Zeroing The 30-30!

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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years, I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, become an integral part of our ecosystem, and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see and survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish, or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
Produced by: @red11media

[@rgalletta58]

Thanks Ron. This was fun. I'm enjoying your 30-30 presentations 🤠👍

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Good to hear, sir.

[@paulsoutbackgardenaustrali7674]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors thnx Ron...I have a model94...I have shot hogs out to 150mt here downunder...also a great scrub gun..love ur channel..😎😃🇦🇺

[@kesleycottrell1416]

I like dead on at 50 yards for the 30-30. I only hunt the swamp where the shots are really short. 50 yards is actually a long shot. 2 years ago l shot a doe at 15 feet.

[@johnnorman7708]

50 yards is rabbit hunting. I've seen similar circumstances but not in a swamp. Head shot zero at 50 yards is appropriate.

[@stringbean585]

My eyes aren't getting any younger, and I hunt in the forested northeast, so I figure I won't have many opportunities at deer over 150 yards. I plan on zeroing my new Henry 30-30 at 135 yards (also will be zero at 40 yds). That will let me be no more than one inch over or under anywhere from 15 to 155 yards. Good enough for me!

[@BerserkeR_031]

Contact lenses with a good scope?

[@coreymerrill3257]

Saranac lake area of newyork maybe? Pretty sure I've seen you or your twin in the outfitters up there .

[@stringbean585]

@@coreymerrill3257 Nope, Finger Lakes area of western NY, although we have a camp not to far from Saranac Lake.

[@stringbean585]

@@BerserkeR_031 I did put a scope on my Henry, although I don't like the aesthetics of it.

[@Brandenuzis]

I’m in ny also (Oneida county) and I’ll never re zero my model 94. It was my dads and I took my first deer with it and later on he gave it to me and I’ll never put a new scope on it either. My muscle memory at where to hold if it’s past a 75 yard shot is dead on. I wouldn’t sight in a 30-30 at 100 yards. At 75 yards it’s way easier to memorize how high or how low you have to aim. I’m only 23 so my eyes aren’t that bad yet but when I give it to my daughter in 15 years I hope she knows better not to get a new scope on it and always keep it zeroed at 75 yards.

[@Aaron-mn8gw]

Love the old .30-30 Win! I'm dusting off the model 94 for moose season this year and using federal fusion 170gr factory loads.

[@laughingdog6010]

Thanks, I have a M99 in 300 Savage that I’m very fond of.

[@JBASH2011]

I'm with ya Ron, a scoped 94/336 always looks "wrong" and messes with the feel. But my eyes are old and shot, so practicality wins out there. Oddly enough though, I've no issue with the aesthetics of a Savage 99 with a scope. Beauty is in the (half blind, in my case) eyes of the beholder.

[@charlesmullins3238]

Buddie wanted to use my 336 one yr with a scope and I never could get used to that look…I think the 99 is a cool rifle unique for sure

[@swdw973]

Most people go with scopes that are too big and screw with the balance. Smaller objective scopes look better and maintain the balance. Since my 338 ME may have to reach out to 350 yds here in Colorado, I have a Leupold 2.5x8 36 mm scope on it. Another friend has a Burris Timberline 3x9 32mm on his. Balance is great on both rifles.

[@jayce_outdoors]

I used to agree with not putting a scope on a lever action, but where I hunt in Michigan it's very wooded with my longest shot being roughly 120yds. Putting a compact scope on a lever action has made hunting easier in low light situations when there's still legal shooting time, but the trees have blocked off a lot of light. It's a night and day difference. Literally

[@johnnorman7708]

.30-30 is very special. They do benefit from a calculated thought process to maximize their hunting potential. But most .30-30 rifles never get tuned to the potential of the cartridge.

