30-30 / 35 Rem and 45-70

[SJB358]

Well, I also brought out the lever guns in order to verify some loads and speeds I had worked up for them. I had to get a good zero on the rifles as well. I did a rough zero with the Williams 5D the last time out, but wanted to make sure I had a proper zero for hunting. First up was the M94 30-30. I am using the Sierra 170gr Pro Hunters in the rifle, WW brass, CCI BR2s and Leverevolution powder. Pretty great stuff. I went 2300 over the chrono with that bullet and had very acceptable accuracy. These were shot at 50 yards (except for the 45-70 and 300RUM target). I can't really do excellent group shooting much further out than that with irons and wanted to make sure the loads were good and I had a good zero.

This was 36gr's of LVR

I made a quick dope change and got it into center mass pretty quickly.

Next up was the 35 Rem. That was also using LVR powder, CCI BR2's, WW cases, but the 200gr Core Lokt RN's. Those also came out of the rifle at 2290-2300. Really pretty nice stuff and adds a nice kick in the pants to the old lever rounds.

Well, since those two went so fast, I decided to rezero the 45-70 with the 300gr BST's as loaded by Woodycreek. They went a little over 2300 out of my Marlin and were very accurate. Here is the final group of the day with that rifle.

Overall, it was fun to get the lever guns out and get them heated up some. Might goof around more with them later on, but they won't get seriously used for hunting (30-30 and 35 Rem). Mostly for when I am hunting with younger folks and sorta just backing them up. The 45-70, well, that will get some use! Scotty

 

[JD338]

Scotty,

Those lever guns are shooting very well, and with excellent velocity.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Thanks Jim. They are really hard to put down. Just some great shooting rifles. That 35 Rem is a true sleeper. Handy and alot of thump with those thumb looking 200's. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Scotty,

Those are some fine loads with the lever guns. I'm a little surprised that Brian wasn't able to shoot his 300 RUM beyond 50 yards, however. Reckon you and Bill have your work cut out getting him close to elk.

 

[SJB358]

Scotty,

Those are some fine loads with the lever guns. I'm a little surprised that Brian wasn't able to shoot his 300 RUM beyond 50 yards, however. Reckon you and Bill have your work cut out getting him close to elk.

Mike, I do have to give Brian credit for the 300RUM group. Both the RUM and the 45-70 were shot at 100 yards... Although, it might be a tie to which group is smaller huh! Those 45-70's can shoot. But then again, with only Remingtons as competition, the Marlin really shines! Scotty :shock:

 

[DrMike]

But then again, with only Remingtons as competition, the Marlin really shines!

Ziiiiiiiiing. Good one, Scotty.

 

[BK]

170 grain .30-30 @ 2300 fps is smokin'! That's what I normally expect to see 150s at!

 

[SJB358]

170 grain .30-30 @ 2300 fps is smokin'! That's what I normally expect to see 150s at!

The H-LVR powder does some pretty good stuff in a few cartridges Kurt. The Remington 200gr CLRN runs a hair over 2000 in my rifle. Brass life is great so far and the bullets are accurate. I think they will be good walking loads. Scotty

 

[bbearhntr]

Great to see those classic lever guns getting a little bit of range time. My 30-30 gets neglected way too often. Nice shooting!! I wish iron sights and I could get along that well :lol:

 

[Oldtrader3]

Scotty, you have some accurate Model 94's. My (1947 Model 94) .32 Special shoots about 1.5 inch groups with 36 grains of IMR 4064 (at 2200 fps) and 170 gr Speer Hot Core bullets which I still have 3 boxes of. Since I am nearly 70, far sighted and can hardly see the factory irons on it, is pretty good for me. I have had this rifle forever and am going to pass it on to my oldest son. He likes old levers of any kind, especially big bore Marlins or Winchesters. He almost snatched my first Marlin Guide Rifle .45-70 out of my hands when he saw it. He still has it.

The 1895 Marlins are just amazing, how well they shoot. I get about MOA groups with 350 gr Hornady's.

 

[onesonek]

Pretty darn good showing there Scotty!

 

[SJB358]

Those Marlins and even the Winchester M94 shoot very well. I really like my 1895. It is a tackdriver. The new trigger is really nice. I wanna reshoot some of my older loads and see if I can tighten them up some as well. Scotty

 

[lever101]

I crossed this post via google. And thought I'd let any 35 Rem owner know I've been working with LVR and settled on a load with 43 grains of LVR and the 220 Speer for 2,200 fps. Groups very consistently at 0.5" at 50 yards with iron sights in my 336. Although this is over published max, the pressure is low--as evidenced by the same case having been fired by a friend 42 times with no indication of thinning at the web when measured with an RCBS Casemaster.

I switched from 2520 to LVR to lower the pressure of the 2,200 fps velocity and achieve longer case life.

I shot a pound of LVR this summer working on loads from 2,000 to 2,200 fps with the 220 Speer. 2,200 seems to be the very top for his powder, for this cartridge, with the 220 Speer. And a very accurate sweet spot. The bullet tends to mirror the velocity and pressure of the 200 FTX as the bullets are nearly the same shape, same bearing surface, seating depth, etc. I opted for the 220 Speer over the FTX as I like its performance better on elk.

Why do I love this load? Big bullet, maximum velocity, excellent accuracy, and it still has the near-infinite case life of the relatively low-pressured 35 Rem.

Happy shooting!

 

[DrMike]

Lever101,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting your data. I'm certain it'll be helpful to those shooting the delightful old woods rifle.

 

[FOTIS]

Darn good stuff man.

 

[FOTIS]

I crossed this post via google. And thought I'd let any 35 Rem owner know I've been working with LVR and settled on a load with 43 grains of LVR and the 220 Speer for 2,200 fps. Groups very consistently at 0.5" at 50 yards with iron sights in my 336. Although this is over published max, the pressure is low--as evidenced by the same case having been fired by a friend 42 times with no indication of thinning at the web when measured with an RCBS Casemaster.

I switched from 2520 to LVR to lower the pressure of the 2,200 fps velocity and achieve longer case life.

I shot a pound of LVR this summer working on loads from 2,000 to 2,200 fps with the 220 Speer. 2,200 seems to be the very top for his powder, for this cartridge, with the 220 Speer. And a very accurate sweet spot. The bullet tends to mirror the velocity and pressure of the 200 FTX as the bullets are nearly the same shape, same bearing surface, seating depth, etc. I opted for the 220 Speer over the FTX as I like its performance better on elk.

Why do I love this load? Big bullet, maximum velocity, excellent accuracy, and it still has the near-infinite case life of the relatively low-pressured 35 Rem.

Happy shooting!

Welcome to the forum. Where do you hunt?

 

[lever101]

I'm in the Colorado Rockies. Elk and deer and small game. Antelope on the plains. I use the same 220 load for elk and deer.

Thanks for the welcome, all.

 

[Mountain Goat]

I sure wish the traditional lever guns felt good to me, and that I could shoot iron sights worth a darn. I am at home with my Savage 99 in 300 Savage, my first rifle, but that's where it ends for me, unfortunately. Again, welcome to the forum and nice shooting!

 

[BK]

as evidenced by the same case having been fired by a friend 42 times with no indication of thinning at the web when measured with an RCBS Casemaster.

Holy cow!

 

[lever101]

as evidenced by the same case having been fired by a friend 42 times with no indication of thinning at the web when measured with an RCBS Casemaster.

Holy cow!

Exactly.