Marlin 336CS

[Bzcraig]

Did a friend a favor and got a Marlin 336 in return, wasn't expecting that. Always wanted a levergun but never got around to getting one. Did a serial# search and found it was built in 1988 and it is about 90-95%. I have not yet reloaded or casted for rifle so I have some questions for ya'll. What is your recommendation for my first mold? If say a 150gr mold is a good weight for paper, targets and short range whitetai,l then I'll probably get a good NOE or Mihec. If however maybe a good plinking/50m target round is a mousefart load, then I'll get a Lee and a good one for hunting. I'm not opposed to saving money on powder and lead when plinking. I know checks are needed at higher fps but any other guidelines? ANY input would be appreciated.

Craig

[Scharfschuetze]

BZCraig,

You have a very generous friend and for once a good deed gets rewarded!

May we assume that the 336 is a 30/30 with Microgroove rifling?

[NickSS]

I use primarily two bullets in my 30-30s. Lyman 311041 and 31108. The first is a clasic 30-30 173 gr flat point that has proved to be very accurate is all my rifles when loaded between 1100 and 2000 fps. For small game and plinking I use the 31108 115 gr 32-20 bullet usually with light loads of either Red Dot or Unique. I get good accuracy with loads in the 1000 to 1300 fps range and they work great on varmints and small game at up to 100 yards. I size all my boolets to 312 as this works best in the Marlins with MG barrels and also works fine in my 94 Winchesters.

[Bzcraig]

It is a 30/30 with microgrooves. As soon as I actually pick it up I will post pics. Thanks for the info Nick.

[Maximumbob54]

I'm not sure if you can find a better mold for the .30-30 that the 165gr or 170gr Ranch Dog molds. Keep an eye out for a group buy on one. In the mean time the Lee 150gr mold is decent but a bit boring. It has a kind of jack of all trades and master of none kind of feeling to it but it works. The Lee 170gr is just a longer heavier version of the same thing. Really any mold with a flat point will work for you.

[GabbyM]

For a Marlin the Ranch Dog bullets are hard to beat. For a hunting bullets I bought this NOE 165 grain RD copy.
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=308

[Bzcraig]

I have some NOE pistol molds I really like, so I will probably buy another for a hunting boolit. Are you guys sizing to .311 or as cast if .309 or larger?