[@swdw973]

One comment on the 30-30 and any traditional lever gun. There's a book called "Accurizing the Factory Rifle". It has a section on accurizing guns with 2 piece stocks. 90% of the modifications can be done with normal tools. The last 10% needs gunsmithing tools and knowledge. However, those steps often aren't necessary. I took my 338 Marlin express from 1.5 MOA to 0.75 MOA with a FIVE shot group. I've used it on two friends Marlin 30-30's. Took one from shooting 8 inch groups to 1.5 inch groups. Took another to shooting 1 inch groups. Had one friend whose 30-30 shot bigger groups with LeverEvolution ammo than regular 150 gr ammo. When he applied the methods in the book, not only were his groups tighter on traditional ammo, but accuracy with the Hornady ammo improved to being as good, if not better than the regular ammo. Lot's of reasons why some lever guns have problems with the LE ammo. Going into an explanation of all the interactive harmonics would take an in depth blog, not a youtube comment. Point is, the info in this book, plus some additional tips I got from a Marlin gunsmith about 10 years ago can result in a very accurate lever gun. You can make the Marlin Express series as accurate as a bolt action with the books methods.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks for this info and encouragement, Sam.

[@bartee7744]

I have run 168 Sierra OTM in my .30-30. Since I'm running the Savage 99 I find this best of both worlds.

[@BuckeyeBallistics]

That's a nice looking 30-30, didn't know Mossberg made those. I took a JC Higgens Sears Roebuck (Marlin) 30-30 out to 400 yards on my channel accurately...

[@matthewgroff433]

My late father used to have a J.C. HIGGINS Sears and Roebucks Model of the Marlin 336 .30-30 Win. He had sold it so we could buy groceries the one year when things got tough. Boy, did he regret that. He had gotten 3 deer with that rifle!! I had even used it for deer hunting the one year when he couldn't go.

[@rogerarmendariz7633]

I sighted my 30 30 at 150 yrds, 17 yrs ago and never moved it since then.

[@mdd1963]

To be zero'd at 150 yards, does that mean it was actually zero'd at 25 yards, 3.5" high at 100, and dead on at 150?

[@kurtw176]

Well said. Thank you sir

[@toddk1377]

From my experience, most of my 30-30's have been very accurate. Not always with the same ammo, but generally speaking, 170 grain is typically what worked better in my rifles. I was getting around 2.5-3moa with PPU 170 grain sp from my Sears model 54. Then I tried some Hornady lever evolution ammo, 160 grain I believe, gave me multiple groups around 1-1.7 moa @100 yards. A lot better imo. Using irons, I got it zeroed about 1-2" high at 100 yards. The Hornady rounds have quickly became one of my favorite 30-30 loads.

[@usafret4709]

I have a Marlin 336c. After watching your video, I need to practice more. Have also found it absolutely hates 150 grain Hornady Whitetail Hunter but loves 170 grain Federal Power Shoks. My groups were more along 2 MOA with the Federal. It was Minute of Basketball with the Hornady. Haha.

[@stevenhall1097]

I like my Mossberg 30 - 30 lever rifle.

[@montyherren26]

I always sight my 30-30 dead on at 100 yards and the one time I had to shoot a deer at 200 I just aimed at the spine and got a good double lung shot.

[@ndnutt]

Thank you Ron! Very helpful video, love my 30-30!

[@thompsonjerry3412]

Skinner makes a great peep sight.

[@jacob-tl3is]

Works great on my 464

[@joelowery6919]

Great video Ron, thanks.

[@adirondacktrekking1972]

This was really enlightening,I’ve pondered this for years ,zeroing I’m at 160 just seems logical,and my old model 94 needs a scope these days for southern zone (NY) thank you 🙏

[@peterweikel7123]

I do enjoy looking st the ballistics charts. It really gives some perspective on just what a cartridge is capable of

[@CraigDaniel1965]

Thank you for this, Ron

[@wildchild4163]

I put the sight like on the ruger 10-22 on my pre 94 Winchester 30-30 40 years a go . Buck horns blocked my sight to much. I like the flat plane it gives me.

[@acadian101]

the leverevolution ammo, will really increase the ballistics on the 3030 and make it a easy 200 to 300 yards gun,,,

[@billspindler4937]

Great advice. Sighting in mine this weekend

[@mikewheeler1939]

Really appreciate this video. Currently I’m zeroing a .30-30 my uncle handed down to me a while ago… I honing in on the the 160yd zero.

[@bustabass9025]

One of the few centerfire cartridges and rifles I have never shot, owned, nor had much interest in, since my other .30 caliber and Marlin 336 .35 Rem lever action rifles more than met my expectations and needs.

