The Late, Unlamented .307 Winchester


.307 Winchester Cartridge

Q: My uncle just gave me a Marlin Model 336-ER chambered for the .307 Winchester cartridge. He told me that the .307 is in a class ahead of the .30-30 and in the .308’s performance class. If this is true, why have Winchester and Marlin stopped making guns for it?

Can you give me some velocity and energy figures for the factory 150gn .307 loading over 300 yards. Also what will the trajectory be like if I sight-in 2-1/2 inches high at 100 yards? Are loading dies available for the .307 Win? Can you suggest a good load with the 130 and 150gn Speer bullets for pigs and deer?Vince Patrick

A: By a strange coincidence, a friend of mine just bought an early Marlin 336 in .30-30 that he is having restocked and rechambered for the .307 Win. The .307 is simply a rimmed .308 and for reloading you’ll need a .308 die set and a .30-30 shellholder. With Speer 130gn and 150gn bullets W-748 gives the highest velocity and good accuracy.

Try working up to 48gn with the 130gn bullet and 44gn with the 150gn for muzzle speeds of about 2760fps and 2560fps. Sighted-in 2-1/2″ high at 100yds, the 150gn bullet is still 2″ high at 150, zeroed at 200 and drops 12″ at 300. Remaining velocity is: 2325 fps at 100, 1928 at 200 and 1578 at 300. Energy is: 2545 ft/lb at the muzzle, 1801 at 100, 1238 at 200 and 830 at 300 yd. I guess Winchester and Marlin stopped chambering for the .307 because it wasn’t selling against the “good ole thutty-thutty.” Don’t ask me why, since the .307 is a much better performer.

 

 

 


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Nick Harvey

The late Nick Harvey (1931-2024) was one of the world's most experienced and knowledgeable gun writers, a true legend of the business. He wrote about firearms and hunting for about 70 years, published many books and uncounted articles, and travelled the world to hunt and shoot. His reloading manuals are highly sought after, and his knowledge of the subject was unmatched. He was Sporting Shooter's Technical Editor for almost 50 years. His work lives on here as part of his legacy to us all.

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