why are marlin lever actions so accurate

[carbluesnake]

I was initially surprised at the accuracry of a 336 marlin in 30/30 in 1970. Groups of 1 1/4" at 100 yds. with a 4X scope. I did not think that lever guns could be that accurate back then. Since then, I have never known a marlin not to be surprisingly accurate. So, the question is why. Is it the attention to fitting these guns or microgroove barrels, or something else?

[C. Cash]

Something that occurred to me recently, based on my experience with only ONE Marlin, is that they have nice triggers and faster lock time than the Win. 94. The micro groove rifling seems no hindrance either as Pope used the same rifling style in his barrels. So, well made, good triggers, accurate barrels and fast lock time.

[Old Savage]

Good question I have seen enough sub inch and some sub half inch from various calibers to wonder myself.

[plowboy 45]

The Winchester shooters are takin it easy on you marlin shooters
Pullin off just a little as not to embarrass them marlins




















Calm down just kiddin

[Griff]

The Winchester shooters are takin it easy on you marlin shooters
Pullin off just a little as not to embarrass them marlins

Calm down just kiddin

Why?... that's what I do. 'Sides, anyone that shoots such an ugly gun, needs a lil' confidence booster!

[.45colt]

I don't know if You saw this or not, been a few years. with the Remington 250's mine shoots Great. .http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... 98#p429598

[Pete44ru]

.


What I personally find curious is that every Marlin I've ever owned (a couple of dozen), NONE of them showed any better accuracy when I went from a receiver peep sight to whatever scope on them.


.

[KirkD]

Well, I have an original Winchester rifle made in 1903, a Winchester Carbine named 'Old Savage' made in 1954, and a Marlin 336 Carbine made in 1957, and I would have to say that the Marlin is an unusually good tack driver, at least with jacketed bullets. With cast bullets, my Winchesters do better, however, I'm ordering a mould that will let me size to .311 for the Marlin's micro-groove rifling. I expect its performance with cast bullets sized to .311 will at least equal the two Winchesters. Here is a typical Marlin 336 30-30 target ...

[Dave]

Marlins can be amazingly accurate. This is my 336 at 200 yards. It shot two, two shot groups that look identical inside an inch. I was stunned. That gun has always been a very good shooter.

[Blaine]

Many moons ago, I shot my 336 30wcf in the Ranch Dog Postal Match....I can't find the pic, but it was a .49" @ 50yds iron sights (ghost ring w/green HiViz front).....This was letting the bbl cool between shots. When the bbl gets hot, it strings vertically.

My Marlin 444 shoots about that good if I take care.

The 1894 .44 mag....meh, not so much.

I no longer have the 1895 CB, or the Guide Gun, but they both shot better than I could hold 'em....

I might add that my 1951 Winchester 94 shoots into a inch at 50 yards not trying very hard.

[Streetstar]

I am very happy with my Guide Gun's accuracy too --- off a bench it thumps me hard enough that i pull it a little bit with some loads , -- but i have seen 1.5" groups -- which i am more than happy with for shooting a huge projectile under a good head of steam

OTOH, I had a Marlin 94 44 MAg that would have been better utilized as either a fence post, - or turn it around and use the buttstock as a shovel --- I sold it at a price that reflected how bad it was --
I would've kept it a few more years if i knew that people would be paying 850-1k for them now though

[Alan in Vermont]

"Why are marlin lever actions so accurate?"

They may well be that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

But they make up for it by being butt ugly.

[KirkD]

"Why are marlin lever actions so accurate?"

They may well be that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

But they make up for it by being butt ugly.

By gum, if my Marlin in the photo below is ugly, then beautiful has got to be amazing ..

[Canuck Bob]

Because lever action riflemen are such good shots, of course.

[Canuck Bob]

You nailed it Kirk and a guy could hardly call you a Winchester basher. My tired 444S with the slim forearm like yours and short magazine is a pretty rifle, much prettier than any bolt action. It scopes like a charm and snow never drops in the action. To be fair my 94 32 Special is just as pretty and a fine shooter.

"Why are marlin lever actions so accurate?"

They may well be that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

But they make up for it by being butt ugly.

By gum, if my Marlin in the photo below is ugly, then beautiful has got to be amazing ..

[OldWin]

I've got three Marlins that come to mind as good shooters. Only one, however is Micro Groove. That one is a '72 1895 in 45-70.
The other two are a case colored 1936 in 32WS and an 1889 rifle with a 2/3 magazine in 38-40.

I've had plenty of Winchesters that are as good or better shooters than Marlins. I think where Marlin has the edge is with carbines. I think the front end is less affected by heat and vibration.

Just my idiot opinion though.

[AJMD429]

By gum, if my Marlin in the photo below is ugly, then beautiful has got to be amazing ..

Not only is that gun beautiful (like many other Marlins...and Winchesters), but your photography makes it even better. Too bad the 'heyday' of levergun-catalogs has passed; you could have had a full-time job taking cover-shots for them.

[Panzercat]

Just curious, whats the going rate on a JM stamped 1895 45-70 blued guide gun?

[vancelw]

Just curious, whats the going rate on a JM stamped 1895 45-70 blued guide gun?

Lordy who knows? I see them for $500-575 a lot at guns shows but on Facebook I see crazy asking prices and Gunbroker, too.

[GonnePhishin]

KirkD Really nice looking Marlin

[Streetstar]

Just curious, whats the going rate on a JM stamped 1895 45-70 blued guide gun?

Lordy who knows? I see them for $500-575 a lot at guns shows but on Facebook I see crazy asking prices and Gunbroker, too.

Yes --- the golden rule is to ask $900 in case there is a fool with money that comes ambling along (but then be ready to take $550 or so from it if it doesnt sell in a couple months )

But seriously, i listed mine for 800 bucks on Armslist and had a guy dialled in to take it home for $725 -- in typical Armslist fashion, the prospective buyer never showed up
---- and in the meantime i posted up a "Should i or shouldnt I" thread here , and this group of enablers talked me into keeping it.
$725 would have been top top dollar in my estimation, but as i was wiping it down , i thought about the great days afield it has been with me over the past few years, plus i thought about the easy shooting manners it had -- i like the factory FTX load and in that gun , it gives a nice gentle shove -- the ports on mine do what they are supposed to do and keep the muzzle down for fast repeat shots --- IT has been a great rifle

----- so after i got stood up on the purchase i took the ad down --- I was low on money at the time, but i decided i'd rather eat beans and rice, and explain to the IRS why their payment is late, - than sell that particular rifle

Not as pretty as Kirk's, - and my photog skills are pretty shaky too , but here's a pic of it "naked" and another outfitted for the field (it usually wears a thick leather sling too ) --- The carrying handle is a bit big for the rifle , but it sure shoots good so i havent messed with it

[JB]

I have never known a marlin not to be surprisingly accurate.

I've known a few. Shoot enough and you'll find some as well.

[sore shoulder]

I sold a stainless JM guide gun on Armslist for the asking price of $850 no questions asked

[cas]

Shortened Guide Gun with a 2x scout scope. Never bother to see what it would do with a proper rifle scope.

[3leggedturtle]

Because those that own them are very good, accurate rifleman! But the weird part is, shooting my 1895SS, it would group 1 1/2" at 100 hundred yards, when I put a peep it didnt improve any over the open sights. Same issue at 50 yards.