[@mattpeacock5208]

.35 rem is probably the most rifle 99% of us REALLY need in North America! Get a. .30-30 when you feel some need to supply yourself with a new cartidge and you just want a new rifle for shits and grins.

[@razieldrakis]

I've always used 170 grain .30-30 loads in my Winchester 94. Either from Winchester or Federal. Back when they're still making them I used Winchester Super-X 170 grain Silvertips. It was my most accurate loading for my rifle. But no more. Now I use just regular softpoints, still in 170 grains. I would love to get my hands on a couple boxes of Federal Premium Brand 170 grain Nosler Partitions in 30-30.

[@pensnut08]

I loved the 150 Silver Tips! When I dropped down to 150s, the deer started to drop on the spot or a 20 yard run.. My ex's son shot a big 8 that made it 30 yards LOL.. I did get some Federal Flat Nose 150s to try this year.

[@johnnorman7708]

I too feel slighted that the legendary Silvertip bullet disappeared. It and .30-30 were synonymous. It quietly disappeared before I and a few million people realized it was vanishing from the scene. Winchester kinda goofed. If they ever got their act together and ran some batches off again in special edition boxes, they would not be sorry from a sales standpoint. Everybody and their dog would be in line for original Silvertip ammo in .30-30.

[@johnnorman7708]

@@pensnut08 You are likely going to find that the Federal flat point 150s give optimum stopping power on deer. Simple cup and core that opens up easily. And Federal is usually up to where they should be on velocity too.

[@razieldrakis]

@@johnnorman7708 you got that right, I know that I sure would be in that line for some 170 gr super x silvertips.

[@johnnorman7708]

If you can find a box of those 170 Grain Nosler Partition bullets, you can reload a real decent bigger game than deer .30-30 load. Funny thing though, is that 170 grain simple cup and core plain Jane bullets in .30-30 are almost fail proof bullets. You run out of velocity long before you run out of bullet. They usually have some shank left. It's pretty hard to expand one all the way to it's base except on real short range shots, and maybe hitting bone at that.

[@Jeff_Seely]

Ron, my wife, 5 daughters and I love your videos and your style. Keep on keepin on! Someday, maybe we will meet you😁

[@jdmbraceyourself695]

Great video and I love my 3030

[@Quentin217]

One morning last May, I awoke from a good night's sleep with a severe case of binocular double vision. That crisis let me to an eye doctor who diagnosed me as also having early age-related macular degeneration. Soon afterwards, I saw a TV commercial about a vitamin supplement trademarked 'PreserVision." I decided to try it out strictly with a view to preserve mine eyesight from macular degeneration. Now my double vision problem has healed itself, but I find that my vision in general, especially short-range which was the worst, is greatly improved. For example I am typing this quite easily in fine print without spectacles just like I would have a decade ago. I would not have thought of that before taking the PreserVision. I most higly recommend it to Ron Spooner and to anyone whose eyesight is declining. I am thinking too that it may be a good thing for preventing decline before it happens. No, I do not own stock in PreserVision.

[@bcallahan3806]

Great information. Way we always choose calibers, bullets. And use to sight in. Especially if you can't shoot your total max distance when sighting in. Always great if you can. But 200 or 300+ yrd spots aren't always easy to come by in for a lot of people in some areas. But the ballistic charts are an invaluable source in choosing calibers ,bullets and sighting in. Match to terrain and game. Like you that 160 yrs 0 on the 30-30 is an all around best 0. Your in the zone up close to out to about the maximum of its capabilities. Great Video!👍👍

[@clyderichardson6475]

My Marlin shoots the 170s more accurately. I would love to see a chart for 170 like you did for the 150 and 140.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

The .30-30 is stellar with cast bullets. 29.7 grains of Varget behind an RCBS 30-180 FP. when sighted 2 inches high at 125 yards will drop about 6 inches low at 200 and 20 inches low at 275. It still retains enough energy at that range to put the hurt on just about anything on the North American continent.

[@joelowery6919]

I really like the RCBS 30-180FN in 3 of my .30-30s and a .303 Savage. I run them with H-414 in the neighborhood of 2000 fps. I believe it will take anything in the lower 48.

