Lead bullet loads

johnler

I need a good load for a Marlin 336 in 30-30 for a 135 grain lead bullet with a BHN of 15. I can get smoke,leading, and patterns but groups elude me.

Hawk Carse

What is your unsatisfactory load?

Microgroove rifling is fine and shallow, but large diameter.
Cast bullets must fill the grooves.
And not go too fast. Do you need more than pistol velocity?

chiefr

Concur, he needs to list load.
I have seen far to many instances where people use cast bullets in a rifle and push them too fast. Even w/o gas checks.
His symptoms sounds like his load is to hot for casts.

Lymans cast bullet handbook is a great sourse.

MIKE WISKEY

wtih micro-grove rifleing slower powders and harder bullets (+ gas checks).

Riomouse911

Do you want plinking groups, mid-power, hunting?

Here are some culled from Castpics


Cal bullet mold weight powder start max
30-30 Win Lyman #311410 131gr Alliant Unique 10gr 12gr
30-30 Win Lyman #311410 131gr Alliant 2400 18gr 21gr
30-30 Win Lyman #311410 131gr IMR 4227 19gr 22gr
30-30 Win Lyman #311410 131gr IMR 4198 23gr 27gr
30-30 Win Lyman #311410 131gr IMR 3031 29gr 34gr

All averaged between 1900-2200 in test gun accroding to the site.

As always, reduce loads and work up in your firearm as it may differ from the test guns.

Some folks use Trail Boss, others loaded Unique lighter at 9.0 for plinking loads.

charliemeyer007

I'd be happier with Lyman 311041 a flat nose 173 grain bullet. If the lube on your bullets is red/blue that is part of your problem.

Mort4570

with an old marlin I used to have,it would not hit the berm..so to speak..until I SCRUBBED AND SCRUBBED all of the copper fouling,etc out of the bore.I mean this thing threw them into the next county until I did that.

bpost

That light bullet is not doing you any favors when looking for groups. Get a Lovern design (nose riding) 170 grain bullet with a gas check in 309 dia and you should get better results. Micro grove rifling is also a problem with cast bullets.