Marlin 336 with Lee cast loads (30-30)

[johnny_xring]

OK--sometimes whacky things go right. I had some Lee 155s that had been made (when?) and sized with gas checks on them just setting there. I wanted to try the 10B101 lot# 91A-009 (Jeff Bartlett powder) with them and after reading the 10B101 sticky:

FL sized mixed brass 30-30 but mostly WW, CCI200, SPG lubed, and started with 14.0gr and went up in 1/2 grain increments to 16.0gr. The Lees were sized to .312 and about 160 with gc and lube and since my 336 has a microgroove barrel, good to go.

Problem with reloading in the RCBS Cowboy dies is that the seater plug is only set up for a flat top boolit (specialty dies) and these were spitzer tipped--so I seated the .312s in very carefully and rotated three times to seat them to past the top lube groove. Looked good except for the tiny flattened tip from the seater plug (got to call RCBS). Did NOT check/confirm that these would seat when bolt closed (duh). Of course at the range, they were too long and were chambered by closing the bolt by pulling up hard on the lever (yeah, I know, not recommended) and they WERE in the lands real good. Chamber loaded ONLY.

Small 4X fixed scope on Marlin, shot @ 25 yard only range (will test @ 50 and 100 later) as it was only one available. 14.0 shot right to cross hair aim and looked really good with all 5 into a quarter coin sized group (3 clover leafed, 2 doubled). The others were OK but had a little stringing/dispersion and I was fighting fading light. The last five of 16.0 had 3 that were all in the same elongated hole 11o'clock from POA, 2 into the blackened dot for POA. NO pressure signs on any and these were NOT compressed loads.

I will cast a bunch more Lees and size and gas check/lube the same. Seating will be correct but just off lands when bolt is closed. I will give LOA and shoot these at 100yd here and check with picture posted. I can chrono them @ the 100 if I get there. Bottom line is 10B101 (lot #91A-009) seems to be awesome for 30-30 Winchester with Lee 155 2R.

I will post a shorter one in the surplus 10B101 sticky. If Mr. Bartlett ever gets any more of this stuff---get some.

[johnny_xring]

Attachment 107539Attachment 107541Attachment 107542

I think I finally got these pictures to post. Somewhere around 15.0 either side looks like it works good. I am going to have to make some more Lee 155 2Rs and also try a Lyman 311467 (177 gr) and check it out alongside.

JX

[Maximumbob54]

I didn't know you can single feed the 336. That alone is good to know.

[johnny_xring]

Maximumbob54,

You have to have the cartridge gate/ramp up (have the lever about straight down) and then feed it in. I haven't tried these from the tube yet but you could have one in the chamber and one (1) follow up in the mag tube. I'm still experimenting with these.

[Tatume]

Attachment 107539Attachment 107541Attachment 107542I think I finally got these pictures to post. Somewhere around 15.0 either side looks like it works good. I am going to have to make some more Lee 155 2Rs and also try a Lyman 311467 (177 gr) and check it out alongside.

Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator

Single loading the Marlin M336 is SOP. Load one, then fill the magazine. If you want to shoot spitzer bullets, load one in the chamber, one in the magazine. That's all you need to go hunting.

Take care, Tom

[Tatume]

See my post about photos here:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...post-a-picture

Take care, Tom

[johnny_xring]

Thanks for the info. Like the looks with that vernier LR sight on there.

Are the attachments opening up for viewing? They are from my end after I go back in there.


JX

Disregard---Got them loaded and life is good!

[Tatume]

The link produces an error message.

[johnny_xring]

[im g]http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/johnny_xring/library/?view=recent&page=1[/im g]

OK, I'll try this and see. Let me know if this doesn't view.

JX

[johnny_xring]

Sorry--this just isn't going to work.

JX

[johnny_xring]

Attachment 107599Attachment 107600Attachment 107601

How about now? Looks like the photos loaded.

Nope. Looks like attachments that will not open for view. Sorry. They are up for view in marlinowners.com under the thread: Marlin 336 with Lee Cast Loads

JX

[Tatume]

You have to delete the spaces between "m" and "g" in the line with your photo link, at both ends.

[im g]http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/johnny_xring/library/?view=recent&page=1[/im g]
^^^^

[johnny_xring]

Well, if you go to my #9 post and highlight the entire link including the brackets with the [im g] and [/im g] and then open it in a new tab--it goes to photobucket and they come up. I are IT challenged. Sorry. Can't get the photos to load in post #9!

DISREGARD----I think I can load these now.

JX

[44man]

Something is wrong, I can't even open my photobucket account.

[johnny_xring]

OK,

I found some more of the Lee 155 2Rs that I had squirreled away (.312, gas checked, same lube). I cast some more of these and also made up some Lyman 311467s. I don't think I can get these to .312 and I do not want to modify the mold yet--these things look like a really nice choice for the 30-30 but came out around .310 or so. I'll keep trying.

The "sweet spot" seems to be around 15.0 +/- gr of the 10B101--so I just loaded some more test batches @ 14.7, 15.0, and 15.3 gr with the Lee 155 2R. I know this is not a "match rifle" but it sure punches a tight cluster, at least @ 25 yards. I am going to try and get some on paper at 50 tomorrow (if possible) and maybe put some of the Lymans downrange too.

I am impressed with this powder but as stated in the 10B101 sticky and noted by others--it is the most difficult stuff to meter. I have been weighing each charge (I've got no life) to dial it in. This is the most BIZARRE powder to work with even on that note. The powder's geometry (huge square flakes) means that a little bit changes the weight quickly. This is like nothing I've ever worked with but it does work well so far. The plans are to get a load worked up and then use a stand alone dedicated RCBS Uniflow with the large drum calibrated for this charge load.

I want to chrono these loads when I can and for that I need to get some outdoor range time in. Pics and report pending.

JX

[3006mv]

looks good, how do they do farther out?

[johnny_xring]

Haven't been able to secure a 50 yard test because the line is usually busy and (I have to drive to my old club for further out--100+) I was going to get in the ballpark and THEN really test them. Here is today's report!

Again no luck on 50 yard (but will get there). I think the "sweet spot" is--15.0 grs of 10B101 with the Lee 155 2R. We (my partner was shooting other stuff too) had to work with fading light. The facility has lights but your targets get pretty dim even @ 25 yds. HOWEVER--popped two over the chronograph, two of the 15.0: 1955, and 1940! Wish I had enough for a 10 shot aggregate for stats but--I didn't think these were going that fast. I was guessing around 1600+ only.

So now that I can load the pictures--this is great. I can get 1350 ftlbs (muzzle) with this bullet and if I can get the correct seating plug--the nose will be cleaner and BC better. It has a slight flat spot from the one I have to work with. I know it is a cast bullet but I think this has good potential. Pictures-----



JX