[@user-vf3gf4xq3v]

What kind of groups at 100 will that cast bullet load shoot for you?

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

@@user-vf3gf4xq3v 1.25 to 1.5 inches, center to center. I'm using a 70's vintage Model 94 with the barrel band free floated and the forearm bedded.

[@user-vf3gf4xq3v]

@@georgesakellaropoulos8162 Darn good groups for lead at 100.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

@@user-vf3gf4xq3v Yeah, I hit a node with this one. Was going to go to 30 grains of Varget, but when the groups shrunk from just under 2 inches to what it does now, I stopped. Chronos out to just under 2,000 fps. Final load is 29.7 grains.

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

I'm about to scope my Marlin 336SS this week, a beautiful fine handling stainless steel 30-30. At 50 yards, I'm shooting tight groups with 150g Core-Lokt, but if I want to reach out to a hundred yards and touch something in brush country, my eyesight needs (and my game deserves) that optical advantage.

[@robdavidson2569]

35/175 yard zero is what i use in canaad. great for deer,hogs, and black bear herebin northern saskatchewan forest

[@briansearles4473]

At first I thought you were shooting a Win model 94, couldn't figure out which version? Then noticed it's a Mossberg, looks like a nice rifle. My first centerfire rifle was a Model 94 30-30, one of the first Angle Ejects. Today I shoot a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem, but I wish I still had that old 30-30. Have a successful hunt.

[@WallyOutdoors]

Can you show us a ballistics video with the new factory loaded Hornady Leverevolution 160 grain rounds and the new Rossi R95 trapper with the 16.5 inch barrel? It's a pretty much perfect gun choice for the thick northern Newengland deer woods. Love the vids and channel. Thanks.

[@matthewgroff433]

I bought a Marlin 336CS and put a scope on it, but i have see-thru scope mounts on it, so I can still use the open sights. My later father had a JC HIGGINS Sears & Roebucks Marlin .30-30 win, which he had put a scope on with see-thru scope mounts. We both never felt the balance was off or that the scope threw the balance of the rifle off. We always sighted them in both open sights and the scope, usually to be on at between 50 to 100 yards. Why? Because that was the maximum distance we would most likely see deer in the woods where we would be hunting.

[@johnwurfel2862]

The Ballistic Chart changes based on height over bore of sight/optic. Iron sight zero is much different than a 2"-3" sight overbore.

[@jman2k0]

Cool review! I just got this same rifle in the grey marinecoat color after looking for it for 4 years😂. Looking forward to taking it to the range

[@davejones6006]

Always good info Ron

[@davejones6006]

Get bent

[@NELLY-jg2rx]

Ron, I need help picking out a rifle sling for Midwest white tail hunting There is not much out there explaining different style slings and shooting with them. Thank you so much Ron. Love ya 😘

[@rangerdanger766]

If it is a classic wood stock rifle, there is a super quick adjust leather sling made in Glasgow Mt. called Montana gun slings. Nothing but class and function. I have one on my BLR.

[@NELLY-jg2rx]

@@rangerdanger766 thanks! Its actually a Howa 1500 with the Houge over molded stock

[@kurtreinhardt6789]

Great little deer gun

[@merkysanchez5475]

I’ll catch it tonight!

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

A 2-7 Leupold( which I carry on my .308) might be perfect. A 4 power is a solid choice as well. I ve always sighted my rifles in at 33 yards. Shoot once, then adjust your dials X 3. That will put you close at 100 while wasting only 1 shot. I like 2-3 inches high at 100. That might put you -3 or so at 200 for a 30-30.👍 Great Video Ron.

[@popoisfat1]

Hey Ron, love the videos always very informative. I was wondering if you could do a video on what some one would need equipment wise to get into the hobby, 1000’s of videos on bullets, rifles, ect but not much out there for the new person looking to get into the hobby.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

H0pe to get started on that series this winter, Ben.

[@popoisfat1]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors Thank you :)

[@Trythis837]

Really good video

[@buckshot4428]

I sight my .30-30 about two inches high at 100 yds. and call it a day.

