.35 Remington LeverEvolution ammo test

Previously in this BLOG, I was going to test .35 Remington Lever evolution ammo, and after reading about some problems with this ammo, decided against it. That was then, and this is NOW, as my kids were always fond of telling me when they were growing up.

See my first post on the .35 Rem back on 8/11/2008. The difficulties surrounding the .35 Remington version of Hornady's Lever evolution ammo primarily consisted of, some guys having feeding problems with that round. Later I realized that replacing the magazine follower seems to rectify that situation. There was also an issue with repeated trips afield where one would load the magazine chamber a round and then after the hunt, unload the rifle. Apparently this caused further feeding ramp problems after the rounds had been worked through  the action a few times. The second situation involved a point of impact difference between the Lever evolution ammo and the traditional 200 grain slugs from Federal, Remington etc. One report I read, showed an 11 inch difference in point of impact between the 200 grain Remington Corelokt and the Hornady 200 grain FTX load.

ORIGINAL magazine follower:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=428949

Wild West Guns magazine follower:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=749248

I will address both of these situations through my own Marlin Model 336 rifle. The rifle is currently sighted in with Federal 200 grain Power Shoks.

As mentioned in a more recent post for the .35 Rem, I had pretty much settled on this load for its accuracy. Unfortunately, after trying at least 7 different outlets, I realized this ammo is in very short supply. It was back ordered with a late October date for being able to ship any Federal rounds.

To settle the first issue of feeding problems, I decided to run a magazine load through my gun (4) consecutive times with the same rounds to see if it was a problem. Forum's on the subject seemed to indicate mixed results and it might be a hit and miss problem as a lot of guys reported absolutely NO problems and others, warned against purchasing the Hornady ammo. I have had NO  problems at all with the Lever evolution ammo in my Model 1895 45-70.

I ran one single round through the .35 Rem action (5) consecutive times in a row. Feeding was as smooth as glass and ejection was flawless. I then ran (4) rounds through the gun consecutively several times and again function was smooth and flawless. I have to conclude that for my particular rifle, the feeding problem situation does not exist.

I plan on going to the local rifle range tomorrow and try some live fire and sight the rifle in at 25 yards, and then test point of impact at 75 yards and 150 yards, and if time and weather permit, perhaps a couple of rounds at the 200 mark.

FIRST a little information on the two rounds:

BOTH the federal and the Hornady Lever evolution rounds are 200 grains

Federal 200 grain power shok muzzle velocity 2080 fps/  ME 1921/  BC .195

Hornady 200 grain FTX muzzle velocity 2225 fps/ ME 2198 / BC .300

Sectional density for both rounds is rated .223

The Hornady round then leaves the gate about 145 fps faster than the Federal round, with a better ballistic coefficient.

Let's look at the range testing:

I sighted the gun in first at 25 yards. I only had to move the windage 4 clicks to the left. My scope is a Simmons Master series 1.5X5X32 Pro Diamond with an illuminated reticle. The scope has 1/2 min clicks.

I ended up with the point of impact at 25 yards close to dead center and perhaps 1/2 inch low. I then took one shot at 75 yards and realized I over adjusted at 25. My elevation was okay, however I was 1 3/4 inches left of center. I adjusted for windage back to the right and raised the elevation (4) clicks or 2 inches at 100 yards.

The top left target is at 100 yards with the final shot being dead center and exactly 2 inches high. The top right target is at 150 yards with no further adjustment. Both shots are exactly 1/2 inch high. I did not end up trying any shots at 200 yards as there was a fairly stiff breeze right to left on the range flags.

My observations:

Feeding and ejection was smooth and flawless

Trajectory is certainly flatter than the run of the mill 200 grain Corelokts, Power Shoks, etc. I am not sure what rifle was being tested when I read the article concerning an 11 inch difference in point of impact at 100 yards between 200 grain Remington Corelokts and the 200 grain Hornady FTX load.

My point of impact change at 100 yards between the Federal power Shocks and the Hornady Lever Evolution loads was on the order of 2 1/2 inches.

In closing this is NOT a critisicm of the Federal loads, as they were more accurate than the Hornady FTX loads in my gun. The Federal's produced a 3 shot group at 100 yards that basically cut one ragged hole. The Hornady rounds shoot flatter,  hits a little harder and certainly passed the "palm of the hand test" out to 150 yards. They were also a buck or two cheaper per box of 20 than the Federal loads. They are also IN STOCK at most outlets and the Federals are NOT.

Overall I am very pleased with the performance of the Lever Evolution ammo out of my Marlin model 336 lever action rifle.

As soon as I have a $100 bill that doesn't have a particular place to go, I plan on having a Wild West Happy Trigger insalled on the .35 Rem. It will probably shave an inch or so off the groups show here.

Dan

I John 1:9  NIV  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness"