I am looking for a light recoiling load for my wife. I just aquired a marlin 336 for her to hunt with this year. This will be the first year she will be deer hunting with a rifle. Any suggestions? I thought the 130 grain speer FP would be a good start. It is the lightest bullet I could find for medium game

I have loaded that bullet for a Winchester 94, using IMR 4198, Dominion cases and Winchester primers. I ended up with 29 grains and a group size of 1 1/2" at 50 yards with open sights. I have also used H335 in a single shot with good results. My wife uses a 125 gr Rem PSP in her bolt action 30-30, with very good results. You may also try the Hornady 150gr with 34.5 gr of H335, it is a very good load in the Winchester I load for. Always work up your load, what is safe in my rifle may not be in yours.

jd_1;

My Savage 99 with 26" med-heavy Douglas 1/10 air guaged barrel loves this bullet. It is equipped with target aperatures front and back.

32.5 grs WW748, CCI 250 primer and R-P brass a typical 5 shot group at 100 yds is about one inch , best group to date is .775.

32.5 grs. IMR 4064, CCI 200 primer, W-W brass produced slightly larger groups with best at 1.04, typical about 1.25.

No excessive pressures in my rifle, use normal safe procedures when working up loads for yours.

Don't expect large velocity gains over the 150 grain. You'll get another 100-150 FPS but the 30WCF case is not intended for hotrodding and is the weak link. Recoil is mild however and may be just what you are looking for. best.

I have been getting excellent results with a 130 Hornady, and 35-36 grains 3031. Sean

[ 09-15-2002, 04:36: Message edited by: LoneEagle ]