[@coreymerrill3257]

Hey Ron, get a piece of lambskin and rest your elbow on that, it will stop the abrasion to your elbow completely . I really appreciate your training people out of saying "point blank range " by showing the point blank range . I like what is being done to set the mindset for it too. By saying maximum point blank range , it gets people to think about it in the right context. A Very clever informational stepping stone!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks Corey. I have some pads for the elbow. Just forget to bring them out.

[@bdwilcox]

Most accurate hunting rifle I ever owned was a Browning BLR in .308 - sub-minute groups at 100 yards with factory ammo. Its action is very bolt-actions so I'm thinking that was the secret in the sauce.

[@rickwilkinson6942]

Picking up a Marlin 336 in two days. It came already scoped but I will probably upgrade it. Great info on zeroing at different distances. Hoping to take your chart out and see what I can do. As always your videos are very informative. Thanks again.

[@oncall21]

I'm also picking up a Marlin 336 in about a week also. I literally stumbled across it at my local gun shop before it was going to be uploaded for sale. It's a 'JM' too!

[@jessepitt]

@@oncall21. They are such good rifles for their intended range and purpose. I have a stainless 336 that is my go to for everything in the Pacific Northwest.

[@pisswhistle5306]

I got the best groups out my 30-30 with the Hornady Zombie max bullets. I wish they still made them. The Winchester ballistic Silvertips are a very accurate too.

[@joshroberts6357]

This is great stuff. Can you do a similar video with a 7 rem mag shooting 175 gr bullets?

[@merrilllewis3926]

Holy crap! I just put that banged up old front sight on the front end of the ruminant of choice and as long as I'm within the distance of two or three strides to the out house and they end up In The freezer. Not sure about all the other herkle jerkle regarding drops and point blankets but I think if yer front sight covers the shoulder area, why yer good to jack the lever.

[@chrischiampo7647]

On a Winchester Model 1894 Ron ? 😀😊

[@galenhisler396]

Hi Ron, I like a ivory front sight and Williams f.p peepsight on my winchester 30-30

[@JoeJohnson1]

Good details. Thanks. Yeah, I'm finding that I have to add scopes to everything now. I've even put a scope on the old Savage 99. :( I used to be good out to 300 yards open sights with it, more than a couple years ago. If you're zeroed at 200 yards, what's your drop at 300 yards?

[@user-vf3gf4xq3v]

I’ve always found that when you shoot a 100 yard bench zeroed 30-30 rifle off hand it will shoot higher off the shoulder at 100 than what it did from the bench. It’s not as prevalent with faster cartridges like 308. So I always finalize my zeros from the bench with some off hand shots to make sure they print on call at 100. The elevation difference is usually about 3 inches depending on the ammo. I use 150 grain hand loads that chrono about 2300 FPS.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

My 336 did what you describe, but only half as dramatically as you describe it, but after I had the magazine tube bobbed to half-length, it doesn't do that, anymore.

[@shanebenson1988]

loved this video, i just bought a Rossi R95 in 30-30! I will definitely be 0ing in at 160 when it comes in. Thanks for the advice. Do you have a similar video for a .270 win cartridge? What distance is best to 0 those in at? Mine is currently at 200, but would love to see the numbers explained by you. Thanks

[@jacob-tl3is]

My 464 with skinner peep sights shoots pretty nice groups. After watching your videos now I have to go and play with a different zero. The 160 and 200 look pretty versatile

[@donaldgillette4571]

Ron do a video on a 338 lapua. Im thinking about getting 1 for long distance and what yardage would you zero your rifle?

[@SolomonsOutdoorReviews]

I am using my 1917 British Enfield 303 to hunt deer this year… just for something different…. open sights

[@jerroldshelton9367]

That's what my son uses. Not a sporterized version, either, but one in full military dress.

[@jameshagerman7681]

I think you may find an aperture rear sight helps with eyes that are either aging or aren't great to begin with. As sacrilegious as it may be to say I think if you want to run an optic at .30-30 distances a red dot would not be out of place especially on the more tacticool lever actions floating around now (Marlin, Mossberg, and Henry all make one I believe.)

[@VexChoccyMilk]

I've been trying to find a tang-mounted peep sight for my 94, but the prices people want for some of those and current availability where I live it would cost less to buy another used 94!

