[Flat Top]

Well, its been sometime since I reported on the mighty SG 35 modification in my Marlin 336 (XLR). I have developed a near final load for North American hunting, and I am very pleased with the results so far.

Safari 260 grain bullet, 46.8 grains of H335, Rem cases, and Federal 210M primers gave me 2380 fps (chrono is set at 15 ft from the muzzle). This load develops 3270 ft lbs (TKO 31), and 1808 fps and 1887 ft lbs at 200 yards.

Using a central mass kill zone sight in (zero at 170 yards), the overall trajectory to 200 yards is 4.78"..........2.35" high, and 2.43" low in relation to line of sight.

The last group I shot was at 25 yards under a slight breeze from the left and at 40 degrees F. This is about the best I could do with a 2.5X scope and my old eyes. The vertical measurement is .187 and the horizontal is .310 (conditions and sighting error). I would surmise that this will be an easy -1" shooter at 100 yards.

As most who have followed this modification know, I have pushed this bullet to 2455 fps in my rifle. The above load is economical, easy to shoot (low recoil) and control, yet delivers enough get up and go to take any large game animal in North America.

All that is left to do now is load up, sight in, and go hunting.

 

[RB Rider]

Yow! I guess low recoil is relative here. That bad boy eclipses the 9.3x57 by a hefty margin, and it's a real shooter too. Great job Flat Top!

 

[Flat Top]

RB; At max loading it surpasses the famed 318 Nitro Express (Westley Richards). Not bad for an outdated deer cartridge! :biggrin: Just goes to show that the 35 Rem has a lot left if taken to the limit of its ballistic capabilities. The cool thing about it is...its in a Marlin lever gun!!!

 

[RB Rider]

Yes indeed, that is a package of power...and goes to show how much is left on the table by factory ammo. You've cleaned the table off, and I believe ya took the dang lantern too!

 

[Oberhaz]

Well done Flat Top! Very impressive results. Long live the 35 Remington!

 

[bbri4570]

Very cool!

 

[erimort]

Way to go flattop!!

 

[Flat Top]

When time permits I will finalize the 260 at 2450 fps load...3464 ft lbs with a TKO of 32. I will never use this load, but, I think it is necessary to do so for finality of the modification. My next little project will be a Safari 310 grain bullet. I hope to get somewhere in the neighborhood of 2250+ fps (3484 ft lbs, TKO 35)....a "brush buster" supreme!

 

[Salmoneye]

As always. simply stunning...

We will need a pic of the 310gr when you get it finished...

 

[Flat Top]

Here is the 260 and a sample 310 for the mold maker.... the 310 is just a lengthened 260...basic shape/meplat/ogive, etc, is the same.

The 260 has a SD of .2898 and a BC of .3240
The 310 will have a SD of .3455 and a BC of .3700

The 310 comes in well below the maximum limits for weight and length for the 1-16 twist so it should fly true...but of course only time will tell. My hopes are high!

When I did the SG modification on my rifle, I had every intention of testing a bullet beyond the 260 grain weight, so, I modified my rifle to accept the 260 at a minimum COL of 2.500 as the standard COL and bullet weight for the modification, yet, I can shoot the longer 310 with a minimum COL of 2.700. This allows for a freebore of .200 or so for the 260 which can be driven hard and fast at reduced pressure, or allow the heavy 310 to be pushed at a decent velocity for improved heavyweight bullet performance.....as I stated above I would like to see at least 2250 fps from the 310. Also, OEM COL rounds can be shot in the same rifle with excellent success....have been there done that with both the SG444 and the SG35.

Although the 260 will probabaly get done anything that needs be done, I would really like a 310 to use in some of my hunting spots...which are very thick/dense......thus it would be my brush buster for those situations...

 

[Flat Top]

..............I should have included this photo in my last post. Gives you a better idea of what the loaded cartridges look like...........

 

[JACKTW]

As always Flat Top, impressive stuff with top notch reporting. Either of those bullets would render a powerful punch on large heavy game within 200YDS.

Do I sense a trophy Moose or Elk hunt in the near future? :biggrin:

Jack

 

[Flat Top]

I was offered an elk hunt just recently, but, I have to work during the dates of the hunt:vollkommenauf:...maybe some day!!!

Yup, the SG 35 has exceeded my wildest dreams.:marchmellow: I knew the SG modification to a 35 Rem would be good...but this good was a pleasant surprise. There is now no doubt in my mind that the SG 35 can "decisively" take just about anything that walks. If I can get the 310 grain bullet to the performance levels I expect, that will be the icing on cake!!!:biggrin:

 

[Bob Cantner]

Well Said. Nothing more to add.

 

[Dirty_Harry]

Wow, impressive. You should start a business and sell your SG upgrades!

 

[Flat Top]

Wow, impressive. You should start a business and sell your SG upgrades!

Maybe some day, but right now I want to insure that everything is 100% safe and reliable. The SG 444 has gone through some very extensive testing...over 4000 rounds worth, and I would trust it with my life. The SG 35 still has a ways to go yet, and I want it to meet the standards that I set forth for the SG 444. I have already had numerous requests for SG modified Marlins..... the interest is there, its just a matter of getting everything finalized, and then I should be good to go.

 

[Dirty_Harry]

I would send my 35 to you! Heck I wouldnt even need the 450 anymore!

Sorry! I should be ashamed of myself, I really would need 2 more 450's!

 

[JACKTW]

I was offered an elk hunt just recently, but, I have to work during the dates of the hunt:vollkommenauf:...maybe some day!!!

Yup, the SG 35 has exceeded my wildest dreams.:marchmellow: I knew the SG modification to a 35 Rem would be good...but this good was a pleasant surprise. There is now no doubt in my mind that the SG 35 can "decisively" take just about anything that walks. If I can get the 310 grain bullet to the performance levels I expect, that will be the icing on cake!!!:biggrin:

Hey Flat Top, maybe one of these years we can schedule an Elk hunt together out west. I'm sure we'd have a heck of a good time together and maybe we can prove old guys rule with Marlin Lever Rifles. :biggrin:

Jack

 

[GaCop]

Excellent! And as always, informative! :congrats:

 

[dpe.ahoy]

With that 310 bullet, the ol 35 looks like it over-dosed on Viagra. Thanks for the update FT! DP