05:06 PM
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Need more info. Factory irons? Peep sight? Scope? What size are your groups?


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Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447496 09/11/16 05:18 PM
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I switched to LeverEvolution ammo in all my lever guns. Love that stuff.

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447535 09/11/16 05:46 PM
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Switch to a 308 bolt gun and live happily ever after

Last edited by Brother in-law; 09/11/16 05:47 PM.
Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447556 09/11/16 05:55 PM
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Groups and 30-30 typically don't go hand in hand. I could get mine to 2.5-3" which is pretty good. Had to play with different ammo and weights to get to that. That's with a scope at 100 yards. Open sights I'm not that good couldn't even get that at 50 yards open sights.

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447576 09/11/16 06:14 PM
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I never felt comfortable over 100yds. I mainly used mine for less then 75. My uncle has made many shots up to 150yds with his and killed many deer

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447670 09/11/16 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted By: mason15
what groups should i expect from a Marlin 30-30 at 100yds?

you can get 2 inches or less with the right
ammo if your gun and scope are right.
for some reason, folks seem to think a
30/30 makes a 90 degree turn into the
ground at the 100 yard mark. i wouldn't
feel handicapped if i only had my 1950
vintage marlin to use for my one and only.

Last edited by maximum; 09/11/16 07:38 PM.
Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447712 09/11/16 08:10 PM
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mason15, I have a Glenfield (Marlin) that the barrel was cut down to 16.25", have it topped with a Leupold VX-Hog scope. Sighted it in 2 weeks back using Federal 150gr softpoints, at 100yds. my final group size was 1.18". Next outing I'll have some 170gr. Remington and 160gr. Hornady, to try.

1) go to the Marlinowners.com site, lots of good information on there about tuning up your rifle.
2) most Marlins will like one weight of bullet better than another, and manufacture.

Does your rifle have barrel bands? Some like the barrel band screws just snugged up, other rifles like them tight.
If using a sandbag rest under the forearm make sure it is just in front of the receiver.

Try out several brands of ammo in different weights to find what your rifle likes, and check out Marlinowners, without more specifics on your rifle this is all I can offer up at the moment.

Do not get discouraged, as Marlins are more accurate than a lot of people think, they are not bench-rest quality, but can hold their own against most factory bolt rifles.

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447905 09/11/16 10:17 PM
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2" groups and about 250 yard range.


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Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6447932 09/11/16 10:30 PM
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Buffalo bore makes some hot ammo that'll stretch about as far as a 30-30 can.

I use my .357 rossi 92 on deer/javelina out to around 75 yards, would imagine the 30-30 would get at least double that.

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6448097 09/12/16 12:46 AM
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My Marlin 336 will shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yards with iron sights and my Winchester Model 94 does even better.

I've also found that Hornady ammo outperforms Remington in both of my 30-30's.


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Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: 7x57] #6448145 09/12/16 01:18 AM
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Originally Posted By: TheWhiteMexican
Buffalo bore makes some hot ammo that'll stretch about as far as a 30-30 can.

I use my .357 rossi 92 on deer/javelina out to around 75 yards, would imagine the 30-30 would get at least double that.


On a lead sled solo, I can get about 1.5" groups with 158gr sjwc and 16.3gr H110 at 100yd. I get about 2" groups on 6.0gr of Titegroup. Since the groups are both close enough for kill shots, I generally only reload with Titegroup; being that the powder cost the same per pound and I get almost 3x the reloads.

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6448316 09/12/16 03:55 AM
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Make sure your rifling isn't full of lead. Clean it, then shoot a couple fouling shots.
Check things for tightness.
Older rifles with Ballard rifling will behave differently from microgroove barrels.
Follow other tips above.

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6448443 09/12/16 12:34 PM
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I get 1" groups using winchester 170 grain ammo. I had the same issue with 150 grain ammo.


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Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6448938 09/12/16 07:09 PM
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What distance should I sight it in at ?
If you are somewhat new to shooting or this rifle my suggestion would go to the range and try 30-50 yards and once you get dialed in and more comfortable move out to 100.
I always have used 1" high at 100 yards seems to work for me.

Ammo Suggestion ?
Depends on what you want to spend but I've seen Winchester deer season xp, Federal vitalshock be very effective on deer and hogs out to 100yards or so in 3030.

How accurate?
Accurate enough for hunting, It depends on the person and the setup probably 1-3" at 100 is about right.

My good hunting buddy is a die hard 336 fan and has hunted with his for years with no issues. I like them as they are built pretty stout and a good design vs the Winchester 94 design IMO, though I do prefer bolt guns.
Good Luck!


Last edited by Alan S.; 09/13/16 12:41 AM.
Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6449303 09/12/16 10:28 PM
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I haven't done a lot of experimenting with mine, but so far the best ammo I've found is 150 gr. Remington Core-Lokt. With that and a somewhat cheesy scope it shoots 2" at 100 yards. I would like to find a more accurate combination, but that may be the best I can hope for with a lever gun. With my eyes, open sights at 100 ain't happening.


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Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6450075 09/13/16 02:17 PM
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Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. I have a 336W that shoots MOA. I did install a Happy Trigger, polished the internals and loosened the barrel band. It also has a VX-3 1.75-6 mounted on it. Oh, and I had a Pachmayr grind-to-fit pad installed. I think everything but the polishing improved the accuracy to some extent, even the recoil pad. Less felt recoil, ergo, more accurate shooting.


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Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: booradley] #6450348 09/13/16 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted By: booradley
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. I have a 336W that shoots MOA. I did install a Happy Trigger, polished the internals and loosened the barrel band. It also has a VX-3 1.75-6 mounted on it. Oh, and I had a Pachmayr grind-to-fit pad installed. I think everything but the polishing improved the accuracy to some extent, even the recoil pad. Less felt recoil, ergo, more accurate shooting.


Yep, I did all of these things except I have a Nikon scope and a Limbsaver pad. All of these things helped. My 336 also shoots 170's much better than 150's or the Leverevolutions. I now shoot about 1.5 MOA with a cold barrel. The polishing really helped the feeding and smoothness. There are some very good videos on Youtube on how and what to polish.

A 336 is usually a project when you first get one. Once you get everything ironed out though, it's a pretty sweet shooting rifle.

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6450577 09/13/16 07:44 PM
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Thanks guys!

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6463083 09/22/16 09:17 AM
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Sight in at 25 yds and then 100. Scoping wise, Bushnell 1.5x4.5 scope is great.

Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: mason15] #6463205 09/22/16 12:56 PM
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Some shoot better than others.


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Re: Marlin 30-30 accuracy and range? [Re: redchevy] #6463644 09/22/16 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
Some shoot better than others.


That was deep.


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