1946 Marlin 336 owner / New 1894 45-70?

R

RickE

New member
My father handed down an amazing Marlin 336 (.30/.30) to me before he passed away on my 16th birthday. It is so much nicer (action/blue/walnut) than what I see today. I have a beautiful Winchester Model 70 feather weight (Stainless) in 300 Win Mag (Leopold 3x9 VX2 to match). I love the 336, but hunt Elk. Is the new Hornady (.30/.30) Lever Revolution ammo sufficient for knockdown power (Elk) up to 200 yards, or should I spring for the 45-70 with the same ammo? My 300 mag is really nice, but I am partial to the lever action. I am aware of the range and knockdown power of the 300 mag.
 
Sorry I'm not much help but if all else fails, maybe contact Hornady, I think they could help you out.

I am right with you though I just aquired a 336BL and love it. For some reason the Leverevolution doesn't seem to be very accurate in mine. Everything else is shoots good. The Marlin 308MX is in my sights next.
 
I might be the only one on this forum so far that actually has shot an elk at 200 yards with a 30-30. While I wasnt using the new Hornaday ammunition, I realise now my elk was too far for the caliber and bullet used. I have been around over 100 elk taken with various calibers and yes the 30-30 is up to the task IF proper bullets are used and proper shot placement is made and IF the range is close. I actually finished off a wounded buffalo bull with my 30-30, a much larger animal but I was at near muzzle range. I have mixed feelings about the new Hornaday bullet. I absolutely detest boattail bullets on big game but with the limited velocity of the 30-30 I dont feel the boattail would be much of a disavantage either. Just dont know. I hope some knowledgeable hunters and observers would report in on their use on game so we have some better first hand experences to judge by.
 
Thank you for the input. I now have questions about the Hornady ammo. How does the boattail bullet effect a round? I did not know Buffalo Bore had a .30/30 load. I have used their .40 S&W and .44 Mag ammo and like it.
 
I study bullet design and have well over 100 bullets actually removed from downed animals. MOST boattail bullets are normal "cup and core" design. Meaning they simply squeeze a lead pellet into a copper jaclet. The amount of surface area that the lead and jacket share helps hold the two togeather. Boatail bullets have less ability to hold the core and jacket togeather. Since boatail bullets main adavantage is after the bullet velocity drops off at extended range, usually far beyond normal hunting ranges. They are simply a sales gimmick. Some of the newer bullets are "bonded" meaning basicly they are soldiered togeather. I have some of the Buffalo Bore ammo in 190 grain. While they are meant to be used on larger game at close range. I seriously doubt they would preform well beyound @125 yards. However this is just an educated guess as I have never shot any animal with one.
 
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