Successful range session with 30-30 AI today

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, I finally got to the range to test some loads for the Marlin 336 that I rechambered to Ackly Improved (40 degree shoulder). The first time to the range I took some loads that had proved "best" in my Winchester 94 that I rechambered but they proved too hot for the Marlin - I figure its the rifling - the Marlin's micro groove boost the pressures a bit...

Well, the favorite loads that I tried were 38 grains of W748 for the Speer 150 and 37 grains of the same for the 170 grian Speer. The 150's printed into 1.5" and 2" at 100 yards and the 170's gave 2" with two holes touching twice.

It was very windy and this made it rather challenging to keep the cross hairs on the center of the target - the wind was so bad that it was pushing me around, and the target was also rocking back and forth. So I consider the above to be excellent.

Well worth the effort.

I also replaced the buttstock as I took too much off of the wrist area when I sanded the stock that was on it - this replacement is much better. I'll post a pic of it when I get a chance. And sorry for no target pics - I was taping and using the targets over and over. I had three .22 rifles that I wanted to zero and check with some ammo that I have that I intend to squirrel hunt with should that trip develop...

[TedH]

Sounds pretty darn good for your range conditions. I guess you didn't chrono the AI loads?

Have you tried RL15 with the Speer 150? That is a great combo in my 30-30AI.

[Andrew]

Yep, that sounds like a good deal to me. I am awaiting the pics and another range report with more favorable conditions.

[O.S.O.K.]

Sounds pretty darn good for your range conditions. I guess you didn't chrono the AI loads?

Have you tried RL15 with the Speer 150? That is a great combo in my 30-30AI.

No I didn't -for two reasons. One, the wind would have blown the chrono over. and Two I broke my full sized tripod that I use for the chrono and need to get a new one....

But, based on the testing I did with my winchester 94, I'm betting I'm right around 2500 fps with the 38 grain load. When testing the win, the gain was very little with each grain over 38 - like maybe 25 fps which seems not much to me...

I'll chrono it again and post....

And I have a lot of W748 and like it. If for no other reason than it meters so nice and speeds up the loading.

[1886]

I would be very interested in the velocities you received. Thanks, 1886.

[Ysabel Kid]

Did you take some "before and after" photos?

I know I'm not the only one who loves to see these works progress over time...

[O.S.O.K.]

Did you take some "before and after" photos?

I know I'm not the only one who loves to see these works progress over time...

No, actually - sorry. The before stock just looked like a worn Marlin stock with the old yellowed white line spacers.

I'll shoot a couple of it with its new buttstock - looks pretty much the same just fits better at the wrist and I didn't install the grip cap - just left it plain. Nice piece of walnut though. Got it from brownells.

Gunsnet, where I post my pics is experiencing some server changing around - so, I'll have to wait to post those pics...

[Modoc ED]

Since you have both a Winchester Model 94 and a Marlin 336, I assume you full length resize your .30-30 AI brass. You said you hand reamed the Winchester to .30-30 AI. Maybe I missed it but did you hand ream the Marlin to .30-30 AI too or have someone do it for you.

Of course you must realize that your post is incomplete with no pictures.

Good report. Thanks for posting.

[O.S.O.K.]

OK, found another board that I haunt that has picture hosting so here's a pic of the rifle with its new butt:



I reamed the chambers of both rifles myself. The load for the Winchester is 40 grains of W748 under a 150 grain Speer FN for 2580 fps avg. and the Marlin seems to like 38 grains of the same with the same bullet at unknown velocity - need to chrono those (so far - going to try 38.5 next) so they both get their own individual loads.

I do need to start full length sizing though - neck sizing makes for a little too tight fit in the chamber...

Sorry I don't have any target pics - I was taping and recycling the targets - the range was busy and I didn't want to diddle around taking pics while people were waiting.... I guess I'm just a little too consiserate sometimes.

ETA: - OK, I preview the post and the pic is there big as day - then I get the redx box when I look at it after posting...? I'll replace this with one from the other board if it doesn't show up - once the other board gets back on line....

ETA again - OK - this is weird - I right clicked and selected show picture and it appeared.... so if you can't see it - try that.

[O.S.O.K.]

There - fixed the pic! Gunsnet is back up and running!

And here's what it looked like before - with the refinished original buttstock:



You can kinda see on the wrist how the wood was a little shy of the metal.... picky picky, I know but I figured I'd have this rifle for a long time, so may as well fix it...

As you can see, the walnut on the replacement is a little nicer and I moved the sling swivel back down the stock - it was drilled into the bullseye on the original - guess a lot of people do that thinking its the spot for the swivel...

ETA - since I've got my photo board back now - here's a pic of the reamer that I used (with the WECSOG copper tube extender that I made and used on the Marline):