I would like to have a Marlin in .375win. How difficult/expensive would it be to rebarrel a .30-30? Any suggestions on who could do the work on the West coast?

[ 04-30-2003, 12:54: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

I'm anything but a riflesmith, but I thought I'd respond and at least bring this one back to the top where maybe someone with some useful information would see it.

My thought is that, unlike most rebarreling jobs, you might be better served by reboring and rechambering the original barrel. This would save you the cost of custom-contouring a new barrel and making the dovetail cuts for attaching the magazine and sights (as well as keeping your Marlin more authentic.) Just a thought, but I think I'd contact a barrel reborer to see if they can do the job.

Don't forget that Marlin will also rebarrel their own guns for a VERY reasonable price. A friend had an older (late 70's) 1895 rebarrelled with a new cowboy octagon barrel and they charged him some rediculous price that was well under $100! Did he go wrong? I don't believe he did. They even threw in a new forend!
Jeff P

Thanks guys, I didn't think of contacting Marlin.

Reboring is too expensive for the run of the mill barrel. If it was an ireplaceable antique or something with built in ribs, you might consiter it. Otherwise forget it. Labor is too expensive today for it to be a viable alternative. Fifty years ago it was a different story.

[ 05-01-2003, 02:27: Message edited by: scot ]

For all the tinkering that this conversion would take what I would do is just dump the 30/30 and buy an original. Marlin as you may know made around 16k of these rifles from '80-'83. The link below is for one currently up marlin 375 for sale on Gunsamerica.

Gabe

The only problem w/ buying one of the originals is they have a 3/4 mag. but Borchman could fit me w/ a full mag. Maybe I'll just get a .45-70 guide instead?

[ 05-01-2003, 23:17: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

I found the email from my friend...

Hello Jeff

I finally caught my friend home. The person to talk to at Marlin is Tim (sorry no last name), who is in charge of customer service. Do not talk to ladies in customer service as they will give you the runaround. The last rifle my friend sent in cost.

30 labor
35 bbl
6.95 shipping
71.95 total cost

They also replaced magazine tube and forearm at no extra cost

I hope this information helps.

...like I said an obscene deal!

JP

Thanks Pfeifer