Does anyone have any info/thoughts on the Micro-Groove rifling on early 1990's Marlin lever actions? I have read where Marlin tried this type of rifling to improve accuracy and later switched back to Ballard rifling because of handloaders (not supposed to use cast bullets in this type of barrel) Any info would be appreciated.

I owned an 1895 with microgroove in the early 90's. I shot great with 350 grain Hornady's.

I really don't think there is anything wrong with the microgroove barrels. I thought the switch was for cast bullets in Cowboy Action Levers.

I traded the rifle for a Colt Officers ACP. I still miss the rifle, especially in the timber when elk hunting.

i too have a 1895ss i cut it back too 18.5" I too use the 350 Hornady FN with excellent results with RL 7 at 2000 FPS. on moose and bear. I also have a Guide Gun and shoot Hard Cast 350 FNGC in it due to the Ballard Deep Rifiling. The Micro Groove shoots OK as long as clean the bore real good before shooting and size the bullets at .459.

My early 70's vintage 1895 has micro groove rifling and shoots jacketed and gas-checked cast very well. Plainbase cast loads don't shoot as well as gaschecked ones in my gun. If I was going to get one to shoot mild/plinking loads with lead then I would get one with regular (Ballard) rifling. If you want it for use with gaschecked bullets or jacketed, I don't think it matters.
Wren

We also have the 1895SS with MG and the 1895G with conventional rifling. Both shoot cast bullets very well with gas checks as well as jacketed. I have not tried non-checked bullets so cannot comment, but we had no trouble at all working up good and fast lead loads in the MG barreled SS.

mhabby,
I have a 1979 vintage 1895 (strait grip w/out cross-bolt safety). Later in 1980 Marlin introduced a pistol-grip "Sporter" version - the 1895S and later in 1984 added the cross-bolt safety - calling this one the 18895SS (sporter safety = "SS"?).

Wrt rifling - the first ones were 8 groove Ballard styled and most of these usually have the more classic thinner forend wood. Then Marlin came out with a very few micro-groove 16-groove barrels - a friend had one. Then the 12-groove barrels were the rule afterwards until just several years ago when they returned to the Ballard configuration.

Mine is a 12 groove barrel and shoots hard-cast gas-checked and jacketed bullets both very well. I was reminded of this last time at the range. I cast my own and my favorite mold is the RCBS 45-405 FNGC cast with half WW - half lino for a decently hard bullet. I use Javelina NRA successfully at just over 1800 fps if I remember correctly. Otherwise for jacketed loads, I will use the Speer JFN 400 grn over H322 with a F210 or WLR primer. Either of these will print into less than 1 MOA consistantly. Last time at the range I was shooting another load - a friend's favorite Texas deer load - the Hornady 300 grn JHP over H4198 ignited by a CCI primer. These never shot for me several years back so I put them away. Well last year I changed scope, rings & base over to all Leupold. I shot these 300 grn HP's again last month and they were cloverleafing! What a pleasant surprise. Guess the old scope or base had issues.

Hope this helps
Jeff P

There have been many comments of poor accuracy with the microgroove. However they can be very accurate but because the rifling is shallow certain things are more critical. First you must match bullet hardness with velocity. Second you must have the right diameter bullet.Too soft and even slightly undersize and you won't get the accuracy.

I have an early 90's Marlin 1895SS with the micro groove barrel. It shoots cast bullets very well. I cast mine with Lyman #2 alloy and use RCBS 45-405 and 45-300 moulds. It seems that bullets with a long bearing surface will do alright in micro groove barrels-at least that's what I've seen in the literature.

Take a look at this ... you might find it useful
http://www.schuetzen.net/marlin.htm