Henry Rifle Forums

Three different 35 Rem. rifles, a 60ish JC Higgins made by Marlin for Sears, with a 20" barrel. A Marlin 336 RC from '74, that I had chopped to 16.5, and the Savage model 170 from around '80-'81 with the 22" barrel.
Side note, never shot cast through the Savage.

The load is a 200gr cast RFN GC'd, over 34.0 grs. of IMR 3031.
Distance was 55 yds.
RP

The Higgins and Marlin seem to be top dog!

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Sun May 01, 2022 8:34 pm

The Higgins and Marlin seem to be top dog!

I have used this load in those two for a while now, and took a decent buck with it and the shorty a couple years ago.
The Higgins is just a Sears brand rifle made by Marlin.
So no real surprise there, but had no clue on the Savage.
I figured it to be low, as I was last using the Hornady LVR ammo in it.
Been some time since I shot the Savage and forgot how long the trigger pull was.
That could be some of it.

RP

I think you were worn out when you shot the Savage

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sun May 01, 2022 9:07 pm

I think you were worn out when you shot the Savage

Well they do have a little more ump, than the 38-55.
Hey, Al I'm not the great shooter than some here are....jus' so ya know.

RP

Naw, you shoot just fine Randy. I'm thinking the wind kicked in a bit when you were shooting the Savage. Sound about right?

Randy if I were you I'd drag that Savage out by itself for a few more rounds. I'd want to know if it was me or the load or the rifle causing that group to open up. I've got to get a handle on it.

Paul

Headhog wrote: ↑

Mon May 02, 2022 6:24 pm

Randy if I were you I'd drag that Savage out by itself for a few more rounds. I'd want to know if it was me or the load or the rifle causing that group to open up. I've got to get a handle on it.

Paul

Now that's as good a reason to go shooting again in my book. Must find out.

Headhog wrote: ↑

Mon May 02, 2022 6:24 pm

Randy if I were you I'd drag that Savage out by itself for a few more rounds. I'd want to know if it was me or the load or the rifle causing that group to open up. I've got to get a handle on it.

Paul

I will Paul, suppose to be a rainy week, so little work for me so I may can squeeze in a little shooting between showers.
May drag the ole lead sled out, I use it some when testing loads.
Kind of helps to eliminate a few factors, ya know.

RP

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Mon May 02, 2022 8:21 pm

Headhog wrote: ↑

Mon May 02, 2022 6:24 pm

Randy if I were you I'd drag that Savage out by itself for a few more rounds. I'd want to know if it was me or the load or the rifle causing that group to open up. I've got to get a handle on it.

Paul

I will Paul, suppose to be a rainy week, so little work for me so I may can squeeze in a little shooting between showers.
May drag the ole lead sled out, I use it some when testing loads.
Kind of helps to eliminate a few factors, ya know.

RP

Now that sounds like a good plan to burn up some more smokeless powder.

Paul

Headhog wrote: ↑

Mon May 02, 2022 9:42 pm

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Mon May 02, 2022 8:21 pm

Headhog wrote: ↑

Mon May 02, 2022 6:24 pm

Randy if I were you I'd drag that Savage out by itself for a few more rounds. I'd want to know if it was me or the load or the rifle causing that group to open up. I've got to get a handle on it.

Paul

I will Paul, suppose to be a rainy week, so little work for me so I may can squeeze in a little shooting between showers.
May drag the ole lead sled out, I use it some when testing loads.
Kind of helps to eliminate a few factors, ya know.

RP

Now that sounds like a good plan to burn up some more smokeless powder.

Paul

And....some of those cheap primers.

RP

Well when I got home this afternoon I loaded 3 more rounds and drug out the lead sled. Big difference, still can't believe I killed as many deer with that thing as I have.
I may tear it down and see what the trigger looks like. Anyway here ya go.
RP

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Wed May 04, 2022 9:43 pm

Well when I got home this afternoon I loaded 3 more rounds and drug out the lead sled. Big difference, still can't believe I killed as many deer with that thing as I have.
I may tear it down and see what the trigger looks like. Anyway here ya go.

20220504_190024.jpg

RP

Yeah, that accuracy looks to be barely adequate for taking deer.

I hope there are no deer viewing this thread. They just might have a coronary.

Paul

You two are funny.
Trust me the trigger is horrible, I guess back then I was shooting it enough to compensate.
When I have some time, I will definitely look at it and see if I can smooth it up a bit.
Thanks for the kind words.

RP