[@daviddejong187]

I used to think that a scoped lever gun was blasphemy but now that I'm in my mid 70's I no longer think that way. I put a Leopold 1.5v4 on my 1895 45-70 CBA. Excellent combo IMO and I think I'll put the same scope on my 336 30-30. I love both of these rifles and because of my eyesight not shooting them is not an option

[@jamesparlane9289]

I have found the Hornady Lever Evolution ammo to be significantly more reliable and tighter grouping than others.

[@camwinston5248]

Reliable how ? They always go boom??? Or always expand well ..?

[@jamesparlane9289]

@@camwinston5248 Everything. Mostly tighter consistent groups. Not only that but if you use the same projectiles and the lever evolution powder reloads perform exactly the same as the factory ammo.

[@surrelljr]

I’ve been loading those and have had great performance. (Lever evolution 160 grain) Have mine sited in at 175 yards, which fulfills the purpose. The last cow elk I got was only about 25 yards so there was adequate expansion, minimal meat damage and she only made about a 30 yard run. Got a pronghorn antelope at about 250 yards and it did the job.

[@charlesmullins3238]

I wanna try sierra’s tipped gameking…I’m a big fan of 175 matchkings in my .308 gasser…run the 165 ftx in my marlin too ron….turns my old levergun into a flame thrower lol…thanks again….matt

[@briargoatkilla]

I shoot irons...but my 30-30 with 170 grain bullets shoots way high. Like 4 inches high at a hundred...barely on the paper at 50. Sights set as low as they'll go. Shoots 150's just fine. Henry all weather.

[@joethorn88]

I used this advice on my new “30-30”. I put together a 16” 300 blackout using Barnes 110 Gen Vortx at 2350 fps. 160 yard zero. I zeroed dead on at 25 yards. It’s 1.8 inches high at 100 and 3.0 inches low at 200.

[@bradbo3]

all my levers are scoped except the mossberg 464 tactical model...it has fiber optics which I can still see as I get older. I find peep types are still fine if the front post is fiber optic.

[@jacob-tl3is]

I will have to try a fiber optic on front. I have a peep rear on mine and solid black iron up front. Does well

[@benergish1206]

Does the all copper bullet expand ok moving so low? I thought they need to be going much faster to appropriately expand.

[@rolandsandoval7486]

Can you do a video on a scope mount and scope for a Winchester model 94 post 64?

[@sailormanoyster1849]

Quiet rifle, 👍

[@jaybailleaux630]

30-30 Lever actions is just plain nice hunting rifles. The 30-30 is good to 150yards maybe 200yards with modern performance ammo and an accurate Rifle. I have seen some amazing accuracy from a few lever actions wich is not the norm. One was a Winchester 16 inch barrel 44 magnum trapper that shot 1 inch 5 shot groups at a 100yards . Stupid crazy. Totally out of the norm for a lever action. The other was a 30-30 Marlin under 1inch 5 shot groups at a hundred yards . Just shows there are exceptions to the rules. Unfortunately I don't don't own either one of those rifles. If either one would have been for sale, I would have gave more for them than the retail price.

[@fishermandancrook]

Hi folks

[@burnsboysaresoldiers]

Hey Ron, Any experience with some leverlution hornady 160grain? out of my Savage 219 single shot with a 26inch barrel it is awesome!

[@robertchristie5015]

Hey Ron, I remember when I first started watching you you just got a crossbow. Any coming videos on that?

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Hope so. I've been learning it and hitting well to 50 yards, but so many projects on the agenda plus we suffered a range fire the burned up our hours yesterday. So now we have fencing repair added to the agenda... But I hope to get to that Nitro 505 crossbow video before Nov.

