Marlin 336 and c309-180

[nitrohuck]

Hey all,

I know most people find their marlins to prefer boolits larger than .309", but this is what I currently have to work with and I am whipping up a test batch over ~9grs Unique...

My question has to do with OAL, what have you all found to work best?

[Lead Fred]

Just over the last lube ring, which may vary do to short 30-30 cases.
Max 2.55 is what I do mine to, but then I toss out all my short cases

Curd, forgot that microgroove silliness. I do the above in a ballard rifling Winnie

[popper]

To just NOT engraving, otherwise you get stuck round in chamber.

[RPRNY]

It's not just preference. Microgrooves are shallow and whether you are using soft or harder lead, unless you are getting that bullet bumped out to seat in those grooves really filling them out, you will get gas cutting and skidding,ie poor accuracy and leading. Size them down and paper patch out to .311 - .312. No need for harder than WW with the load you describe, seasoned. With correctly sized bullets, your 336 will be a treat.

[blikseme300]

My Marlin's don't know that MG rifles are not supposed to shoot worth a hoot with cast. [smilie=l: Yes, too small boolits don't work well in either Ballard or MG rifling as proper boolit fit is required. I use RD 165 & 170 GN .310 sized boolits in both my 30-30 and 308MX with success. Alloys used have ranged from straight COWW to 50/50 COWW/Lino with good results on paper and in the field. I have not done any PP as I have yet to run into a rifle that needs this.

To the OP, .309 might work, but nobody can predict the outcome until you try it. As to your question regarding OAL seat out until light engraving on the boolit.

[RickinTN]

The only difference in the 180 and 170 Lee fp is the flat point on the 170 and the loss of about 10 grains. The 180 is also .045" longer. In my 336's the 180 when seated to the crimp groove is too long to eject if the round is not fired. I have to override the extractor in this instance. If I remember correctly the maximum length to function properly in a 336 is 2.550". The 180 gr bullet seated to the crimp groove will result in an overall length of about 2.629". In my Marlin 336's (I have several spanning 32 years of production) this bullet fits the leade pretty well when seated at the crimp groove.
Good luck,
Rick

[popper]

In my 336's the 180 when seated to the crimp groove is too long to eject if the round is not fired. I have to override the extractor in this instance.
A real PITA if in the field or getting ready for a cease fire. Even the marlin version of the RD needs to be seated deeper in my 336. I FCD and don't worry about it.