[goodguy51]

I am a new member and need some advice. I just purchased a new 336 in 30 30 Cal. ,mounted a redfield 2-7x40 scope and have shot about 50 rounds through the gun. At 50 yards I cannot consistantly group under 3 inches. I am shooting Remington 150gr Core Locs, and 160 gr Leverevolutions. My co worker who is an avid shooter, reloader and excelant shot can't do any better, we have even shot some of his reloads with the same results. After every three shots I run an oiled patch,brush and patch through the barrel while allowing it to cool. While the gun is cooling I can take my Remington 700 , 30 06 and group 1 to 1.25 inches,using Remington 150gr Core Locs, leaving me to believe that I am not flinching or pulling the shots. This my first Marlin in 30 30 but I do have one in .357 that is one of my favorite guns. I have even taken a couple small hogs with it at close range. I would be more than thankful for any and all help that any one can give. One more thing, I am looking forward to being a member!!

 

[Brad4]

A couple of thoughts...1) Have you checked the security of the bases and rings for your scope? 2) do you have better accuracy experience with this 2x7 scope of other rifles? If yes, I suggest you "shoot the square" to insure that the scope internal adjustments are still consistent. Shoot a round...click your windage 8 clicks right & fire another round, click elevation 8 clicks down & fire one round, click windage 8 click left & fire a round...click elevation 8 clicks up and fire a round. The 5th round should print on or close to the first round if all adjustments are in synch. 3) final thought...you might try some alternative brands of 150 grain bullets...some rifle simply have a brand preference for one commercial loading over another.

Brad

 

[mac266]

I'm thinking a scope / base / rings problem might be the first place to start. I haven't seen a lot of good results from Redfield. After trying what Brad suggested, how about removing the scope altogether and testing your group size with open sights? If it groups better with open sights you KNOW the problem was in the scope.

 

[StretchNM]

I agree with the open sights testing. Before I ever put a scope on my .35 Remington, I fired more than 60 reloads through it making sure it was grouping fine and developing loads for it.

Before I would suspect the scope, I would suspect the base, rings, and scope mounting. Also make sure the rings are aligned properly and to lap the rings (you probably did). You want to make sure you're not "torqueing" the scope as you tighten it down.

 

[goodguy51]

Thank you all very much! I will drift my rear sight back on and let some one with younger eyes shoot a few sets of three. I to am not real happy with the redfield scope, it is very finicky about eye relief. When I first bought the rifle, I removed the stock and put several coats of lindseed oil on the inside. This is something that I do with all of my wood stocks. I tightened all fasteners to what they felt like coming off. Is there any way that I could have detuned the barrel by having the two barrel bands to loose or to tight?

 

[Brad4]

I have never demounted a stock on my Marlin but I do know that accuracy can be negatively affected with Bolt action rifles if the guard screws are over torqued. I was told that the rule of thumb assuming one does not have a for real torque wrench is to tighten screws snuggly but NOT to crank them down. You might try backing off on the barrel band screws and test it out....let us know if this proves to be significant.

Brad

 

[pisgah]

It may well be that at least part of the inconsistency comes from your cleaning the barrel every three shots. Almost every rifle will shoot more consistent groups from a fouled bore. Typically with most of my rifles it takes two or three shots after a cleaning to get the bore to a state where flyers go away and nice, round groups begin to appear. Before deer season, I will fire a couple of groups from my rifles to verify zero, then leave the bore alone for the rest of the season. Typically, the first group will be bigger than I know the rifle can produce, and the second tightens right up.

 

[Davers]

What you could do, goodguy51, is forgo the scope asnd rear sight and mount a receiver peep sight on your Marlin. The .30-30 is a medium range rifle anyway, so you might want to keep your shots < 100 yards.

 

[bsn]

Sounds like a scope problem, but I agree quit cleaning and oiling the barrel every 3 shots.

 

[goodguy51]

Thanks again, I have alot to think about.