Marlin 336 and the NOE SC311-165

[jhammer]

Yesterday I loaded ten rounds of 30-30 with this bullet sized 0.311" and weighing 162 grains with lube and gas check. Unfortunately I didn't check COAL and just seated them to the crimp groove. Upon measuring I realized they are 1.432". I used 33 grains of BL-C(2) (minimum load for a 150 grain jacketed one grain up from the minimum for 170 grain at 2.54"). When I chamber them they lightly engage the rifling. I am concerned that the pressure might be a bit high. Does anyone have any advice about whether or not they good to shoot, or should I pull them and reduce the charge?

[Wayne Smith]

You are at the minimum of the listed loads. How much room is there between the minimum and the maximum? Without knowing that I would guess you are safe. The fact that the bullet lightly engraves does not appreciably raise pressure, and the lead boolit creates less pressure than the condom bullet. As long as your alloy is up to it go ahead and shoot them unless there is only 5 or so grains of powder between max and min - and that is unlikely.

[Scharfschuetze]

With the boolits slightly touching the rifling, you may enjoy more uniform ballistics (Es & Sd) and achieve better accuracy. Time and testing will tell you if that is so, but I will, when possible, work my loads up with the boolits slightly into the rifling.

[jhammer]

I should have said that 33 grains is the starting​ load for a 150 grain jacketed bullet according to the Lyman 49th edition, 36.4 is the maximum at 36,000 c.u.p. 35.8 grains is the maximum for a 170 grain jacketed bullet at 38,000 c.u.p. and the OAL is 2.540". My main concern is that the loads I assembled are 0.108" below the OAL listed in my manual.

[jhammer]

Now I see that Ranch Dog lists a max load for his bullet (of which mine is a clone) several grains higher than what I loaded with a similar OAL. I am feeling much better about firing these now. Thank-you everyone for responding. I would love to hear about anyone's experience with these bullets in the 30-30.

[Shuz]

If you want a nice plinking load with that boolit and a Marlin 336, try 7g of Unique. Velocity is 1163fps and shoots groups of less than 1 inch at 50 meters outta my rifle.