YEAH! Found MY straight stocked Marlin

[Goat]

I just won an auction for a used straight stocked Marlin 336 with the square lever. Nothing in the photo says "Texan" nor does it say 336T on the bbl. It is a pre safety gun with the 20" bbl in 30/30. When it arrives I will be sending it off to have it re-bored to 38/55. I will likely use the guy from the Marlinowners site,JES Re-boring. If anyone has another gunsmith I should consider please speak up!

[Hobie]

Doesn't have to say "T" to be one. Mine is just like that one. Jesse Ocumpaugh has a fine reputation. I recommend that you get the .375 bore not the .378-.381 that the factories do. It sure is easier to get, make, find bullets for the newer bore standard.

[Goat]

Thanks Hobie, I plan to do just as you suggested and have it bored .375. I'll probably try some of the Hornady 220gr. bullets first then venture in on cast bullets. I will likely try some of the bullets by the guy that goes by "Stonefence"on the MarlinOwners site as well.
Goat

[salvo]

Congrats Goat!
I picked up a 1969 Texan in 30-30. It has got to be one of the most accurate leverguns I own. You may not want to shoot it first, cause if it is as accurate as mine I'm afraid you would have a very hard time messing with it

[Hobie]

Thanks Hobie, I plan to do just as you suggested and have it bored .375. I'll probably try some of the Hornady 220gr. bullets first then venture in on cast bullets. I will likely try some of the bullets by the guy that goes by "Stonefence"on the MarlinOwners site as well.
Goat

Skip the Hornady 220s, in .38-55 brass they don't chamber unless seated deep or used in .30-30 cases blown out. Get Dave's bullets, they're great bullets at a reasonable price. I think they are better than Barnes.

[1886]

Thanks Hobie, I plan to do just as you suggested and have it bored .375. I'll probably try some of the Hornady 220gr. bullets first then venture in on cast bullets. I will likely try some of the bullets by the guy that goes by "Stonefence"on the MarlinOwners site as well.
Goat

Skip the Hornady 220s, in .38-55 brass they don't chamber unless seated deep or used in .30-30 cases blown out. Get Dave's bullets, they're great bullets at a reasonable price. I think they are better than Barnes.

Hobie, Will they, the 220s, chamber when seated in the Starline brass? I am assuming you are referring to the W/W brass. Thanks, 1886.

[1886]

Goat, Congrats. by the way! 1886.

[Hobie]

Thanks Hobie, I plan to do just as you suggested and have it bored .375. I'll probably try some of the Hornady 220gr. bullets first then venture in on cast bullets. I will likely try some of the bullets by the guy that goes by "Stonefence"on the MarlinOwners site as well.
Goat

Skip the Hornady 220s, in .38-55 brass they don't chamber unless seated deep or used in .30-30 cases blown out. Get Dave's bullets, they're great bullets at a reasonable price. I think they are better than Barnes.

Hobie, Will they, the 220s, chamber when seated in the Starline brass? I am assuming you are referring to the W/W brass. Thanks, 1886.

My chamber is a correct .38-55 chamber but with a .375 bore. With the bullet seated to crimp on the cannelure in either the long or short .38-55 brass the bullet sticks too far into the lead and the cartridge will not chamber. One can finagle with the blown out .30-30 cases (shorter yet) and maybe the .375 Win cases to use the 220s. However, the reason for the 220s is a max effort load. Since I can use 255 gr. bullets at 2000 fps from my Contender, why would I bother with the 220s. Yes, I shot some. That's why when I gave the remainder away (to somebody on this forum) only a little more than one-half the box was left. I didn't think the accuracy was up there either.

BTW, Dave Deering's bullets are the best, especially for the price, .38-55 bullets I've seen. Click on his logo...

[1886]

I ask because problems usually arise in the .38-55 with the .378-9" groove diameter while trying to use the W/W .38-55 brass. The Marlin CB is a good example, proper chamber and groove dimensions but the W/W brass features case necks that are too thick. Starline brass utilizes correct dimensions. Do not want to take this too far off topic. Thanks, 1886.