[@robertlemaster7525]

Ron, I know that I am not an official gun or shooting guru, but in my experience I have noticed an impact shift on my tube fed gun's between shooting with nothing in my tube magazine and when it's full of ammo. So I sight in with either live ammo or home made dummy rounds. Perhaps you can test this for one of your episodes.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

I notice a difference between shooting my Marlin 336 with a loaded mag tube, and no mag tube in the rifle at all. I had it slung over my shoulder as I was hopping from one boulder to the next along a nasty piece of trail. As I cleared the boulder garden and landed after leaping off the last one, one of my carbine band screws sheared and the mag tube shot itself out of the rifle. Now, up to then, it was a solid 2.5 MOA @100 yards rifle. But as a "single shot," it was stunningly precise. It took me a number of years to find a gunsmith willing to fix my rifle but I found one about the time that Hornady came out with the gummy-tip ammo. "I can fix it," he said. "I can put it back to factory new, but I'd really like to make it better." We were on the same page. He bobbed the magazine tube to half-length, button-style. We retained the rear carbine band but relieved it where it goes over the barrel. He put in a gummy-tip compatible follower. I glass-bedded the butt to the action. He had some cush buttpad "take off" from some Browning something-or-other that was a direct bolt on replacement for my shattered hard buttplate. With a scope mounted, it's under 1.5 MOA for four shots. I use a Lyman 66LA aperture sight with a Merit adjustable iris sighting disc screwed into it. I can keep it within 2.5 MOA out to 300 yards. That's about as well as I could shoot a National Match compliant AR-15 A2/A4. Making it more accurate wasn't really about hunting. It was always as accurate as it ever needed to be to cleanly kill game out to 250 yards or so. It was about making it more fun to shoot at the range. And it's so much fun now that it's really the only centerfire rifle I need. Back when my rifle had the full magazine tube, the groups it shot demonstrated vertical stringing. Now, with the mag tube bobbed, it shoots the same POI running round through the magazine as it does when loading them direct into the chamber.

[@carterthiessen2664]

Im not as concerned with energy as I am with velocity. Most rifle Bullets don't like opening up properly under 1800 or so fps. Bullets designed for the 30-30 are often optimized for slightly lower velocities though. My furthest 30-30 kill was only about 50 yards though so I'm not too worried. I use my 30-30 with open sights when I sit on my bow stands in rifle season. Otherwise I'll stick with my 270 or 6.5 creed for the open fields

[@jimdavis3273]

My 30-30 is an old Savage model 219 single shot. I was thinking about putting a scope on it but I just can't bring myself to do it.

[@harpintn]

I have a 3030 with see through sights. How much should I be shooting over at 100 yards to be close at 200 yards?

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

There he is sighting in uphill again.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Alan, I might have sighed with relief just a bit. Sorry. OK, just kidding. We excuse typos here. But as for sighting at a 5-degree uphill angle, the difference in drop at 250 yards is 0.05". At 1,000 yards it's a whopping 0.70". Also, the cost of bulldozing the hill level on my range is more than I care to bear. But thanks for your concern for accuracy and bringing angled shooting to our attention.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors I just have to say something about it 😛

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

@@NCWoodlandRoamer No problem. I understand the urge to be precise.

[@clintonlayne9253]

Ron I'm in the mood to hunt with my Winchester model 94 30/30 . It has open sights I pickup 2 boxes of Cartridges today. I also want to hunt with my Marlin 336 in 35 Remington which is scoped.last time I was at the range with both of these rifles they shot equally. at 50 yards.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Good luck. Let us know how you do.

[@clintonlayne9253]

Ron just received my east river tag in the mail today one more opportunity I now have 3 tags and waiting for a fourth. Then there's leftover Muzzleloader tags for Anterless whitetails.

[@ronnieb7408]

I had the see thru scope mounts that are around 2" height and a zero at 50 that made it good out to around 225 or 250yds.the see thru sights allow you to use the open sights to set the scope by in a rest.You can check it in the field that way also

[@meanman6992]

Do you think the new Ruger made Marlin 336, or the older ones are worth more monetarily?

[@user-ku3is1on8n]

SIERRA makes a 125 GR HP FN i bet it would work great for deer.

[@howarddeheer8295]

I wish they would let us use bottleneck cartridges during the regular deer seasons we do now have a late doe January season where we can use anything bigger than a 223 and up

[@ed5042]

I had just posted the following on your facebook page. Thought I would also post on this page to see responses. Using a lead sled I sighted in my 336 with Winchester 170 silver tips, old box. Three taps later I am centered wonderfully at 50 yards. I happen to carry along reloads my buddy loaded for me. He reloads for match competition and has a separate room for all his gear. We don't recall the bullet weight but they are soft point for a lever gun. I shot three rounds, thought I had missed until my buddies and I walked down range. Made a really nice 40 caliber hole. I stopped shooting not wanting to ruin the moment! The reloads actually grouped 1.75 inches higher , straight up, from the 170 Winchesters. I had a firm grip on the forestock , my buddies said the rifle never left the cradle. Anyone want to offer a reason for the height jump?

[@yamahondazuki95]

What was that scope dialing sequence? Lol I'm confused just watching

[@timhallas4275]

I learned that when my first shot is 2 inches high at 100 yards, don't adjust the scope, aim 2 inches higher. I have dropped more second rounds on the bullseye than I ever did by making small adjustments. This method works for every caliber at every distance as long as round number 2 is the same ballistics as round number 1.

[@FantomWireBrian]

A nice peep sight should be enough,but I'm not sure if it can be fit to a lever action. 😎

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Oh yes. Peeps are perfect for levers and many fit. Check out Skinner Sights for lots of options.

[@FantomWireBrian]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors Good to know . 👍👍😎

[@farmlandon9893]

I love the 3030

[@dleadbeater3055]

Can you talk about the rear sight a little more on a 30-30?

[@danielleclare2938]

Simple way to understand most scopes for zeroing..... for windage turning it clockwise screws in towards the left so does your POI. Elevation is same want to go down screw the turret in or clockwise and go up is reverse turn it out and it goes up! Dead simple. You dont have to look at the turret at all.

[@wes326]

I remember it by clockwise pushes the bullet and counterclockwise pulls the bullet. Thanks for sharing.

[@DanielBoone337]

Just out of curiosity what are you using to get your drops, drifts, and energy numbers from that you use in your videos??

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

shooterscalculator.com/ and/or www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmtraj-5.1.cgi sometimes www.hornady.com/team-hornady/ballistic-calculators/#!/

[@404nitro]

Great video once again Ron. That 1000 ft lb for deer number has always seemed arbitrary to me. Especially when you have some of the same guys making that claim also saying guns like a 357 mag handgun are enough for deer, or the fact that many states now allow air rifles for deer that carry nowhere near that amount of energy, yet still drop deer stone dead fairly readily. Shot placement with a bullet of proper design and sufficient velocity to drive it deep enough to reach the vitals is all that matters IMO. Energy doesn't kill anything. A hole in the vitals does. If energy was the main ingredient, we could all use FMJ bullets of the same weight as our expanding bullets since they both carry the same energy, and save from ruining any extra meat.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Right on 404!

[@eyandetmer1925]

Can you do a video on 308 and 338 marlin express cartridges

[@warrenlathrop6296]

For my 30-30 three inches high at 100 yards works best and you data agrees with that. But why are you making adjustments on one shot groups? Two at least that hit close together to know it is not just that you missed and three shot groups and adjust to the center of them not one particular bullet hole. A really good shot can have confidence in one shot but most of us viewers are not as good a shot as a pro and need to take that into account.

[@Trythis837]

Nobody should adjust the scope on a 2 moa rifle 3/4 of an moa based on the impact of one shot. That’s one thing that’s been driving me insane about these sighting in videos. A mossberg .30-30 isn’t a benchrest rifle.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

You also have to take into account your rifle's inherent precision (accuracy) i.e. how tightly does it group shots. Yes, the 3-shot group and adjusting from its center is the safer way to go.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

@@Trythis837 But this rifle has grouped MOA for me, Cody. And I'm not adjusting my final zero to a one-shot group. I agree I could expound upon this better, so will in future. Thanks.

[@Trythis837]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors maybe watch that video yourself again. After the first shot you turned your scope down 3 clicks which I assume is 3/4” and the next shot hit 2 moa lower and 2 moa right which an moa rifle shouldn’t do because that would make it not an moa rifle. Then you adjust 3 clicks left and it hit around 1 1/2 moa left then you adjust two clicks up, say you’re out of ammunition and leave it.

[@Trythis837]

@@RonSpomerOutdoors I just don’t understand why you turned it down 3 clicks if you were just going to turn it back up 2 clicks and put the gun away?

[@tomray4139]

Will my Winchester Legacy with a 26" long barrel provide more velocity and possibly more accuracy?