Range report with 30-30 and H322

[336A]

Since the weather was so nice yesterday I hit the range to try my hand loads with H322. I had 3 rounds each containing 30gr to 31.5gr going up in half grain increments. The 31.5 gr charge is one that Brian Pearce always comments on, but it is .5gr over the suggested max charge weight listed in the Speer #14 manual. Here are the particulars.

Brass: Winchester
Primer: Win large Rifle (WLR)
Bullet: Sierra 150gr
Rifle: 2002 Marlin 336A
Scope: Bushnell 2-7x32 Elite 3200 series.
Range 100yd

All shooting was done with a front and rear rest. Groups were 3 shots and the furthest 2 shots were measured center to center. The only 2 worth measuring were the 30gr charge which shot 1.75" and 31gr at 2.015". For a control I used Fed Fusion 150gr and 150gr Win Power Point. The Fusion shot a awesome .880" while the Win posted a .936" group. This further confirms that my rifle prefers factory ammo to my handloads. The 30gr charge of H322 is by far the most accurate hand load and powder that I've tried to date. However I'm unsure if I should even bother reloading for this rifle now since the factory ammo shoots so much better ???

I've got a couple more rounds made up with the same charge of H322 but topped off with Hornady and Speer bullets instead. So the jury is still out until I can get back and try those loads out. At the same time I keep trying to rationalize with myself that I bought this rifle for 200yd shots and under. So even though 1.75" groups ain't great it is more than enough accuracy to put a round into the pump house of a deer even at 200yd. I figure that if I need more range and thump on the target there is always the Hornady LeverEvolution which my rifle shoots well. Until the powder that Hornady is using becomes available I know that there is no way of me matching that load.

I guess getting really good groups with the 150gr Fusion, 150gr Winchester PP, and Hornady LeverEvolution ammo has really spoiled me and got me to seeing the forest before the trees.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Where is the old college try, brother?

Well, 336A, don't give up so easy!

Why did you choose H335? Not that it is a bad choice. While I have never used it, and I don't load for the 30/30, it just seems like you have given up way too easily, friend!

Since these are low volume rounds, meaning you aren't needing a "gazillion" to shoot every week, I'd like to suggest trying 2 different powders.

The first being Varget. That stuff turns by AR into a sub MOA sniper rifle with 69gr bullets. The next would be BL-C(2). I use that in the AR too only for lighter bullets. Still, with 55gr HPBT projectiles, I get MOA + a little. Either one is much better than what I get with factory ammo.

Do you have a chronograph? Just wondering what the difference in velocity is between the factory stuff and your reloads.

At any rate, good report. Sorry things aren't working out to well for you at this point. Hope they change for you.

Oh, one more question. What were the bullet weights of the FTX bullets? Did you know that they are available to handloaders now?

Just wondered.

 

[336A]

Hi Smith Crazy. The reason that I chose H322 is due to the fact that Sierra either lists it as the powder to use for a accuracy load or hunting load. I've tried RL15, and W748 and I was rewarded with enormous groups, along the lines of 4"-5". By contrast this load is way better than any other using those two powders. I've read numerous articles where H322 was used in the 30-30 and it always gave better accuracy across the board than most other powders, which is another reason for selecting it. The next powder on my list to try is the ol' standby IMR 3031. But I want to see who around here that loads for the 30-30 uses it and see if they don't mind giving me a sample to try. That way I won't waste money buying it only to find it don't work so well. One other powder that I've given a lot of consideration to is the new IMR 8208, but it's not out yet.

I don't have a chronograph however another fella used this same powder and charge weight with a Rem 150gr Core Lokt. He was rewarded with .7" groups at 100yd from his 336A, velocities were right at 2200fps with very very small ES.

The Hornady ammo that I used is the factory 160gr, yup I'm aware that they're available too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Speer bullet shoots really well in my rifle as it is a great bullet. Anyway I think I found the right powder now it is just a matter of finding the "sweet spot" which I hope is nothing more than bullet selection.